Data on returned faulty phone. Security risk?

Cinders2001

Hello tech people.
I really hope someone or ones out there are able to help please.

I bought a brand new android phone 7 months ago and for some unknown reason it has just stopped being able to take a charge no matter how many different cables or charging points I use.
It’s a non removable battery too, so I cannot swap it out.

Amazon are refunding the money but obviously want the phone back.
That’s fine in itself, but leaves me with a problem I think.

My question is that even though the battery is dead and the Sim and SD cards are removed, the phone will still hold personal data.
Many apps will have auto login enabled and email etc.

How does this affect the security of my data?
Will I have to go through my Google Play login and change every single password?
Is there something I can do that is easier?!

Someone out there in tech-land will know the answer!
There must have been other people in the same boat as me.
What was their solution?

Any help will be wonderful thank you.

RumRat

If you can turn it on while it is connected to the charger you should be able to reset it to factory defaults.
You need to let us know the make and model of phone for anymore help.

Cinders2001

Can’t do that I’m afraid.
The power socket in the phone is believed to be at fault.
No power can get into the phone.

ballyblack

Go into your google account on another device or PC and change your google password.


That is a must!

RumRat

You still haven't said what phone it is??
Assuming an android, the phone should be encrypted and you should have it locked with a passcode/pin. This should protect your data, assuming it's not something easy to guess.
You could log into your google account and remotely wipe it, which should work as soon as anyone turns it back on AFAIK.
They will probably reset it to factory defaults during the repair and sell it as a refurb anyway.
As a precaution reset Google password and any sensitive passwords.
This can all be done on IOS as well if it's an iPhone.

Cinders2001

Ok, well the phone is an android as you say, it’s a Cubot P20.
One of the more obscure brands that not many have heard of.

The phone does have a ‘passcode’ of sorts, I used a finger swipe pattern type of lock. Used to have a fingerprint type too but I never have success with that type!

I wasn’t aware I could remotely wipe the phone via google.
I will look into that.
(I don’t know what AFAIK means sorry!)

Is there anything that remains on the phone after a remote wipe?
I mean, I have PayPal on there which I installed, will that app be removed from the Phone?

Sorry, this is all new to me. Haven’t been in this position before.

ballyblack

'AFAIK ' as far as i know

re Paypal, no harm to change your password also

J_B

Cinders2001 wrote: »

I wasn’t aware I could remotely wipe the phone via google.
I will look into that.

https://www.google.com/android/find?u=0

Cinders2001

I looked at the link to remote wipe the phone.
It needs the phone turned on to do it.

Also as I still have the phone I removed the sim and sd cards, and the sim is now back in my old android phone.
So if I wipe the phone it will action it on my old phone not the dud one.

ballyblack

I wouldn't worry too much if you have a swipe/Pin on it.

Amazon repairers will factory set it so wiping any data on it anyhow

Cinders2001

I still feel concerned though. I’ve not had to do this before and it feels unfinished.

Anything else I need to think about before returning please?