PassCode That Phone My Friend!   Lesson Learned from I Phone Lost!

Lesson Learned from I Phone Lost   ... and then found.  

BUT, this is a blog about the lesson from it being lost.     In a very crowded place last week, I set my phone down on a counter and walked away.  Not intentionally, but never the less.    About 40 minutes later, I went to check it and that's when panic set in.   I know most of you have felt it.   Phone gone.   The search  begins through your pockets.. and through your pockets again, and then again!

The realization sets it.   You Idiot!!!!    You left it on the counter.    There is no way it will still be there when you get back, but you go on the hunt anyway.     It seems like hours, literally hours to walk the 10 minutes back to the place where you were.   The entire time, your head is spinning!     You look sheepishly around, and not seeing it, you start asking around... not so sheepishly, I might add.   passcode phone

Did they hear the panic in your voice????    I'm sure they did!     Some older man, cigar in mouth, says nothing, but moves his arm, and there it is ... my phone!    Remember the old commercial... "how do you spell relief?"  

I am not sure what to do at that point.  Do I kiss the cigar smoking man??   or, do I just offer my gratitude like 100 times.  

 Okay, you guess.   I'm pretty lucky that this man a) just held on to the phone knowing I would come back, and b)  probably had no clue how to access my info... or did he???   

The reason for this blog.

From the time I realized that the phone was missing, what started going through my mind was all the texts and private emails never mind the contacts that whoever found my phone had access to.     All kinds of business information in emails that was meant just for me.   OMG!  All those personal messages that friends send to each other about life.. that you know, that should just stay between friends!

That 10 minute walk from hell was enough to make me realize that I was a fool not to passcode that thing.   Sure, it would cost me some money to replace a lost phone, but that is the easy part! Those confidential or not so confidential messages, contacts and phone numbers will be impossible or hell to replace.. That right there is the real problem! 

My phone today is passcoded.  

FYI, I can answer it without punching in the code. 

Yea, I have to put the code in to access anything else, but who cares????   

Not me... the info is protected.

 

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

Remax Executive Realty

www.AlandCal.com

 

Cal@AlandCal.com

 

508-494-9061

 

 
Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies
Post is included in group: Around The Water Cooler
Post is included in group: Bartender, Make it a Double
Post is included in group: Diary of a Realtor
Post is included in group: "Whacked"!!!

27 Comments on PassCode That Phone My Friend! Lesson Learned from I Phone Lost!

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

FEB
08
2012
163,182 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Passcode is very important.  Funny thing is, my wife passcodes her phone to make sure our 6 year old doesn't get to it to play games on the phone.  Problem is, she will forget the passcode and have to ask our 6 year old what it is!

8:28pm • #8
619,290 Points 96 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Suggested for sure.  I know just how you feel.  I panic when I can't my phone...I am sooo attached to the thing.  I wish I wasn't, but that's the life of a Realtor®.  Anyway, you do bring up a very good point about passcodes and protecting information.  We have a lot of contact info and if it got in the wrong hands, could be a big problem!

Great post AND you rock (just thought I would say something).

8:48pm • #9
333,664 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I had never thought about that Carol.  Ok, I'm going to activate my passcode now. 

9:22pm • #10
387,162 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I don't have pass code and don't have anything that interesting on mine.

10:12pm • #11
FEB
09
2012
234,664 Points 37 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi David.  I will be checking out that program today.   Thank you!

 

Hi Patricia.   For sure not fun.  I am sure many can relate to that moment of panic!   Thank you!

 

Hi Peggy.   It does take some getting used to, but I won't every worry about my info being available to others again.   Thank you!

11:14am • #12
1,518,324 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

It's good you don't have to punch in the code to answer it.  God forbid you ever lose it again, the first thing you might want to do is call it and ask where it is. 

11:18am • #13
234,664 Points 37 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Mark.  LOL.  That's always the way isn't it?

 

Hi Brenda!   You rock too!   Thank you for commenting and reading!!

 

Hi Jim.   I always thought it was a good idea but put it off.    Thanks for checking in.

 

Hi Rob.     Haha.   Thanks for checking it out! 

11:18am • #14
704,589 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Carol,

Unfortunately we all have the done the same thing and probably several times. Don't beat yourself up as this type of occurence happens all the time. I do have a pass code on my phone and this will keep the normal person off the street from getting to my data. However, I have read that a 4 digits pass code can be cracked by a 12 year old who is tech savvy in about 10-15 minutes at most. his to me is worrisome but I don't know what to do. My I-phone is now over 2 years old and is absolutely horrible at anything. I know no one in the right mind would even waste any time taking this phone. My wife and I want the 4S phone and these are hard to find in Houston area. When I finally get the new phone then it will be back to phone theft paranoia.

2:20pm • #15
428,199 Points 23 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I don't use a passcode b/c I felt it would be too cumbersome.  Now I am re-thinking it!

11:18pm • #16
FEB
10
2012
234,664 Points 37 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Chris Ann.  Not as bad as I thought.  A call to myself would have saved some stress for sure! 

 

Hi Bob.   Mine is a wee bit out dated too.    It is so hard to keep abreast of it all!   

 

Hi Christine.   It's not that bad.

 

Thank you all for commenting!

9:29am • #17
796,355 Points 80 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Carol ann, i have the 'find phone' on my iphones but will consider this...such an uneasy feeling...i have insurance too but it is the private access that worries me.

9:59am • #18
354,618 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Cal

There is also apps that can locate and deactivate your phone if it gets lost or stolen. Glad you got yours back so easily. cheers cvc

2:46pm • #20
704,589 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Carol,

Just reading evryone's comments and Al cracked me up with his. (LOL)I hope you have good weekend and an excellent open house. :)

5:16pm • #21
FEB
12
2012
1,911,842 Points 385 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi, Carol! 

I included this post in Last Week's Favorites.  Have a great week.

 

9:37am • #22
304,497 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Just had this conversation with my sister yesterday when her IPhone was lost. We carry so much personal information on our phones these days, it is irresponsible not to protect yourself with a passcode.

11:51am • #23
553,241 Points 147 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I felt my heart racing while I read that!  I just changed phones and I hadn't loaded a passcode yet.  Thanks for reminding me!

1:05pm • #24
974,854 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

All iPads and iPhone, too , are password protected. Good reminder for us all!

5:49pm • #25
231,678 Points 8 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Carol Ann - great post. I know how that feels. If you have any sensitive information on the phone, it is wise to password protect it.

9:05pm • #26
FEB
13
2012
1,030,212 Points 238 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Carol Ann- you described me perfectly as you were describing yourself.  I've not lost my phone (yet) but I know what it's like not to have control of it.  I took my Droid in for something that they said would take about 45 minutes.  They wanted me to leave it.  Me.. go somewhere without my phone.  I felt totally lost !

 

10:02pm • #27

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All


What does the graphic say?
Leave a response…


(optional)
Spam Prevention:
 


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog