Martin Lewis says anyone with mobile phone should dial code

Martin Lewis has advised every mobile phone owner to take a screenshot with information that could prove vital if their handset is ever nicked. The consumer champion says tech users need to save a crucial code without delay.

MoneySavingExpert (MSE), which was set up by Martin Lewis, flagged up the advice in this week’s Money Tips Email. Sharing the tip, the MSE team said: “Dial a quick code to save your phone’s unique ID number – the police will request this.

“To access it, dial this quick code, then screen grab your phone’s unique IMEI number – and save it somewhere other than just on your phone! If your phone’s later stolen, the IMEI can be used by the network to block or identify it.”

As highlighted by the MSE team, every mobile phone has an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). You can access it by dialling *#06# on your device, then saving the number that follows IMEI or IMEI1. Martin Lewis previously urged people to save the number during an appearance on This Morning. He told phone owners: “Everybody do this now.”

During his appearance, Martin shared steps that people can take to reduce their risk of being defrauded if their phone is stolen. As he made clear, the tips won’t prevent thieves from swiping your phone, but they could help safeguard your personal details, reports the Mirror.

Martin said: “Make sure your biometrics are set up, your face or fingerprint ID, both on your phone and your banking apps. That’s very important. He continued: “Next one, everybody do this now.

“Type into your phone, star, hash, 06, hash. You’ll get what looks like a series of barcodes come up. Those are IMEI numbers, screengrab those, email them to yourself. That’s the ID you’ll need if your phone’s nicked so that you can recognise your phone. Next, really important, this one, and you’ll understand why, turn off your preview notifications.”

He explained that online shoppers are often sent text codes when making a purchase. By turning off preview notifications, you prevent a thief from accessing any codes on a locked phone.

Concluding his tips, Martin added: “The final one I’d say is go look at the security settings of your particular phone and go have a play and see what security settings there are. None of this will stop your phone being nicked, but it reduces the risk of you being defrauded if your phone is nicked.”

Elsewhere, O2 says: “Your IMEI number is used to activate your phone and register it with your network provider. It’s also used to block your phone if it’s been lost or stolen, helping to protect your device.” The guidance continues: “Individuals can’t track your phone using an IMEI number. If your device has been lost or stolen, report the incident to the police to get support with finding your phone.”