• Auto-lock your phone.  They’re small, we carry them everywhere, and unfortunately, mobile phones are lost or stolen all too often. If your phone falls into the wrong hands, a password is the first line of defense for your personal data. To keep your information private, create a strong password for your phone and set your screen to auto-lock within five minutes. Arrange phone settings so a password is required to wake up your phone after an inactive period. Use a password that’s different from your others (ATM, email accounts, online bill-paying accounts). Encrypt smartphones used for sensitive business communications, activate a timeout password, and install an updated anti-malware program and on-device personal firewall.
• Keep your apps and device software up to date.  Hackers work diligently to discover new vulnerabilities in our apps or the software that operates our phones. Device manufacturers and app developers frequently update their software to fix newly exploited security gaps, but if you don’t download and install these updates your information is still at risk.
• Use discretion when downloading apps.  One of the most exciting things about getting a new Smartphone is downloading all the great apps that are available. Unfortunately, even the most innocent-looking app can contain software designed to steal personal data, make fraudulent charges or even hijack your phone. Only download apps from sites you trust, check the app’s rating, and read reviews to make sure they’re widely used and respected before you download.
• Don’t open unfamiliar attachments, emails, or text messages from unknown sources.  They’re likely to be harmful. Be judicious about the type of applications that you download. Many apps come with spyware or other malicious software. Consider using a more secure computer for sensitive tasks such as online banking.
• Stick to window-shopping on public WiFi.  Public WiFi networks have become ubiquitous, but security for these networks is scarce. Be careful what you do on public WiFi networks as there may be others watching network traffic. In particular, stay away from making purchases and banking transactions—any communication that conveys a password, account number, or credit card number—unless you are certain that you are on a secure connection.
• Protect your phone like you protect your PC.  Most people already use software to shield their PC from viruses and spyware. With so much personal data on our phones and mobile malware on the rise, our mobile devices now need the same attention. Protect yourself and your private data from malware, spyware, and malicious apps by downloading a reputable security app.
• Password-protect your mobile device and voicemail with a PIN.  Make the password strong and hard to guess by using numbers, upper- and lower-case letters, and at least one symbol. Memorize your PIN. Don’t record it on anything you carry with you. Change your PIN periodically. Use “strong” PINs that are hard to guess. These will have numbers, upper- and lowercase letters, and at least one symbol. Never use a PIN (or password) with the last four digits of your Social Security number, your date of birth, your middle name, or anything else that’s easily guessed or subject to ready access via other sources
• Keep records.  Make a physical list of everything on your Smartphone—all the accounts and documents (or types of documents) it can access.
• Don't Save Information.  Delete voice and text messages with financial or personal information.
• Software.  Take advantage of software that locks the phone or erases the data remotely if the phone is lost or stolen.
• Financial Institution. Tell your financial institution immediately if you change your phone number or lose your mobile device.

Using Mobile Devices in Public

Protect Your Smart Device

• Consider your surroundings and use your device discreetly at locations in which you feel unsafe.
• Never leave your device unattended in a public place. Don't leave it visible in an unattended car; lock it up in the glove compartment or trunk.
• Write down the device's make, model number, serial number, and unique device identification number - either the International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI), the Mobile Equipment Identifier (MEID) number, or the Electronic Serial Number (ESN) - which you may find in your device settings or printed on a label affixed to your device underneath the battery. The police may need this information if the device is stolen or lost.
• Review your warranty or service agreement to find out what will happen if your phone is stolen or lost. If the policy is not satisfactory, you may wish to consider buying device insurance.

• Install and maintain anti-theft software.
  
  Apps are available that will:

1. Locate the device from any computer;
2. Lock the device to restrict access;
3. Wipe sensitive data from the device, including contacts, text messages, photos, emails, browser histories and user accounts such as Facebook and Twitter;
4. Make the device emit a loud sound (“scream”) to help the police locate it.

• Make your lock screen display contact information, such as an e-mail address or alternative phone number, so that the phone may be returned to you if found. Avoid including sensitive information, such as your home address.  Be careful about what information you store. Social networking and other apps may allow unwanted access to your personal information.

What to Do if Your Wireless Device is Stolen

• If you are not certain whether your device has been stolen or if you have simply misplaced it, attempt to locate the device by calling it or by using the anti-theft software's GPS locator. Even if you may have only lost the device, you should remotely lock it to be safe.
• If you have installed anti-theft software on your device, use it to lock the phone, wipe sensitive information, and/or activate the alarm.
• Immediately report the theft or loss to your carrier. You will be responsible for any charges incurred prior to when you report the stolen or lost device. 
• If you provide your carrier with the IMEI, MEID or ESN number, your carrier may be able to disable your device and block access to the information it carries. Request written confirmation from your carrier that you reported the device as missing and that the device was disabled.

Find Your Phone

• Consider your surroundings and use your Smartphone or mobile device discreetly.
• Do not use mobile wallet services to conduct financial transactions over an unsecured Wi-Fi network.
• Never leave your Smartphone unattended in a public place. Don't leave it visible in an unattended car; lock it up in the glove compartment or trunk.
• The police may need your Smartphone’s unique identifying information if it is stolen or lost. Write down the make, model number, serial number, and unique device identification number (either the International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) or the Mobile Equipment Identifier (MEID) number). Some phones display the IMEI/MEID number when you dial *#06#. The IMEI/MEID can also be found on a label located beneath the phone's battery or on the box that came with your phone.
• Review the service agreement for the financial account used in your mobile wallet to find out what will happen and who to contact if your Smartphone is stolen or lost, or if your mobile wallet application is hacked.
• Monitor the financial account used in your mobile wallet for any fraudulent charges.
• Choose a unique password for your mobile wallet. Should your Smartphone be lost or stolen, this may help protect you from both unwanted charges and from theft and misuse of your personal data.
• Install and maintain security software. Apps are available to:

• Adjust your "locked screen" display to show your contact information so that your Smartphone may be returned to you if found.
• Be careful about what information you store. Social networking and other apps may pose a security risk and allow unwanted access to your personal information and mobile wallet data.

• If you are not certain whether your Smartphone or mobile device has been stolen or if you have simply misplaced it, attempt to locate the Smartphone by calling it or by using the security software's GPS locator. Even if you may have only lost the Smartphone, you should remotely lock it to be safe.
• If you have installed security software on your Smartphone, use it to lock the device, wipe sensitive personal information, and/or activate the alarm.
• Immediately report the theft or loss to your wireless carrier. You will typically be responsible for any charges incurred prior to when you report the stolen or lost Smartphone. If you provide your carrier with the IMEI or MEID number, your carrier may be able to disable your Smartphone, and your mobile wallet services, and block access to your personal information and sensitive mobile wallet data. Request written confirmation from your carrier that you reported the Smartphone as missing and that the Smartphone was disabled.
• If your Smartphone or mobile device was stolen, also immediately report the theft to the police, including the make and model, serial, and IMEI or MEID number. Some carriers require proof that the Smartphone was stolen, and a police report can provide that documentation.
• If you are unable to lock your stolen or lost Smartphone, change all of your passwords for mobile wallet services and banking accounts that you have accessed using your Smartphone service.