Is your smartphone also your business phone? If you lost your smartphone would your business come to a halt? How many of your business contacts are only on your smartphone? These are good questions to ask and if you find yourself answering yes, you could benefit from this article by Jeanette Pavini that was recently posted on wsj.com. One extra tip: be sure to back up all of your information on your computer or in the cloud. If you haven’t done this and aren’t sure how, go to your local carrier’s store and they will be able to assist you.
Lose a Smartphone, And You Lose a Lot
Say you just lost your wallet with $40 cash in it. You’d feel bad, right? There’s the inconvenience of canceling cards, getting a new driver’s license, etc. But what if you lost your wallet with $900 in cash in it, plus your address book and your bank passwords? That’s what it’s like when you lose your smartphone.
If you lose your smartphone, what will it cost to replace it and what steps should you take once you realize your phone is gone? MarketWatch’s Jeanette Pavini has some answers on Lunch Break. Photo: AP
How much does it cost to lose a smartphone? One of our readers found out the hard way. Her iPhone was stolen while she was on public transit. She didn’t have phone insurance, her renter’s insurance didn’t cover the loss, and she was told if she canceled her phone contract, she would be liable for a hefty early termination fee. In the end, she paid a small fortune and learned a big lesson.
Some 60 million smartphones and cellphones are lost, stolen or damaged each year, according to Asurion, a provider of cellphone insurance.
Your total cost will depend on your carrier, what kind of device you have, and whether you’re willing to settle for a reconditioned, used device or want a new smartphone.
If you lose your top-of-the-line iPhone, say, and want to replace it with the same device—and you aren’t eligible for an upgrade anytime soon—you could pay as much as $849 for the device alone.
Here are some tips to keep in mind if your smartphone goes missing:
Many new smartphones, including the iPhone, come with a “find my phone” app that allows you to locate the device, regardless of your carrier or insurance. See whether your device has this option and activate it.
Your smartphone insurance likely does not cover a brand-new replacement device. You’ll get a reconditioned phone and it may not be identical to the one you lost.
Keep track of when you are due for an upgrade on your carrier contract. You might be able to use an old phone until you qualify for the new replacement smartphone at a discounted rate.
Whenever you buy a new smartphone, hold on to your old device. If the new one is lost or stolen, that old iPhone or Blackberry could come in handy.
No matter which carrier you use, treat your phone as stolen, even if you think it’s only misplaced. It’s not just a phone; it likely also contains important personal information, and phone and email contacts.
If someone makes unauthorized long-distance calls, you may not be liable for these charges—even if your carrier says you are until the phone is reported lost or stolen. Some states have laws on the books protecting consumers from unauthorized charges from any telecommunications device.
Beware of buying smartphones from third-party sellers or from private parties via classifieds like Craigslist. These phones might be stolen or damaged and you’ll have no recourse against the seller.
To see specifics by carrier and to view a related video click here. http://online.wsj.com/video/what-to-do-if-you-lose-your-smartphone/3BCF6141-7D00-4A7C-82D3-E9DF273BB995.html?
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