Martin Lewis Urges Mobile Users to Secure Devices with IMEI Code

Financial expert Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning to mobile phone users, advising them to retrieve and securely store their device’s IMEI number by dialing a simple 5-digit code. This recommendation comes amid a 40% surge in phone thefts across the UK, with criminals increasingly targeting financial data stored on smartphones¹.

Why the IMEI Code Matters

The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number is a unique identifier for every mobile device. Dialing *#06# displays this 15-digit code, which can be critical for reporting stolen devices to law enforcement and blocking unauthorized network access². Lewis specifically recommended taking a screenshot of this number and emailing it to yourself as a backup measure. This simple step creates an independent record that remains accessible even if the physical device is stolen.

Recent reports indicate that thieves are not just stealing phones for hardware resale value, but are actively exploiting unlocked devices to access banking apps and two-factor authentication codes³. The IMEI number serves as the primary identifier when reporting theft to both police and mobile carriers, significantly increasing the chances of device recovery and preventing financial fraud.

Additional Security Measures

Beyond retrieving the IMEI number, security experts recommend several complementary protections:

• Enable biometric authentication (fingerprint or facial recognition) for device unlocking
• Disable lock screen notifications for sensitive apps, particularly those containing 2FA codes
• Activate device tracking features like Find My iPhone (Apple), SmartThings (Samsung), or Find My Device (Google)

These measures create multiple layers of defense against both physical theft and digital intrusion. The tracking features can help locate stolen devices, while biometric security makes it significantly harder for thieves to bypass lock screens.

Contract Savings Opportunity

In related advice, Lewis highlighted that approximately 14 million UK mobile users could reduce their bills by checking contract status and switching providers before April price hikes⁴. Users can text “INFO” to 85075 (free) to confirm if they’re out of contract, and “PAC” to 65075 to obtain a number transfer code.

The timing of these warnings coincides with planned inflation-linked price increases of up to 6% for many mobile contracts. Consumers locked into older agreements may face these hikes unless they proactively switch to better-value plans available on the market.

Technical Relevance

For security professionals, this situation highlights several important considerations. The IMEI serves as a hardware-level identifier that can’t be easily spoofed, making it valuable for device tracking and blacklisting. However, sophisticated attackers may attempt to alter or mask IMEI numbers, requiring additional verification methods in forensic investigations.

The recommendation to email the IMEI screenshot introduces potential security trade-offs. While it ensures the number remains accessible if the device is stolen, users should ensure their email accounts are properly secured with strong passwords and two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access to this sensitive information.

Conclusion

Martin Lewis’s warning underscores the growing intersection between physical device security and financial protection. By taking simple proactive measures like recording IMEI numbers and reviewing mobile contracts, users can significantly reduce their vulnerability to both theft and unnecessary expenses. These basic security practices form an essential foundation in an increasingly mobile-dependent financial landscape.