Martin Lewis Issues Urgent Warning to Mobile Phone Users
Financial guru Martin Lewis has issued a critical alert to all mobile phone owners, urging them to dial a simple five-digit code and securely store the result. This advice comes as smartphone thefts continue to escalate dramatically across the United Kingdom.
Speaking during a recent episode of The Martin Lewis Money Show Live on ITV, Lewis highlighted that criminals are not only after the physical device but are increasingly targeting the sensitive financial information stored within. He revealed that phone theft incidents have surged by approximately 40%, with thieves attempting to exploit stolen devices to access banking applications and personal data.
Dial This Code and Save the Result Immediately
Lewis specifically instructed viewers to dial *#06# on their mobile phones. This action reveals the handset's unique IMEI number, which serves as a crucial identifier for mobile devices.
He recommended taking a screenshot of this number and storing it in a safe location. "This one sounds a bit weird," Lewis acknowledged. "Dial *#06# to get your IMEI image then screengrab and save it. That is what you're gonna need to give to police if your phone is stolen. Screen grab it and assuming you can access your email not just on your phone, I would just email it to yourself so you've got a copy somewhere."
Additional Security Measures to Implement
Beyond securing the IMEI number, Lewis advocated for several other protective steps to safeguard phones against loss or theft. These include activating remote tracking applications such as Find My for Apple devices, SmartThings for Samsung phones, and Find My Device for Android handsets.
These tools enable users to locate missing phones and potentially lock or erase them remotely. Lewis also emphasized the importance of enabling biometric security features, like fingerprint or facial recognition, for both the device itself and any banking apps installed.
One of the most critical adjustments he suggested involves two-factor authentication messages. Many smartphones display these codes on the lock screen through message previews, which could allow thieves to access accounts even when the phone is locked.
"Many people have that appear on their lock screen so when your phone's locked, the code still appears. You don't want that. It means if someone gets your phone they can get the code," Lewis explained. "So what you need to do to stop that is turn off your 'preview notifications'. It will still tell you you've had a message but it won't tell you your code on your message. Everybody, please do that one. It's a nightmare if you've not done it."
The episode of The Martin Lewis Money Show Live originally aired on March 11, 2025, and remains available for viewing on ITVX. Lewis's warnings underscore the growing threat of phone theft and the necessity for proactive security measures in today's digital age.
