[PBARC] CELL PHONE THEFT

[E. Glenn Wolf, Jr.]

What to do when your cell phone gets lost or stolen . . . 

This is something worth knowing if you have a mobile phone .. . . Have you
ever wondered why phone companies don't seem interested in trying to prevent
the theft of mobile phones?  If you have ever lost or had one stolen, and if
you are on a plan, you still have to pay the plan approximately up to 24
months, and you have to buy another handset and enter into another contract.
This is more revenue for the phone company. 
[This is the good part.]  There is a simple way of making lost or stolen
mobiles useless to thieves and the phone companies know about it, but keep
it quiet. 
To check your mobile phone's serial number, key in the following on your
phone: star-hash-zero-six-hash (* # 0 6 #) and a fifteen digit code will
appear on the screen. This is unique to your handset.  Write it down and
keep it safe. 

Should your mobile phone get stolen, you can call your service provider and
give them this code. They will then be able to block any use of your
handset, so even if the thief changes the sim (or simm) card, your phone
will still be totally useless. 

You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you'll know that
whoever stole it can't use or sell it either.  Isn't that cool?

If everybody did this, there would be no point in stealing mobile phones.
You may want to send this to as many people with mobiles as possible. 

ANOTHER GOODIE:

No charge Directory Assistance.  Phone companies are charging us $1.00 or
more for 411 - information calls when they don't have to.  When you need to
use the 411/information option, simply dial:  1-800-FREE-411 or
1-800-373-3411 without incurring a charge. 

This seemed like information people don't mind receiving - Pass it on.  I am
told it works on home phones and cell phones alike.


Thanks WB5HIL...