Using your phone for work safely

Many sole traders run the whole business from a phone: email, banking, invoicing apps, photos and customer messages. That makes the phone very valuable, both to you and to a thief.

Set these up today

A screen lock with a PIN of six digits or more, plus fingerprint or face unlock
Automatic updates switched on
Find My iPhone, or Find My Device on Android, switched on
Apps installed only from the official App Store or Google Play
Automatic backup of photos and contacts

Messages and calls

Be wary of texts about missed parcels, unpaid tolls or fines, and of WhatsApp messages asking for a code. Customers' numbers can be spoofed too, so check any change of payment details by ringing a number you already have.

If it's lost or stolen

Use Find My to lock it and erase it if needed, ring your bank, and change your email password from another device. Ask your mobile provider to block the SIM.