Lost Your iPhone And Receiving Weird Texts To Unlock It? Here's What You Need To Do

If you have lost your iPhone recently and are receiving weird texts asking you to remove the device from your account or unlock it, stop even thinking about it.

What Happened: Apple Inc.'s AAPL security features try to make it as difficult as possible for iPhone thieves to use their victims’ devices. Now, these iPhone thieves are trying to trick users into disabling these security measures so they can profit from them.

A Reddit user posted a screenshot of a long text message from someone who likely stole their iPhone and is trying to hawk it in the gray market.

"I got my phone stolen from my purse a bit over a month ago. I had to buy a new phone but now I have been getting these strange texts," the user said, adding that they locked the device and reported it as lost.

The user says they've received several such weird text messages asking them – and in some cases, threatening even – to unlock the iPhone and remove it from their Apple ID, or else they will clone their data and sell it.

But you need to remain calm and ignore these messages. You should not unlock your iPhone or remove it from your Apple ID since that will release it and allow the thief to sell it like a legitimate device.

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What To Do If Your iPhone Is Stolen

There are four things you need to do if your iPhone is stolen.

1. Report It As Lost

Report the iPhone as lost. This remotely locks the iPhone, preventing the thief from using it.

You should also report the device as stolen to local law enforcement agencies, which can be useful if your iPhone is misused for illegal purposes.

2. File A Claim For Replacement

If you have an AppleCare+ subscription with Theft and Loss protection, you should file a claim for an iPhone replacement.

Apple recommends you wait to remove the iPhone from your Apple ID until the claim has been fully approved.

3. Remotely Erase Your Data

Remotely erase your data to ensure it does not fall into the wrong hands.

Open Find My on your other Apple devices or log in to iCloud.com/find.

Now select your device and tap Erase This Device.

4. Change Your Apple ID Password

Lastly, change your Apple ID password to ensure it cannot be misused.

Sign in to appleid.apple.com.

Tap Sign-in and Security > Password and follow the on-screen instructions.

Image Credits – Shutterstock

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