06-05-2025
Martin Lewis encourages mobile phone users to dial five-digit code ASAP
The money expert says this code could secure your phone from potential theft.
Martin Lewis is encouraging everyone who owns a mobile phone to dial a five-digit code into their keypad as soon as possible. The money expert said that punching in these numbers and symbols can help secure your mobile from thieves, reported Birmingham Live.
Lewis said: 'Mobile security tips - thefts are up 40 per cent 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.
He continued: 'You have to protect yourselves on this, folks. Dial *#06# to get your IMEI image then screengrab and save it."
An IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is a unique 15-digit serial number that identifies a mobile phone or device.
It's used by mobile network operators to authenticate and track devices, and can also be used to block a stolen phone.
Lewis says that knowing this number will be crucial if your phone ever gets stolen, and that you should give your IMEI number to the police if you find yourself in this situation.
The expert continued: "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 explained: "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."
And Martin Lewis isn't the only one warning people to obtain their IMEI number as soon as possible.
On Reddit, one user echoed the warning, and said: "Take a screenshot now of your IMEI number and back it up online.
"It will be a lifesaver if you need future tech support and your phone won't turn on.
"Settings>About phone>Status I'm dealing with my wife's bootlooping Nexus 5x and wishing she had done this earlier."
A second said: "This is a very good LPT. While flashing I accidentally wiped everything.
"When I reloaded the software, I needed to provide the IMEI to get my phone signal back.
"Thankfully I had the phone's original box to get the IMEI number. But it was a very painful process of trying to find the box."
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