I have always taken great pride that I had never lost phone. At least not beyond the boundaries of my purse, car, or home! Yes I dropped it in the depths of Corpus Christi Bay never to be recovered , but I had never lost one. Unfortunately, this streak came to an end on my recent trip to Puerto Vallarta.
The good news is I recovered it quickly! But next time I may not be so lucky and neither may you. So here is my story about what to do when you lose your phone in Mexico (or anywhere else, for that matter). I hope you never need it, but if you do I hope it helps!
When I Lost My Phone in Mexico
I am always VERY careful with my phone when traveling. After all, it is my lifeline to home and family. Not to mention it is typically the repository for my travel documents and photos. I keep it in my bag as much as possible. When it is out to snap a photo, call an Uber, or navigate, I keep it in my hand and secured around my wrist with a strap!
I know, that little strap would not keep someone from wrestling it from me if they really wanted it. But it does provide a small deterrent and a little extra safety. It also typically keeps me from dropping it or just placing it somewhere it shouldn’t be. That is why it was so surprising when I left the phone in a taxi on the way back to our resort one evening.
We were in downtown Bucerias where I was trying to get an Uber back to the resort. Traffic was crazy bad and we were exhausted after and full day of touring. I prefer to take Uber over taxis as they are generally safer, cleaner, and less expensive. But I couldn’t connect with an Uber and there was a taxi stand right there. So I gave up and hopped in the taxi.
I guess I didn’t have my wrist strap on, or missed the opening when I threw the phone back in my bag, because I left it in the seat of the taxi. Fortunately, I discovered this within few minutes of returning and was able to take action right away.
How I Tracked Down My Phone
The taxi had to check in at the gate to our resort before entering, so I started by calling the front desk. Unfortunately, that check in was a false sense of security. They did not record anything related to the vehicle or driver.
Next, I asked the concierge at my hotel to help me call the taxi companies. There were only two in town but I was really wishing I could have just looked up the driver on Uber and made direct contact. The concierge was weird about helping. He kept making me promise that I understood this was not in his control and he could not guarantee I would get my phone back. Of course, he couldn’t! But if he helped me I would have at least some chance of finding it. Since I don’t speak Spanish, I figured I had little chance without their assistance.
While they spoke with the taxi companies, I logged in to their very slow internet on my iPad. I was able to use Find My iPhone and tell them exactly where the taxi was that had my phone (assuming it was still inside the taxi). I also commenced to repeatedly play the remote alarm on my phone so the driver could more easily find it.
As a result, they worked a little dispatch magic and voila! Within 10 minutes my phone was on its way back to me. All it cost me was the additional taxi fare (plus a big fat tip) and a tip for the concierge who was helpful in the end.
What To Do If You Lose Your Phone
Losing your phone while traveling, especially in a foreign country, can be stressful, but there are steps you can take to mitigate the situation:
- Stay Calm – It’s essential to remain calm and composed. Panicking may cloud your judgment and make it harder to address the situation effectively.
- Retrace Your Steps – Try to remember where you last used or saw your phone. Retrace your steps and check nearby areas where you may have left it behind.
- Use Tracking Apps – Use apps, like Find My iPhone (for iOS devices) or Find My Device (for Android devices), to locate your phone’s approximate location. Or you can remotely lock and erase its data if necessary. I was so happy I had another Apple device with me to make this easy!
- Contact Authorities – If you believe your phone was stolen, report the incident to local authorities. Provide them with details about the situation, including where and when you last saw your phone.
- Notify Your Mobile Provider – Contact your mobile service provider to report your phone as lost or stolen. They can suspend your service to prevent unauthorized use and may be able to help you in track or remotely lock your device.
- Contact Your Embassy or Consulate – If you’re unable to recover your phone or if it contains sensitive information, your country’s embassy or consulate may be able to provide resources to help you navigate the situation.
- Secure Your Personal Information – If your phone contained sensitive information, take steps to secure your accounts and protect yourself from identity theft or fraud. Change passwords and notify relevant financial institutions or service providers as needed.
- Remote Locking or Erasing – If you’re unable to recover your phone and are concerned about the security of your data, lock or erase your device remotely.
- Prepare for Replacement – If you’re unable to recover your phone, contact your insurance provider or consider purchasing a new phone locally or through your mobile provider.
Take Preventive Measures
Going forward, take preventive measures to avoid losing your phone while traveling. Use a wrist strap to help you keep the phone on your person (and never slip it off unless it is inside your bag). They also make neck lanyards but I don’t care for these. They are easier for thieves to snap and take away your phone. Take out a phone or travel policy that covers lost or stolen belongings.
Most importantly, use a passcode to protect your data and make sure your phone is connected to a tracking device that will allow you to remotely wipe the data if needed. The phone itself can be replaced, but don’t want to risk your sensitive information in case of theft.
Do You Have a Tip To Keep Your Phone and other Valuables Safe When Traveling?
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