Wife's iPhone stolen, thief texts me?

[kattjeveln]

Hello all,

a few days ago my wife's iPhone was stolen. As soon as we noticed it was gone (half an hour or so later) we used my iPhone to put it in lost mode using the find my iPhone app (it was shut down though). I also made sure the app notified me when the iPhone was found. Later that day my wife got an email telling us the iPhone was found and put into locked mode. It was only for a moment though, and then the iPhone was shut down again. We had told the app to leave a message of turning the phone in to the police, but left no phone number thinking the thieves wouldn't care (and we didn't want them to have the number), but perhaps if they gave up on the lock they'd throw the phone away and someone would read the message at least.

Later though, I started getting texts to my number containing fake iCloud login phishing links. The thieves obviously cannot access the phone and want the iCloud information so they can mark the phone as found, and wipe it. What strikes me as odd though, is, why are they texting me? Never did we put my number in any message, and my Apple ID isn't the one that was used on the app. Could it have been as simple as the face that we used my phone to locate hers via the app, that the thieves somehow managed to get a hold of my number? Or is it in some other way? I'm clueless here...

//kat

 

[Cascades42]

Did you lock your SIM card? If not then they could just take it out and put it in another phone to retrieve any data on there which may include contacts - and it gives them the ability to make phone calls and text messages.

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

Those thief bastards know no boundaries.

 

[NougatDude]

Hunt them down

 

[kattjeveln]

Did you lock your SIM card? If not then they could just take it out and put it in another phone to retrieve any data on there which may include contacts - and it gives them the ability to make phone calls and text messages.

This is a possibility. We did not lock the sim card until later that night, but it still requires a PIN code to unlock it even if it's usable? Maybe easy peasy for thieves... However, who else but my wife would know the iCloud login information? Why ask me?

 

[Droidbricker]

They probably got your number using Siri... “Hey Siri, call my husband” or something like that.
Offer a reward and have them meet you somewhere. Skin suit them.

 

[kattjeveln]

Hunt them down

Oh I tried, indeed. But there's just not that much to do if the phone is shut down really...

 

[ectospheno]

If your phone was lost then find my iphone is helpful. If it was stolen then your odds of ever getting it back are slim to none. Change your icloud password and just write it off as gone. Sorry for your lose.

 

[protoxx]

Update the lost mode to wipe.

 

[kattjeveln]

If your phone was lost then find my iphone is helpful. If it was stolen then your odds of ever getting it back are slim to none. Change your icloud password and just write it off as gone. Sorry for your lose.

Yes, this is how my mind is set up. But it bothers me that they're texting me, who has no connection to the stolen phone...
[doublepost=1505759183][/doublepost]

Update the lost mode to wipe.

That was made a few days ago. Although, I doubt it will be turned on again. Hope so though. Can't they wipe it themselves, instead of tricking me to give them my info?

 

[protoxx]

1. Report your lost or stolen device to local law enforcement. Law enforcement might request the serial number of your device. Find your device serial number.

If you remove the device from your account after you erase it, Activation Lock will be turned off. This allows another person to activate and use your device.

What if your device is off or offline?
If your missing device is off or offline, you can still put it in Lost Mode, lock it, or remotely erase it. The next time your device is online, these actions will take effect. If you remove the device from your account while it's offline, any pending actions for the device is cancelled.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201472

As long as you keep it on your account if it is in lost mode or wiped it can't be activated.
If you delete it from your account they can activate it and they now have a usable phone.

 

[kattjeveln]

1. Report your lost or stolen device to local law enforcement. Law enforcement might request the serial number of your device. Find your device serial number.

If you remove the device from your account after you erase it, Activation Lock will be turned off. This allows another person to activate and use your device.

What if your device is off or offline?
If your missing device is off or offline, you can still put it in Lost Mode, lock it, or remotely erase it. The next time your device is online, these actions will take effect. If you remove the device from your account while it's offline, any pending actions for the device is cancelled.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201472

Yup, I've read all that. Which is why I have a pending wipe, but will not remove it from my account to keep it locked after the wipe operation (if that ever happens...)

Still, my number though :/
[doublepost=1505760490][/doublepost]Could there be any connection to my number being listed in the wife's health app? Does those numbers show when clicking emergency at the locked screen?

Edit: I checked "Medicinal ID" and there were som numbers listed. Problably how the thief got my number...

 

[rsxmachine]

what about medical ID? On my emergency tab I wrote my wifes name and phone number.

 

[kattjeveln]

what about medical ID? On my emergency tab I wrote my wifes name and phone number.

Yes, check my previous post. This is probably the explanation.

 

[44267547]

Offer a reward and have them meet you somewhere.

That's probably some of the worst advice I have ever read on here. You would suggest for the iPhone owner to meet some complete stranger's who stole their iPhone and who attempted to break into it? Do you have any idea the possibilities or outcomes of who these people are and what they're capable of? This is a police matter. Allow them to handle it and assist if they possibly can retrieve it for owner.

 

[kattjeveln]

That's probably some of the worst advice I have ever read on here. You would suggest for the iPhone owner to meet some complete stranger's who stole their iPhone and who attempted to break into it? Do you have any idea the possibilities or outcomes of who these people are and what they're capable of? This is a police matter. Allow them to handle it and assist if they possibly can retrieve it for owner.

That I would never dare to do. If anything, I'll leave it to the police.

 

[protoxx]

Give them the address of a police substation. Tell them to ask for you inside. Leave a note at that substation desk about what you did and the name they will be asking for (not yours, made up).

 

[Givmeabrek]

Don't bother or risk trying to meet up with this thief. There is a good chance that the phone has been sold already. Normally a petty thief would not have the capability of sending phishing messages, capturing passwords, ID's etc. They quickly sell these phones to a group of crooks that make a living at this type of activity.
[doublepost=1505763539][/doublepost]

Give them the address of a police substation. Tell them to ask for you inside. Leave a note at that substation desk about what you did and the name they will be asking for (not yours, made up).

Even your average phone thief is not that dumb...

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

What strikes me as odd though, is, why are they texting me? Never did we put my number in any message, and my Apple ID isn't the one that was used on the app. Could it have been as simple as the face that we used my phone to locate hers via the app, that the thieves somehow managed to get a hold of my number? Or is it in some other way? I'm clueless here...

//kat

Did you text her phone recently before it was stolen? The thief could probably see your number on the lock screen. But then again, probably only your contact name.

 

[noobinator]

say: New phone, who dis?

 

[Givmeabrek]

Did you text her phone recently before it was stolen? The thief could probably see your number on the lock screen. But then again, probably only your contact name.

Good point. If you called/texted her phone your number may show up on the lock screen.

 

[bufffilm]

Just ignore them and keep the lock in place...forever.

 

[protoxx]

Even your average phone thief is not that dumb...

At least if they are unfamiliar that substation with it they may drive by and have and oh **** moment.

Don't give the too much credit. Prisons aren't exactly full of Harvard PHD graduates.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Never remove the lock!

 

[Droidbricker]

That's probably some of the worst advice I have ever read on here. You would suggest for the iPhone owner to meet some complete stranger's who stole their iPhone and who attempted to break into it? Do you have any idea the possibilities or outcomes of who these people are and what they're capable of? This is a police matter. Allow them to handle it and assist if they possibly can retrieve it for owner.

LOL, beta advice. Bait them with reward money and show your wife that you’re no p*ssy OP. It’s the only way!