Lost your phone but don't know how to find it back or file an FIR? We tell you how

Its always painful to lose your mobile phone, let alone the painful process of reporting and finding it?

Mobile phones are at the center of everyone’s lives today. You have your complete life documented on your mobile phone — private photographs, contacts, bank details, browsing history, personal emails, phone logs and almost all your personal information.

According to a recent study, the biggest fear amongst teens today is “losing their smartphone”.

As some wise man once said “Prevention is better than cure”. Before we explain the legal steps you can take, please follow the below preventive steps to ensure you are ready when such an event occurs:

Know Your IMEI: Every mobile phone has a unique tamperproof identification number called IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). 

The IMEI is located on the backpanel of your mobile phone just below the battery in most of the mobile phones or mentioned on your Phone Purchase bill.

You can also access the IMEI number by dialing *#06# on your mobile phone.

Note this number for future use (ProTip: DONOT note it in the same mobile phone).

Keep your Mobile Purchase Bill where you can find it: People generally keep their mobile phone purchase bill/invoice for the sole purpose of claiming warranty. DONOT throw your mobile phone bill after its warranty expires — always keep it somewhere you can find it later.

Install Mobile Phone Finder Apps: You can find plenty of apps which can help you locate your lost mobile phone. Here are some of the apps we recommend — a) For Android devices, use Android Device Manager, a fast simple native way of locating your device. Remember you need to register your device first. b) For iOS devices, we recommend using “Find my iPhone” service. Don’t forget to enable it in your phone’s settings.

Precaution is necessary, but it can only help you to be prepared. Here are the legal steps you can take:

Report loss of SIM card

File a Non-Cognizable Report (NCR) — Go to your nearest police station and file a NCR by submitting an application in the below format addressing the SHO.

To
The SHO
Police Station Address
Date — DD/MM/YYYY

Sir,

— — here mention the event like- time,area where you lost your purse/mobile etc… — -
— — list of documents and any other valuable things you lost — -

— -here request him to issue the NCR for the same. — -

Regards,
— Write your address/name/mobile — -.

The Police will make a police diary entry and give you a stamped copy of the application with a DDR number.

Show this stamped copy and DDR number to the person at the police computer room and he will give you a printout of the NCR.

Submit a copy of the Non-Cognizable Report to your Telecom Service Providers like Airtel, Vodafone, etc. to get your existing sim deactivated and request issuance of a new SIM.

Contrary to popular notion, FIR is not required to get a new sim card issued, just the NCR is enough.

Lodge an FIR

As per an advisory issued by center to the states and union territories on 5 Feb 2014, registration of FIR for a stolen mobile phone is compulsory under Section 154 of CrPC.

Go to your nearest police station and request the inspector incharge to register a First Investigation Report (FIR). The officer is required to note down your FIR and give you an official copy of the same.

Keep your IMEI number and Purchase Invoice handy when going to register the FIR.

Registering an FIR also safeguards you from any misuse of your mobile phone or connection there on.

Finding your phone

Event 1: There was no theft

If you mobile phone was just lost or someone found it and submitted it to the police, the process is easier.

The FIR will be listed with the Ld. Metropolitan Magistrate and you will be required to show a proof of ownership i.e. a purchase invoice or a stamped and signed affidavit stating your phone’s IMEI number.

The FIR will then be cancelled and your mobile phone will be given to you.

Event 2: Theft

In case of theft, the police will register your phone with ZIPNET (Zonal Integrated Police Network) which helps track down stolen phones and also reach out to various telecom providers to locate your phone using the IMEI.

(ProTip: If you are buying a used phone always search its IMEI on ZIPNET to ensure it is not registered as stolen)

If your phone is found, you will have to file an Application under section 451 of Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 before the Ld. Metropolitan Magistrate.

You can then follow the procedure as advised by the police to get back the possession of your phone (It is a slightly long process, but HEY — You found your phone!!)

This article has been authored by Harshit Parekh, CEO and Co-Founder of LegalNow.

LegalNow is an online cloud based legal tech platform for connecting lawyers with customers directly. Visit them here.