Ever left your phone in a taxi? Been caught in the middle of a terrorist attack? Whatever the scenario, do the following to resolve the situation with grace and cool.

Back ‘em Up

You see that CD in the box of your newly bought phone? In it, there are usually content synchronization programs like Nokia’s PC Suite and Window’s Mobile ActiveSync that help you import contacts and other data from your phone to your computer. The program stores this information so that in the off chance you lose your phone it can easily be restored to a new one.

PIN and PUK

Your PIN is a password to access your SIM card. The PUK is the number used just in case you forget the PIN. It is wise to make your phone ask for the PIN number after it has been turned off. When a phone is stolen, the thief usually turns it off, and if you have the PIN working, when it is turned back on, they will need to put in the correct PIN number to activate the SIM card. If the PIN is incorrectly keyed in three times, the SIM card will be locked. Of course, if they remove the SIM card the phone can still be used, that’s why you need to...

Keep the IMEI number

International Mobile Equipment Identity (your phone’s serial number) won’t get you your phone back but it will thwart the thief’s attempts to use it. Here’s how you can get a hold of the number. Type “*#06#” and the 14-digit number will show up. If your phone gets stolen, you can report the number to your network (AIS, DTAC, True, etc.) and the phone will be “locked,” making it impossible to be used or sold.

Store your mom under ICE

Useful when you are stumbling about in a drunk coma or when you’re already dead. The idea behind ICE dates from the bombings in the London’s Underground. People are now encouraged to store “In Case of Emergency” numbers in their phone in the event of, well, emergencies, like a terrorist attack or a tsunami. The number can be that of your spouse or your closest family member, and it should be saved under the name “ICE”. The problem with por tek tung is that nobody has told them about the new trend. Some even think you’re supposed to keep the phone you find on a lifeless body.