As most everyone knows, the theft of cell phones can be a very costly expense and frustrating experience for not only the consumer incurring the loss, but also the individual who unknowingly purchases the stolen device on a secondary market.

But AT&T this past week has announced the completion of the second phase of its stolen phone database, which enables customers to report and block stolen wireless devices.  AT&T is now able to share data on stolen phones with other GSM carriers, allowing a reported stolen phone to be disabled on AT&T’s network.

“Earlier this year, AT&T joined Senator Schumer, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, Washington, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier, NYPD Deputy Chief Phil Pulaski and other wireless carriers at an event to discuss the growing problem of wireless device theft,” said Bob Quinn, senior vice president of Federal Regulatory and Chief Privacy Officer. 

 “As part of our many efforts to address this important issue, we launched a new website in May to help educate our customers on protecting their wireless device, and in July we began the initial phase of our stolen phone database.  Our customers’ safety is a top priority for AT&T and we look forward to continuing our work in this area.”

Customers may report a stolen phone and suspend their service online at www.att.com/stolenphone, at an AT&T store, or by contacting AT&T Customer Care at 1-800-331-0500. Within 24 hours, AT&T will block the use of a device reported as stolen.