Lost or Stolen BlackBerry

Have you lost your BlackBerry or had it stolen?

This question is often asked here in the Forum, and specific information in one thread would be a good resource and a good place for those to ask questions who might face either circumstance. And, let me say to start -- Sorry about your loss. Now, let's minimize the damage!

Tracking the device: Unless you have previously installed on your BlackBerry a software such as BlackBerry Protect or SmrtGuard, there is no way to track or trace the physical location of the device. BlackBerry Protect is free and avaialble in most all countries for BlackBerry users. I highly advise you install it for its over-the-air data backup if for no other reason.

When you lose your BlackBerry, Protect can pinpoint the last known location of your device -- as long as it is still powered on and the SIM card is still inserted and the SIM has not been blocked or disabled by your mobile provider. Since a thief often will first remove the SIM card, that will obviously not allow you to locate it. Protect can also remotely perform a backup of the data and wipe the device should you have left it with no password protection. You can also send a "please return me" message to the screen of the BlackBerry, or offer a reward if found.

• BlackBerry, the company, cannot track your device.
• Your mobile provider cannot track your device (except sometimes they can pinpoint its general location via the cell tower it last transmitted, but usally only with a court or police order to do so).
• Unless you previously installed a GPS tracking application on the device, you cannot track it. You can't install it after the fact.
• Never would I recommend tracking a known stolen BlackBerry to look for the thief. Be wise. That's a job for law enforcement (and Chuck Norris).

Next, call your mobile provider. If your BlackBerry is unretrievable, you need to ask your service provider to block or suspend the SIM so that no one can make charges to your account. Some service providers will also block or suspend the IMEI / PIN of the device also, so that it can no longer be used on the BlackBerry network, but not all will do this. Not all carriers will do this, only calling and asking will answer the question.

Then, report it stolen or lost to the local law enforcement. There are numerous stories of BlackBerrys being found in cabs or turned in off the street to local police or sheriff's offices. You might also check a local dealer in the area you lost it... I've seen lost devices returned to a Verizon or Vodafone store, because the 'finder' of the device just felt it was easier. I have a personal friend who recently left their BlackBerry in a cab, he hailed a second cabbie who radio'd and drove to meet the first cabbie to retrieve the device. I saw a listing on Craig's List recently of a person offering to return a BlackBerry they had discovered underneath their theater seat.

What about your data? Often, the data on the device is more valuable to the owner than the actual hardware of the BlackBerry. If you have a recent backup (made using BlackBerry Protect or even your Desktop BlackBerry Software), that data can be restored to a new BlackBerry.


Source: http://supportforums.blackberry.com/t5/Device-software-for-BlackBerry/Lost-or-Stolen-BlackBerry-What-to-do/m-p/1748355/message-uid/1748355#U1748355