Martin Lewis has advised mobile phone users to dial a five-digit code and screenshot the result, as phone thefts rise by 40% with criminals targeting financial data. The money-saving expert shared the tip during an episode of his ITV show, urging viewers to act immediately to protect their devices and bank accounts if stolen.
Dial *#06# and save your IMEI
Speaking on the Martin Lewis Money Show Live, Lewis said: "Mobile security tips - thefts are up 40% in London but they're going up right across the country too. Now the crucial thing, they're not just trying to nick your phone, some of them are trying to access your financial data from your phone. You have to protect yourselves on this, folks."
He advised viewers to dial *#06# to display their phone's IMEI number, then screenshot and save it. "That is what you're gonna need to give to police if your phone is stolen. Screen grab it and assuming you can access your email not just on your phone, I would just email it to yourself so you've got a copy somewhere," he added.
Activate tracking and biometrics
Lewis recommended setting up remote tracking apps like Find My on Apple, SmartThings on Samsung, or Find My Device on Google's Android to locate a stolen handset. He also urged users to suspend any payments and activate biometric sign-in, such as fingerprint ID, on both phones and banking apps.
Turn off lock screen notifications
Finally, he stressed that "possibly the most important" tip is ensuring two-factor authentication codes do not appear on the lock screen. "Many people have that appear on their lock screen so when your phone's locked, the code still appears. You don't want that. It means if someone gets your phone they can get the code. So what you need to do to stop that is turn off your 'preview notifications'. It will still tell you you've had a message but it won't tell you your code on your message. Everybody, please do that one. It's a nightmare if you've not done it," he said.
The episode from March 11, 2025, remains available on ITVX. The new series of The Martin Lewis Money Show Live returns to ITV1 and ITVX on Tuesday, October 13 at 7:15pm.
