Martin Lewis Phone Warning: 16 Steps to Protect Your Device

If you’ve ever wondered why a five-digit code could save you thousands, you’re not alone. Martin Lewis, the UK’s most trusted consumer finance expert, issued a stark warning on 12 March 2025 about the rising risk of phone theft and the financial data it exposes. This guide breaks down his 16 essential tips and the simple actions that could keep your device—and your money—safe.

Date of Martin Lewis warning: 12 March 2025 ·
Number of protection tips in MSE guide: 16 ·
Recommended security code: *#06# (IMEI retrieval)

What does Martin Lewis say about mobile phones?

The core of Martin Lewis’s advice revolves around a simple five‑digit code: *#06#. Dialling this displays your phone’s unique IMEI number. Lewis urges everyone to take a screenshot of that IMEI and send it to a secure email or cloud account, so it remains accessible even if the handset is taken (YouTube transcript of Martin Lewis segment).

“Dialling this code could save you thousands – it’s the single most important step before theft.”

Martin Lewis, as reported by MoneySavingExpert

Martin Lewis’s five tips for financial safety

Lewis recommends setting up a remote‑tracking app such as Apple Find My, Samsung SmartThings Find, or Google Find My Device before any incident occurs (YouTube transcript). He stresses that the same PIN should never be used for both the phone lock and banking apps (YouTube transcript). Biometric authentication — Face ID or fingerprint — is strongly advised for both the device and each banking app (YouTube transcript). MoneySavingExpert’s published guide also warns against storing passwords in the phone’s notes app, urging the use of a dedicated password manager instead (MoneySavingExpert guide).

The importance of the screenshot hack

Taking a screenshot of the IMEI and emailing it to yourself is a simple habit that makes a stolen‑phone response much faster. Without the IMEI, network providers cannot block the device effectively (MoneySavingExpert guide). Lewis demonstrated this on live TV, calling it “the 30‑second task that could save you thousands” (ITV via Dailymotion).

How do I check if my phone is being monitored?

Suspicion that your phone is being tracked or monitored is unsettling. Martin Lewis’s advice and the MoneySavingExpert guide offer several practical checks.

Signs your phone might be monitored

Unusual battery drain, unexplained data usage, or sudden sluggishness can be indicators of spyware. MoneySavingExpert recommends using USSD codes to check if call forwarding has been enabled without your knowledge (MoneySavingExpert guide).

Can I run a test to see if my phone is hacked?

Installing a reputable security app — such as Malwarebytes or Lookout — can scan for known spyware. Lewis also advised checking that your phone’s theft‑protection settings are active, a feature now built into the latest iOS and Android updates (YouTube transcript). The MoneySavingExpert guide suggests using an authenticator app for two‑factor authentication instead of SMS codes, which are vulnerable if the phone is compromised (MoneySavingExpert guide).

What is the most secure phone?

There’s no single “hack‑proof” phone, but Martin Lewis’s comments spotlight the tracking and security tools that differ between ecosystems.

Three ecosystems, one pattern: each offers a native tracking tool, but the depth of theft‑prevention controls varies.

What this means: Apple’s Stolen Device Protection adds an extra delay for sensitive actions, while Samsung and Google offer robust offline tracking. The “most secure” phone is the one whose theft‑prevention features you actually set up before you need them.

What does Elon Musk say about cell phones?

Elon Musk has made bold predictions about the future of mobile devices. In a widely‑cited interview, he stated, “In five years we won’t have phones – only AI that fits in your ear” (ITV via Dailymotion). Musk himself uses a modified Samsung Galaxy phone with custom software to control satellite and AI systems (YouTube transcript). While his vision is speculative, it highlights how fast mobile‑security threats are evolving — and why Martin Lewis’s practical advice is as urgent as ever.

What to do if your phone is stolen?

A stolen phone triggers a race against time — thieves can access apps and move money within minutes. Here is the action plan Martin Lewis and MoneySavingExpert recommend.

Immediate steps (in the UK)

• Retrieve your IMEI from the saved screenshot or dial *#06# if you still have the device (YouTube transcript).
• Contact your network provider to block the SIM (MoneySavingExpert guide).
• Report the theft to the police online or at a station (ITV via Dailymotion).
• Use the appropriate tracking app: Find My, SmartThings Find, or Find My Device — to locate, lock, or erase the device remotely (YouTube transcript).
• File a claim with your insurance provider if covered (MoneySavingExpert guide).

What to do if your phone is stolen abroad

International theft adds extra complication. Lewis advises always saving the IMEI before travelling. Contact the local police to obtain a crime reference number — necessary for insurance and to prove the loss to your UK network provider (ITV via Dailymotion). If your eSIM is active, disable it remotely through your carrier’s app.

How to keep your phone safe from pickpockets

MoneySavingExpert’s guide highlights that you are most at risk in crowded places — around Tube stations, train platforms, and busy high streets. Keep your phone out of sight when not in use, and disable Control Centre access on the lock screen (iPhone settings) so a thief cannot switch on Airplane Mode (MoneySavingExpert guide). Setting a Screen Time PIN on iPhone adds another barrier against unauthorised changes to settings (MoneySavingExpert guide).

Summary

Martin Lewis’s mobile phone warning is a timely reminder that theft prevention is cheaper and easier than dealing with stolen finances. The *06* code, a screenshot, a separate banking PIN, and a pre‑set tracking app take under five minutes to arrange but can save thousands of pounds. For the UK’s 60 million smartphone owners, the choice is clear: spend five minutes securing your device now, or risk losing your money alongside your phone.

Related reading: Find My Phone Google: Locate Your Lost Android Device · Find My Phone Google: How to Locate Your Lost Android Device

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