Ask HN: Tips on handling iPhone Theft

2 points by enig_matic7 7 years ago | 0 comments

Last Friday, my partner's iPhone X was stolen from her bag and she realized it about 5 mins later which was obviously too late. Unfortunately, it was uninsured.

We turned on 'Lost Mode' immediately and reported it to the police thereafter. The phone came online briefly on the night of the theft and Apple sent us an email with a specific residential address which was less than a mile away from where it was stolen.

We also received phishing texts pretending to be from Apple the day after saying that the phone was found and that we should click a link to see the location. Pretty much what Brian Kebs says here - https://krebsonsecurity.com/2017/03/if-your-iphone-is-stolen-these-guys-may-try-to-iphish-you/

Now, it has been a few days and we have been receiving these texts regularly indicating that the thieves are desperate to unlock it.

The police have assigned an officer but we haven't been contacted by them yet. I have been thinking to go to the address directly and try and talk to them but this may be risky.

Is anyone who's had a similar experience able to share theirs?

Other HN folk, any tips on how to handle this further to maximize the chance of getting it back? Be nice please :)

natch 7 years ago |

The police probably won't act on it since they perceive phone theft as small stuff. It might be up to you to get them to act. What country is this in?

You might try to get more information on who you are dealing with. This is tricky to do without tipping your hand that you are doing it. But if you can find the right person such as a landlord, or a parent of the culprits, neighbors, etc. who could exert social pressure (or not) they might (or might not!) be helpful. Really depends on the neighborhood and what kind of community it is, and who they are. Be very wary. Just ideas... take them with a grain of salt.