Mobile phones can help to keep people safe, but there is an accompanying threat of theft to youngsters in particular. In all our markets we have worked with police and authorities to try to overcome this problem.
In the UK, for example, we worked with the police and the Home Office as well as other operators and have seen a 24 per cent drop in the number of stolen mobile phones since 2002.
In the UK and Ireland O2 participates in schemes that allow identification of stolen phones by tracing the phone's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number. This is a 15 digit number unique to every phone. Previously we had only been able to block stolen SIM cards that had their own unique identity. But now, by checking the IMEI against an Equipment Identity Register (EIR) - a list of phones reported stolen - O2 can bar a phone even if the SIM card has been changed.
More than 10 million mobile phones have been registered to the database and the promotional message from mobile operators has been loud and clear – ‘stolen phones don’t work any more’.
For more information about the UK industry-wide crime prevention campaign log onto: www.immobilise.com
How to report a stolen mobile phone
In the event of your mobile phone being lost or stolen it is imperative that you contact your service provider immediately to have a restriction placed on your mobile. This will prevent any illegal calls being made or received from the handset.
Comprehensive online support and the contact details for our customer service teams are available on the websites of our local operating businesses.
O2 UK - Customer service centre for UK based customers only - 0870 5214 000.
Links to contact information, belonging to our other operating businesses, are available below:
If you require an immediate bar outside of your service providers' working hours please call the out of hours barring facility on 08705 214000.
