The central government has launched a new project called the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) to rescue people who have had their mobile phones lost or stolen. Whether it is about the data on the phone or the value of the phone itself, losing a phone is a very common mishap, so the new helpline will be of good help.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has set up the dedicated helpline to help users report lost or stolen mobile phones. In addition to reporting theft or loss, the CEIR will also try to help users in tracing their mobile phones as and when possible.
The Government web portal was unveiled by Union Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday. Currently, the project is running on the pilot in Maharashtra, and will eventually be rolled out across the entire country.
How does the web portal work?
First, you will have to file a First Information Report (FIR) with the police and then inform DoT through helpline number 14422. After verification, DoT will blacklist the phone, blocking it from further use. All mobile phones have a unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number used to identify them.
So when you lose a device, you can track your phone using the IMEI number. The portal will act as a central system for all telecom companies to share blacklisted mobile devices so that such phones will not work in another network even if the SIM card in the handset is changed.
In case if anyone is using your stolen or lost device, the telecom service provider will be able to identify and track the new user. This information will then be shared with the police.
