Can the police help track a stolen phone?

Question

The phone is a pda I used for business, so it had some information on it I wouldn't like to get in the wrong hands such as credit card information. I know police can track your phone to an almost exact location from experience. But would they?

Answer 1

Yes, but they won't.

I've had this happen and they tell me sorry, or the cell phone company says "oh we can't tell you for privacy reasons."

The truth is they don't want to admit they can locate lost phones, they want you to go and buy another phone.  

Answer 2

Most police departments don't have the budget for the equipment that requires it.  It is extremely expensive and doubtful they would use it for a phone theft. The city I live in has 300,000 people and 4 different police depts (2 college, county, and city). The city's is large on it's own and can't afford that type of technology. I have only seen them use it once. They brought in the FBI (who does have it) to track a phone stolen in connection with a double murder/rape. I don't mean any offense by this, but I don't think they will be much help.  

Answer 3

The police will not track your phone for you. Most departments don't even investigate these reports anymore. They won't subpoena the phone records because you have access to the phone records and you can supply this information. They won't subpoena the cell tower records for a stolen phone case. This is time consuming and the cell phone providers charge a fee for this information. Have you cell phone provider cancel the phone and contact the three major credit bureaus and your bank about the stolen personal information.

The info that your getting on here is so misguided. But the answer to your question is "no they won't". It doesn't take any equipment to track a phone. The cell phone provider does this by real time cell phone tower information and the phone can be located in a small general area.

Answer 4

Most of the local police departments lack the necessary manpower and/or technology to solve such types of crimes, so they prefer to indulge themselves in major crimes only. Secondly these small criminals are the ones who give uas the information about the big ones(just like in movies) so generally they are spared. and also all the other reasons mentioned by others.

But it is not impossible to locate a stolen cellphone, you may get back your cellphone if the thief is caught by the police for other crimes. I even once received my stolen clothes as the thief was nabbed in another case of robbery.

Answer 5

Your cell phone provider can track it to the nearest tower, but not an specific location without a GPS.

The police could also subpoena records to see if any calls were made or received from the phone after it was stolen.

Answer 6

nope, they just file the report. criminals are smart. they will not stay any where near the crime scene. they'll look for the guy, but they might not find it.

no point on calling them, pigs are lame