A local resident's iPhone was stolen on June 29, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia. According to Apple's guidance, the owner should have taken immediate action by putting their phone into Lost Mode through iCloud.com/find or the Find My app.
Apple recommends that owners do not leave a phone number and message on the lock screen if their iPhone has been stolen. This is because thieves can use the phone number as part of a social engineering scam to contact the owner while pretending to be Apple Support.
The company also emphasizes the importance of keeping Activation Lock enabled by leaving the device in Find My, even after it's remotely erased. Removing the iPhone from Find My would make it easier for thieves to resell or strip the device for parts.
There have been reports of scammers sending fake "Apple" messages to victims of stolen iPhones, demanding that they remove their phone from Find My and share personal information. Apple has stated that it will never contact owners about recovering a stolen iPhone.
The local police have not released any further details on the incident, but authorities recommend reporting thefts to them and contacting wireless carriers to suspend service if necessary.