Mobile phones have become integral to our lives, serving not just as communication devices but also as repositories of personal photos, banking apps, WhatsApp chats, social media accounts, and vital documents. If a phone is stolen or lost, it’s crucial to take immediate and correct action rather than panicking.
### Sanchaar Sathi Portal: Your Ally
The first and most important step after a phone theft or loss is to register the phone on the government’s Sanchaar Sathi portal. This portal, created by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), aims to prevent misuse of stolen phones. The Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) within the portal functions based on the unique IMEI number of each mobile phone. When your phone is blocked in this system, it becomes unusable with any other SIM card.
### Advantages of IMEI Blacklisting
By blacklisting the IMEI number immediately after the phone is stolen, the phone becomes inactive on any network. If a thief tries to turn it on, the mobile operator is immediately alerted. This simplifies the tracking process, significantly increasing the chances of recovery.
### How to Block a Stolen or Lost Mobile Phone
Begin by visiting the website www.sancharsaathi.gov.in in your browser. Click on the CEIR Block Stolen/Lost Mobile option. Fill out the form with your name, mobile number, email ID, the phone’s IMEI number, and other required details. Upload a copy of the FIR or details related to the complaint. Submit the application after filling in all the details. Once the application is registered, your phone will be blocked immediately, and no one will be able to use it.
### What to Do if the Phone is Found?
If you later recover your phone, there’s no need to worry. Visit the Sanchaar Sathi portal again and choose the Unblock Found Mobile option.
You’ll need to enter the reference number from your previous report. After that, your phone will be unblocked, and you can use it normally.
### Track Report Status
The Sanchaar Sathi portal also provides an option to track the status of your lost phone report. You can monitor the progress of your application and receive updates.