Martin Lewis has issued an urgent plea for smartphone users to change a key setting and send a five-digit code to protect their devices from thieves. The money-saving expert appeared on the Martin Lewis Money Show Live, where he advised viewers on simple steps to prevent bank account theft if their phone is stolen.
Lewis recommended dialling *#06# to retrieve the phone's unique IMEI number, which should be screenshotted and kept safe. This code can be provided to police if the phone is stolen, enabling them to block the device. He also stressed the importance of turning off preview notifications on the lock screen, as these can display sensitive codes sent by banks or other services.
“Biometrics to open your phone isn’t enough,” Lewis said. He advised using fingerprint or face ID for both unlocking the phone and accessing banking apps. Additionally, he urged users to download tracking apps: “Find My Device” for Apple or “SmartThings” for Android, which allow remote location and disabling of payments.
The advice comes amid rising mobile phone theft, particularly in London, where around 80,000 handsets were stolen last year, according to Metropolitan Police data. MPs on the Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee have written to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, criticising tech companies for failing to prevent stolen phones from being used abroad.
Lewis’s recommendations aim to reduce the risk of thieves accessing personal information and financial accounts, even if the phone is physically taken. He emphasised that while these measures may not stop a phone from being sold on, they significantly lower the chances of data compromise.
