Disabling mobiles

The explosion in sales of mobile phones in the UK has led to growth in theft and fraud. In the latest British Crime Survey theft of mobiles accounted for eight per cent of all stolen items against two per cent in the previous year. Once in possession of the phone the thief currently need only replace the Subscriber Identity Module (Sim card) inside to give it a new identity. However, there is an answer, at least at the moment. All handsets bear an “electronic fingerprint”, the 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) code which the networks can register when a call is made. It is available by pressing *#06# on the keypad. If the handset is stolen the user can prevent unauthorised use by notifying the network operator of the IMEI code; once added to a list of barred units the phone is unusable even if the Sim card is switched. Currently only One2 One and Orange use this code to block calls from stolen handsets.