PIN on a SIM card

SCOYA

Firstly, please excuse my ignorance with regard to mobiles but I've been reading of cases where mobiles have been stolen and used and people advising of "locking the SIM". What exactly does this mean?

When switching my mobile on I have to enter a four code pin number - is this what is being referred to as "locking the SIM"?

Thanks, Scoya.

Minimods

Yes. It will stop access to your phone if your phone is off when stolen. It stops them receiving your calls and making them.

Also the phone can be barred which renders the phone useless. This needs to be done after the phone is stolen, just ring your network provider.

SCOYA

Thanks for your comments. So presumably, there's no way of "locking" the phone when switched on? i.e. you have to enter your pin number in order to answer a call/make a call. Or I suppose the best way is to switch your phone on every hour to check/make calls, and all other times keep it switched off so if stolen it can't be used. Scoya.

Minimods

gizmoleeds wrote:

I think there are ways of more securely locking most handsets - check your instruction manual.

Indeed, you can sometimes set a pin in the screensaver mode and I can set my XDA to ask for a PIN after a set period of inactivity.

ka7e

But can someone take out the sim and use it in another phone? My daughter's phone manual says it has a phone lock (protects phone against unauthorised use if stolen and sim exchanged)and a sim lock (enter PIN every time phone is switched on). Neither seem to protect the actual sim and if you are on a contract, you are liable for all calls made before you report it stolen.