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Lost your cell phone on vacation? Here’s what to do next

August 17, 2023 – Published on USA Today

Cell phones are among the handiest items travelers can pack, allowing them to scan a boarding pass, navigate maps and snap photos while sightseeing all in one. But with the devices serving so many functions, it can put a damper on a trip if they go missing.

Phones not only help facilitate the basic mechanics of travel but also contain a range of sensitive information, from banking to credit cards, according to Gary Brickhouse, Chief Information Security Officer at GuidePoint Security.

Losing a phone or having it stolen can be stressful, but travelers can take steps to protect their information and potentially get their devices back. Here’s what to know.

Along with packing a bag or checking in for a flight, travelers should consider securing their phone as part of their pre-travel checklist. Brickhouse recommended setting a passcode or other kind of lock screen verification like Face ID “to make sure that not just anyone can get into your phone.”

If you aren’t able to find your phone or suspect it has been stolen, switch into damage-control mode. Brickhouse said travelers should be able to remotely lock their phones through phone-location features, which can help prevent bad actors from accessing the device. He also warned that time is of the essence.

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