How to Report a Lost Phone to the NTC and Police in the Philippines

This article explains, in Philippine legal context, how to properly report a lost or stolen mobile phone to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and to law enforcement, what to prepare, and what rights and remedies you have. It also includes practical checklists and templates.

1) Why reporting matters

Disable the device and SIM to protect your accounts, money, and personal data.
Block the IMEI so the handset can’t be used on Philippine networks.
Create a legal paper trail (police blotter + affidavit of loss/theft) needed for telco action, insurance claims, or future disputes.
Deter fencing and assist recovery if authorities find your device.

2) The legal & regulatory backdrop (plain-English)

Revised Penal Code: taking without violence is theft; taking with intimidation, force, or violence is robbery. Either way, you should blotter it.
NTC Charter & regulations: NTC oversees public telecommunications entities (PTEs) and implements device/SIM blocking through directives to carriers.
SIM Registration law: subscribers must promptly report lost or stolen SIMs; PTEs must deactivate upon report and may reactivate once recovered with proper proof.
Data Privacy Act: you remain the data controller of what’s on your phone; telcos and platforms must apply security measures and act on lawful requests.
Consumer protection: carriers must have clear loss-reporting processes and can be held to account (administratively with NTC, civilly in court) for unjustified inaction.

(Note: Specific internal deadlines vary by carrier/NTC directives. Follow the steps below and keep dated records.)

3) Immediate actions (first 15–30 minutes)

Secure your accounts
- Change passwords for email, banking, payments, social, and ride-hailing.
- Use “Find My iPhone” / “Find My Device” to lock and remote-wipe.
- Enable Lost Mode (shows a call-back number). Don’t go to the phone’s live location alone.
Call your carrier (PTE)
- Report SIM loss/theft for immediate deactivation (voice/SMS/data).
- Ask about SIM replacement (bring an ID + affidavit later) and number retention.
- Record the ticket/reference number, agent name, date/time.
List the device identifiers
- IMEI (15 digits). Find it on the box, receipt, or your account dashboard; it’s also on *#06#.
- Model, serial number, color, case/marks.
- Attach receipts or screenshots showing ownership.

4) Reporting to the Police (PNP) and/or Barangay

A. Where to go

Nearest police station to where the incident happened (or nearest to you, if unknown).
Barangay hall may accept a blotter, but police blotter is the primary record for NTC/telcos.

B. What to bring

One valid ID.
Proof of ownership (receipt, box, postpaid contract, warranty card, screenshots).
IMEI and SIM mobile number(s).
Narrative: date, time, place, how it was lost or taken, any suspects/witnesses, and if force/intimidation was used.

C. What to ask for

A Police Blotter Entry (get the entry number, date/time, and station).
A formal Police Report if needed (some carriers/insurers require this).
If the device was robbed with force or intimidation, request in the blotter that the incident be classified as robbery and, if applicable, snatching/pickpocketing for accuracy.

5) Reporting to the NTC (for IMEI blocking)

NTC can direct carriers to blacklist your IMEI across networks operating in the Philippines.

A. Prepare a request package

Letter-request to NTC asking for IMEI blocking.
Affidavit of Loss/Theft (notarized).
Police blotter/report (copy).
Proof of ownership (receipt/contract/box with IMEI).
Valid government ID of the owner (and of representative, if any, plus authorization letter).

B. Where and how to file

NTC Regional Office or Central Office (walk-in or via their published submission channels).
Keep receiving copy stamped with date, or any electronic acknowledgment.
Note the NTC case/reference number.

C. Follow-through

Ask for the effective date of IMEI blocking and how to verify it.
If you recover the phone, file a reactivation request to remove the IMEI from the blacklist (bring the recovered unit and IDs).

6) Coordinating with your Carrier after NTC filing

Provide the NTC acknowledgment and your police report if the carrier asks.
Request confirmation that your device’s IMEI is on the blacklist and your SIM remains deactivated.
If you need your number back, process SIM replacement (usually at a service center with ID + affidavit).

7) Evidence & documentation checklist

✅ IMEI (from box/receipt/account screenshot)
✅ Proof of purchase or ownership
✅ Police blotter/report (with date, time, station, entry no.)
✅ Notarized affidavit (loss/theft)
✅ NTC receiving copy / ticket no.
✅ Carrier ticket no. and any emails/SMS confirmations
✅ Photos of the unit, distinguishing marks, case/accessories

8) If your phone is later found or resold

Do not self-recover with force. Coordinate with PNP.
Bring your receipts, IMEI printout, and NTC/case documents.
For online marketplace sightings, capture screenshots (listing, seller handle, chat), then raise with PNP (Anti-Cybercrime Group) and NTC.
After lawful recovery, request IMEI reactivation from NTC and SIM/number reactivation from your carrier with the device present.

9) Special situations

Company-issued phones: inform your employer; they may be the legal owner and must file the NTC request.
Minors: parent/guardian files with IDs and proof of relationship.
Foreign nationals: you can file with passport and proof you used the device/SIM locally.
No receipts/box: gather secondary proof—screenshots of the IMEI from your cloud backups, account invoices, telco plan documents, or repair receipts listing the IMEI. Execute a detailed affidavit explaining ownership and how you know the IMEI.

10) Remedies if agencies or carriers don’t act

Escalate in writing to the NTC regional director (cite your reference no. and attach your evidence).
File an administrative complaint with NTC against a non-responsive carrier.
Consider small claims/civil action for documented losses caused by negligent inaction (keep all receipts and communications).
For mishandling of your personal data, lodge a complaint with the National Privacy Commission.

11) Practical timelines & expectations (typical, not guaranteed)

Carrier SIM deactivation: immediate upon report and verification.
Police blotter: same-day issuance.
NTC IMEI blacklisting: depends on processing; keep following up with your case no.
Reactivation: requires your presence, recovered handset, IDs, and paperwork.

12) Common pitfalls to avoid

❌ Waiting days before reporting—thieves can transfer OTPs and drain wallets quickly.
❌ Reporting to the wrong station with no jurisdictional details—give a clear incident location/time.
❌ No proof of ownership—prepare substitutes if you lost the box/receipt.
❌ Forgetting to remote-wipe and remove the device from your account after filing.
❌ Not keeping reference numbers—you’ll need them for follow-ups and insurance.

13) Templates

A. Affidavit of Loss/Theft (sample)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
___________________________ ) S.S.

AFFIDAVIT OF LOSS/THEFT

I, ________________________, of legal age, (civil status), Filipino, with address at
__________________________________________, after having been duly sworn, depose and state:

1. I am the owner/authorized user of one (1) mobile phone described as:
   Brand/Model: ______________________
   IMEI: _____________________________
   Serial No. (if any): ______________
   Color/Distinctive Marks: __________

2. On __________ (date) at around __________ (time) at __________________ (place),
   the said device was [lost / stolen / robbed]; brief narration of facts: ________________.

3. I immediately reported the incident to: (a) PNP Station __________ (Blotter No. ________,
   dated __________), and (b) my carrier, Reference/Ticket No. __________ dated __________.

4. I execute this affidavit to request the National Telecommunications Commission and/or
   my carrier to block/deactivate the device and SIM as may be applicable, and for any
   lawful purpose it may serve.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of __________ 20___ at
___________________________, Philippines.

Affiant: ______________________
Gov’t ID No.: ________________  Date/Place Issued: __________________

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this ___ day of __________ 20___, affiant exhibiting
the above-stated identification.

Notary Public
Doc. No. ___; Page No. ___; Book No. ___; Series of 20___.

B. Letter-Request to NTC (IMEI Blocking)

Date: __________

Director __________
National Telecommunications Commission – [Region/Central]
[Office Address]

Subject: Request to Blacklist IMEI and Block Use of Lost/Stolen Mobile Phone

Dear Director __________:

I am requesting the blacklisting of the following device:

Owner: ______________________
Mobile Number(s): ____________
Brand/Model: ________________
IMEI: ________________________

The device was [lost/stolen] on [date/time] at [place]. It has been blottered with PNP
(Blotter/Report No. ________, [station], dated [date]). The SIM has been deactivated with
[Carrier], Ref. No. ________ dated [date].

Attached are copies of my valid ID, proof of ownership (receipt/box/contract), the police
blotter/report, and my notarized Affidavit of Loss/Theft.

I respectfully request confirmation once the IMEI has been blacklisted and guidance on
reactivation if the device is recovered.

Sincerely,
[Name, Signature]
[Address | Email | Mobile]

14) Quick reference checklist

Lock phone; enable Lost Mode; remote-wipe
Change passwords/disable wallet & in-app payments
Call carrier: deactivate SIM; note ticket no.
Prepare IMEI + ownership proof
Police blotter/report
Notarized affidavit
File request with NTC; keep receiving copy
Follow up on IMEI blacklisting
If recovered: request IMEI and SIM reactivation

15) FAQs

Q: Can NTC block my phone even without a receipt? A: Yes, if you sufficiently prove ownership (IMEI evidence + affidavit + blotter + other records). The stronger your proof set, the smoother the process.

Q: Will blocking work on foreign networks? A: The NTC-ordered blacklist is enforced by Philippine carriers. If the phone is taken abroad, foreign enforcement depends on the other country’s operators/rules.

Q: Can I keep my mobile number? A: Usually yes. Request SIM replacement from your carrier with proper ID and affidavit.

Q: Is barangay blotter enough? A: It helps, but police blotter is the standard document for NTC/telco action.

Final note

Keep everything dated and documented. The combination of (1) carrier deactivation, (2) police blotter, and (3) NTC IMEI blacklisting provides the strongest shield against misuse and the best chance of recovery or deterrence.