Stolen iPhone with gun serial numbers. Do I have a problem?
- Thread starter Intrepid Dad
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I just returned a found phone to T-Mobile today. Usually I don't return it to the provider, I call or find the owner other ways, but this one had no charge and I couldn't find an appropriate charger. So there is hope.
I also have an iphone and I password protect it and use a great app called Awesome note, where you can also password protect categories. It syncs with Evernote. I take pics with my phone of receipts and store it in Awesome note. It's my favorite app by far.
I also have an iphone and I password protect it and use a great app called Awesome note, where you can also password protect categories. It syncs with Evernote. I take pics with my phone of receipts and store it in Awesome note. It's my favorite app by far.
2WheelsGood
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As an Evernote user (that's where my gun serials are stored), what does Awesome Note do that Evernote doesn't already do? Just the password protection?
Intrepid Dad
Member
Thanks to everyone
I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to offer their thoughts. The concensus is that I shouldn't sweat the serial numbers, although those naked pictures could be a problem.
I did call my voice mail shortly after I discovered the phone was missing and again this morning (I temporarily reactived the phone so I could call). There was no message from anyone saying they had found the phone. Also, the phone likely dropped on the sidewalk in front of the hotel's front doors. It should have been obvious to anyone who picked it up that it belonged to someone who either entered or left the hotel. It would have been easy to drop the phone off at the front desk had they been inclined to do so.
I also called AT&T to see if they could log my phone as stolen so that in the event someone tried to reactivate the phone it would show as stolen. The customer service rep told me there was no such database and that there was nothing they could do (except sell me a new phone, of course).
To those who asked, I had the serial numbers on my iPhone because, ironically, I thought there might be a situation where one of my guns was stolen and then I'd have rapid access to the serial numbers on my iPhone for the police. I didn't think the probability was that high that my guns would be safe and my iPhone would be stolen.
I will most likely get an iPhone 4G (16GB) this weekend when I get back to Colorado. You can be sure that I'll load it with an application that will help track the phone if it's ever stolen. I'll also look into MobileMe and at the technology that would allow me to swipe my phone clean if it ever comes up missing.
Additionally, I'll use the password protection for the phone. It's a hassle, but not a major one. I have password protection on my Kindle so I'm getting used to it.
If I store my serial numbers on my new iPhone, I'll either use a password protected program or I may use Google docs stored in the Cloud and then access from my phone if I ever need them. I also like the idea of taking pictures of the guns and serial numbers and placing them in the Cloud for easy access.
Lastly I'll be sure to get a carry pouch for my phone that does not rely on a plastic clip, but rather has a complete loop that I can thread my belt through. That alone would have prevented my phone from falling off my belt.
Once again all the great people on The High Road came through. I really appreciate the collective wisdom that you've shared.
I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to offer their thoughts. The concensus is that I shouldn't sweat the serial numbers, although those naked pictures could be a problem.
I did call my voice mail shortly after I discovered the phone was missing and again this morning (I temporarily reactived the phone so I could call). There was no message from anyone saying they had found the phone. Also, the phone likely dropped on the sidewalk in front of the hotel's front doors. It should have been obvious to anyone who picked it up that it belonged to someone who either entered or left the hotel. It would have been easy to drop the phone off at the front desk had they been inclined to do so.
I also called AT&T to see if they could log my phone as stolen so that in the event someone tried to reactivate the phone it would show as stolen. The customer service rep told me there was no such database and that there was nothing they could do (except sell me a new phone, of course).
To those who asked, I had the serial numbers on my iPhone because, ironically, I thought there might be a situation where one of my guns was stolen and then I'd have rapid access to the serial numbers on my iPhone for the police. I didn't think the probability was that high that my guns would be safe and my iPhone would be stolen.
I will most likely get an iPhone 4G (16GB) this weekend when I get back to Colorado. You can be sure that I'll load it with an application that will help track the phone if it's ever stolen. I'll also look into MobileMe and at the technology that would allow me to swipe my phone clean if it ever comes up missing.
Additionally, I'll use the password protection for the phone. It's a hassle, but not a major one. I have password protection on my Kindle so I'm getting used to it.
If I store my serial numbers on my new iPhone, I'll either use a password protected program or I may use Google docs stored in the Cloud and then access from my phone if I ever need them. I also like the idea of taking pictures of the guns and serial numbers and placing them in the Cloud for easy access.
Lastly I'll be sure to get a carry pouch for my phone that does not rely on a plastic clip, but rather has a complete loop that I can thread my belt through. That alone would have prevented my phone from falling off my belt.
Once again all the great people on The High Road came through. I really appreciate the collective wisdom that you've shared.
ZCORR Jay
Member
I am a big fan of locking my phone. Iphone also has a feature that after x failed attempts to unlock the phone it erases all the data on the phone.
KBintheSLC
Member
I'd be more worried about someone having access to my email account than the gun SN's. I know that hindsight is always 20/20, but this is exactly why I have a passcode on my iPhone. After 10 failed attempts, it erases all data. This also applies to all stored iPhone backups on my laptop.
I doubt they can do much with your SN's, but I would log in to all of your accounts that are stored on the iPhone and change the passwords asap.
I doubt they can do much with your SN's, but I would log in to all of your accounts that are stored on the iPhone and change the passwords asap.
Works2Shoot
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As long as you log into your email and change the password, you're only losing the 50 that have already downloaded to the phone.
Something else is you should keep the serial numbers on some random email account. You can access it via your phone anyway.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
I use my iPhone (2G) like a lot of people use a laptop, except it fits in my pocket.
On my phone, I can create and edit Microsoft Word documents and edit Excel spreadsheets, read PDF files, read books (I have the Book of the Five Rings on there at the moment), surf the Internet (including reading and posting here), play music (my iPhone is my car sound system, via a plug-in interface), watch movies, play games, track my airline flights, etc.
In addition to those functions, it is a ballistic calculator, shot timer, still/video camera, sound recorder, map of the world, to-do list, alarm clock, appointment calendar, scientific calculator, flashlight, hurricane tracker, weather station, medical/first-aid textbook, and police scanner, at the moment.
And to keep it gun-related, the ballistic calculator (iSnipe)...
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Intrepid Dad
Member
I'll definately set up this feature when I get my new phone. I should have done it before.
Very good point. I changed my passwords immediately on my e-mail accounts and my banking and investment accounts. Also changed my iTunes password. I hope I didn't miss anything important.
Yeah, that would definately stink. :banghead:
2WheelsGood
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Your phone is obviously jailbroken. Two ways to tell. First, it says T-Mobile in the status bar. But more importantly you never see full signal strength with AT&T.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
I was wondering if anyone would notice that.
The 5-column display, Unix terminal, numeric battery indicator, and date in the header are also aftermarket mods.
Wow that is an honest state you live in. Here in Hawaii I lost my wallet I Had only about $70 buck in it credit cards and sorts ......but the only thing that got returned through the mail was my driver lincence. I thing I should move to that part of the states
Haha thanks for giving me a laugh this morning. I needed it.
ForumSurfer
Member
Yeah, it's all fun and games until your mom sends you an email link to the pics someone posted.
K0ZZZ
Member
What would it look like to a random person looking at it? Just a list of numbers, or do you have names, values, where it's stored, the combo to the lock on the gun safe, etc? If it would look like gibberish to your average schmuck criminal, I wouldn't worry about it.
We had a conversation a little while ago where the "what could someone do with a serial number" come up? Could random person X call the cops and say "I own this handgun with serial number 12345 and this guy has it." Sure, and when the cops show up to ask you about it, and you show a bill of sale showing that you've owned it for the last 10 years, they're going to be pretty PO'd about the guy who sent them there.
Is it worth keeping all that info? Yeah. For insurance and legal reasons I think you should. How do you keep it? Encrypted and locked away. This topic actually sits near and dear to me, I recently wrote and released firearm inventory software that keeps all data highly encrypted, and you can even keep it on a flash drive locked up in your gun safe if you need to. The link is in my sig below.
We had a conversation a little while ago where the "what could someone do with a serial number" come up? Could random person X call the cops and say "I own this handgun with serial number 12345 and this guy has it." Sure, and when the cops show up to ask you about it, and you show a bill of sale showing that you've owned it for the last 10 years, they're going to be pretty PO'd about the guy who sent them there.
Is it worth keeping all that info? Yeah. For insurance and legal reasons I think you should. How do you keep it? Encrypted and locked away. This topic actually sits near and dear to me, I recently wrote and released firearm inventory software that keeps all data highly encrypted, and you can even keep it on a flash drive locked up in your gun safe if you need to. The link is in my sig below.
I find Awesome note much more user friendly and flexible. You can read more about it here.
http://www.bridworks.com/anote/en/features/index.php
kitsune
Member
I have another question for OP & everyone else....
What's the advantage to keeping all those serial numbers online/on handheld devices, in your wallet, etc.?
I keep lists in the safe & other secure places - and have a couple memorized of course, but have never needed 24/7 immediate access to them.
Sorry for the potentially stupid, noob-ish question, but it's sincere.
I've had quite a few guns for quite a while, but I'm new to the collecting/C&R deal.
What's the advantage to keeping all those serial numbers online/on handheld devices, in your wallet, etc.?
I keep lists in the safe & other secure places - and have a couple memorized of course, but have never needed 24/7 immediate access to them.
Sorry for the potentially stupid, noob-ish question, but it's sincere.
I've had quite a few guns for quite a while, but I'm new to the collecting/C&R deal.
For your next iPhone, let me please make some suggestions:
o Buy the Splash ID app, and use it to store any sensitive information you want to keep on your phone. This app encrypts your data with strong encryption, and also has a desktop application that makes it easier to edit, update, and keep a backup of your information on your computer at home.
o When you travel, turn on the passcode feature that requires you to key in a few numbers before you can access the phone. This will make it much harder for a finder to look through what you've got on your phone -- including your contacts, which you might not want strangers to have access to.
o Sign up for Mobile Me. Set it up to synchronize your contacts (as well as your web browser bookmarks and calendars if desired) between your phone, the MobileMe website, and your home computer(s). Also enable the Find My Phone feature. If your phone is lost, you can uses the MobileMe website to access your contacts and calendars. You can also use the iDisk feature to store files on MobileMe that you might want to access while traveling (e.g. itineraries, maps to hotels, etc.).
o If you have a travel companion with an iPhone, you can both install the Find My Phone app from Apple. Then you can use the un-lost phone to find the location of the lost phone.
Good luck!
o Buy the Splash ID app, and use it to store any sensitive information you want to keep on your phone. This app encrypts your data with strong encryption, and also has a desktop application that makes it easier to edit, update, and keep a backup of your information on your computer at home.
o When you travel, turn on the passcode feature that requires you to key in a few numbers before you can access the phone. This will make it much harder for a finder to look through what you've got on your phone -- including your contacts, which you might not want strangers to have access to.
o Sign up for Mobile Me. Set it up to synchronize your contacts (as well as your web browser bookmarks and calendars if desired) between your phone, the MobileMe website, and your home computer(s). Also enable the Find My Phone feature. If your phone is lost, you can uses the MobileMe website to access your contacts and calendars. You can also use the iDisk feature to store files on MobileMe that you might want to access while traveling (e.g. itineraries, maps to hotels, etc.).
o If you have a travel companion with an iPhone, you can both install the Find My Phone app from Apple. Then you can use the un-lost phone to find the location of the lost phone.
Good luck!
"What's the advantage to keeping all those serial numbers online/on handheld devices, in your wallet, etc.?"
I try to keep as few pieces of sensitive data as possible in my phone.
However when traveling:
o On a recent family trip overseas, I had all my family's passport numbers, etc. on the phone.
o On a photo expedition, I had serial numbers of all my cameras and lenses.
o I store key info about the credit cards I plan to use in case I lose the physical card.
o Etc.
In all these cases I store the data using Splash ID, an app that protects these data with strong encryption.
I try to keep as few pieces of sensitive data as possible in my phone.
However when traveling:
o On a recent family trip overseas, I had all my family's passport numbers, etc. on the phone.
o On a photo expedition, I had serial numbers of all my cameras and lenses.
o I store key info about the credit cards I plan to use in case I lose the physical card.
o Etc.
In all these cases I store the data using Splash ID, an app that protects these data with strong encryption.
2WheelsGood
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Just to clarify so the OP doesn't unnecessarily spend $100, this particular feature is free WITHOUT MobileMe.
Intrepid Dad
Member
Kitsune said:
I thought it would be a good idea to have access to the serial numbers on my phone in the event one or more of my guns was stolen. I travel extensively for my job so there would be a good chance I wouldn't be at home when it happened. I also keep the numbers on a secure website (Backpack). As long as I have access to the web I can access the serial numbers. Maybe my thinking was flawed but that was the reason.
In response to another post, the information in my iPhone included a description of the gun and the serial number. Nothing about location, value or anything else. So if the thief doesn't know what a Springfield XD45 is it won't matter. And even if he (or she) does, the serial number is the only other identifying information.
2WheelsGood said:
I appreciate that clarification. I'll definately get the free app to find my phone. My question is:
Do I need MobileMe to swipe my phone clean remotely if I ever find myself in the same position again? Or is there a lower cost option to accomplish that?
I thought it would be a good idea to have access to the serial numbers on my phone in the event one or more of my guns was stolen. I travel extensively for my job so there would be a good chance I wouldn't be at home when it happened. I also keep the numbers on a secure website (Backpack). As long as I have access to the web I can access the serial numbers. Maybe my thinking was flawed but that was the reason.
In response to another post, the information in my iPhone included a description of the gun and the serial number. Nothing about location, value or anything else. So if the thief doesn't know what a Springfield XD45 is it won't matter. And even if he (or she) does, the serial number is the only other identifying information.
2WheelsGood said:
I appreciate that clarification. I'll definately get the free app to find my phone. My question is:
Do I need MobileMe to swipe my phone clean remotely if I ever find myself in the same position again? Or is there a lower cost option to accomplish that?
2WheelsGood
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The "Find My iPhone" part of MobileMe used to be part of the $100 package. Fortunately they separated it out, and made it free. So you can still use the MobileMe website to view your phone's location on a map, send it a message and make it play a sound, and, yes, even wipe it remotely. If you buy an iPhone 4 from an Apple store, just tell them you want to set up the Find My iPhone app, and they'll show you what to do.
http://www.apple.com/mobileme/news/2010/06/find-my-iphone-gets-an-update.html
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