If a cellphone is lost, can it be found or traced if the phone is still being used?

Answer 1

Trace no.
Useage yes. The cell company can tell if in use and when last used.
You really should suspend it so you do not rack up charges.
People call international places and you will pay.
Normally you have 48 hours.
Ex VZ employee and people that did not report paid dearly. One person had an $8000 bill for overages.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Actually theres a safety feature in some verizon phones that sends out a signal so the phone can be located. This is intended for use like if a child is lost and has their phone. The feature has to be turned on (its off by default) and the authorities are the ones who can trace it not Verizon. I'm unsure if they would want to use their resources to find a lost cellphone unless it was a missing persons situation.

Answer 4

Yes, it can be tracked. For one reason: Remember the E-911 service fee you pay for on your cell phone. They must by law be able to track your cellphone to within so many feet. They can come sort of close - that is 100 meters - about the length of a football field.

The requirement is: The phone must be turned on and in use.

The caveat is: By law - they do not have to help you, they only must help the police.

Also - from a finance point of view - their only goal is to sell you a new phone and sign you up for a new service contract. Where is the incentive?

And yes, every phone has a serial number built in, that number is transmitted as part of making a phone call. Otherwise - how would they know who to charge?

Others are correct - you should call your provider immediately and tell them. At that point they have a fiduciary responsibility to minimize the damages, and if they tell you otherwise - they are full of it. They must do what a reasonably prudent person would do, problem is: define "reasonably prudent".

Answer 5

I would recommend that if you lost your phone you should contact your service provider so they can temporarily suspend your line. If you don't, you will be responsible for the charges. There isn't a way to track it. It's not CSI where you can track the cell on the go.

Answer 6

Actually they CAN track your cell they offered for mine :) (I found it before they had to)