Jan 6, 2025 | posted by Lily Chavez
As mobile upgrade season approaches, it’s important to protect your personal information before trading in, selling, or donating your phone. Here are four simple steps to help:
1. Backup Your Data
Save important files, contacts, and photos to ensure you have everything when setting up your new phone. You can use backup software or external hard drives to keep your files safe and easily accessible.
2. Remove SIM and SD Cards
Take out your SIM card (and SD card, if applicable) to protect your personal information. Destroy the SIM if you’re not transferring it to a new device.
3. Unlink Accounts
Remove your phone from trusted devices on accounts like Microsoft, Apple, and Google, especially if you use multi-factor authentication.
4. Erase Personal Information
Factory reset your phone to erase all personal data such as messages, passwords, and photos.
Once you set up your new device, enable automatic locking, keep it updated, and back up your data. If you use an authenticator app, set it up on your new phone. And if you’re not selling or trading your old phone, consider recycling it responsibly.
You can read more articles like this by visiting https://consumer.ftc.gov/scams
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