MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — If you’re unlucky enough to have your cell phone stolen, a new database will make your phone useless to thieves.
Wireless carriers announced they’re teaming up with federal and local authorities to create a stolen phone database. Minneapolis Police have warned people to watch out for thieves grabbing phones right out of people’s hands, which they quickly re-sell.
With this new data base, once you report your phone as stolen, its unique ID number will be used to block it from being used again.
“Carriers with the push of a button will be able to take highly-prized stolen instruments and turns them into worthless pieces of plastic,” said Ray Kelly, the police commissioner in New York.
The carriers hope to have the database up and running in about six months.
