I let my supervisor borrow my cell phone for her trip. She just called to tell me that she left it on the plane in Paris and it's lost for good! (she never even got to Italy with the phone, realized she left it on the BOS-CDG flight when she arrived in Florence). She called Air France and was able to speak to someone at lost and found and there is no record a phone being turned in.
I bought it at a WIN store in Florence in Oct. Along with the phone was the cell phone number and original phone card with the SIM number on it (or whatever comes in the little box).
Do I need to worry? I know I had to give my passport (they copied it) to get the phone. I'm sure someone has the phone and is probably using it. (and it was in the cutest little pink holder). :
My friend tried everything she could to see if it was turned in, but no luck. She's worried that the phone number is linked with my passport number. I told her I'd probably have to go to Italy to resolve the issue.
She owes me another 3 weeks off, don't you think?
thank you for any advice or reassurance that this is no big deal. I'm sure cell phones get lost quite often .
That is horrible! Has she offered to AT LEAST replace it??? Yes, another vacation is in order!
We leave for Rome next week. I would be happy to get you a new one and look for a pink case.
Tell your supervisor to send me LOTS of cash ASAP! Seriously, let me know if I can help.
I don't think you have to worry about the passport issue. I probably wouldn't even have thought of that. People lose phones and eyeglasses all the time. Brad left his prescription glasses on the plane last time we came home from Italy, and no one turned them in, or so said the airline.
I bought it at a WIN store in Florence in Oct. Along with the phone was the cell phone number and original phone card with the SIM number on it (or whatever comes in the little box). Frown
I take it the original phone card had your PIN number on it. You should never keep the PIN number with your phone.
This is really bad that it was your supervisor and not a coworker. This person is not your friend, but your supervisor. You can try and discuss it with her about replacing it. See where the conversation goes. This person may not volunteer to replace the phone, in which case you are out of luck. This person does your performance appraisal. This is a very subjective activity. if you piss her off, it is possible to get a bad review even if you were to save the company from bankruptcy.
Posts: 3853 | Location: St Paul, MN | Registered: 10 February 2006
I imagine that the absolute worse thing that could happen to you is that a criminal (or one of the "T-word" guys) got your phone and used it in furtherance of his nefarious activities, and then the phone number was traced to you.
Make yourself a file of your correspondence with the airline and keep it, just in case... also print a copy of this post about the loss and keep it in the file. Talk to your insurance people and see how they respond. Keep that in the file. (Which brings up an idea...when my van was burglarized in Washington DC, our insurance ...and I'm pretty sure it was our homeowners' liability insurance... covered the loss of items owned by my daughter's and my son's friends who were traveling with us.) You might ask your supervisor to check with her insurance carrier and see what coverage she might have under her liability coverage. Even if you don't get anything, you have asked and can document when the phone was lost.
Bummer Mindy! I have been known to lose a few cell phones in my life and have never had any problems/charges as a result. I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it just document everything as Bill suggested. I agree that she owes more vacation time to get a new Italian phone though. Need a roomate while you travel to replace it?
Actually, If you could file a lost report at the carabinieri and go to the phone provider store -TIM, Vodafone etc- you can get a new sim and the old phone number.
Originally posted by Nick z: With TIM at least you can block the SIM/phone online. Problem is looking at the website you need to know the secret number printed on the SIM.
Gosh Mindy, so sorry this creates a dilemma with your boss. Like Colleen, I am also guilty of losing valuable things now and again. A watch, a couple of rings, savings bonds, etc., you get the picture. That said, I also know that if I lose or damage something which belongs to someone else, I should provide them with compensation. I hope that she ultimately steps up to the plate and offers to not only replace your phone, but also offers up any necessary financial compensation if any problems do arise.
If it helps in the littlest bit, your negative experience has inspired discussion which will help others. As Nick suggests in the above post, I am now writing down the number from my Italian SIM card. 'Cause hey, you just never know!
Cindy ~ "Follow your Bliss." Find where it is, and don't be afraid to follow it. ~ Joseph Campbell
Posts: 767 | Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA | Registered: 16 November 2005
I would consider the phone as lost for good. However, it would be wise to write the SIM provider to void the number; I would do it in writing (email, fax, or even better, registered mail). If the SIM turns out to be involved in some crime, at least you will be able to show that you took care to cancel.
I agree that it is quite unlikely that a lost SIM goes into the black market. But as a black market SIM may be used for major crimes, including terrorism, a simple letter will bring you peace of mind. Consider that it is standard police procedure now, if a crime happens, to check all the cell phones present in the area at the time.
Oh, Mindy, what a mess! I'm so sorry to hear about this. Did you have plans to use the phone again soon? I think you've gotten some good suggestions though for follow-ups, and I do hope your supervisor does the right thing.
I think, too, that posting about your situation is a caution to all of us. If we lend our European phones to someone, it's probably best not to include the SIM card, but let them buy their own. I would never have thought twice about it before, but considering all the potential hassles to you now that your phone is lost, I will never lend anyone my card!
First let me say that my supervisor happens to be a friend and she feels horrible about the siuation. She'll give me the Euros to buy a new phone the next time I'm in Italy.
I know that the store I bought it sold WIN cards, (not TIM) it was near Orsanmichele, maybe on Via dei Lamberti? Via Orsanmichele? (if you were facing the phone store, Orsanmichele was down the street to the left).
I will have her document everything she did in trying to locate the phone left on the Air France plane. Once I figure out the actual cell phone provider, I will try to get a fax number and have them cancel the SIM card. All I have is my cell phone number. I MAY have the receipt, but I may have left that in the phone box which I gave her. What an a$$ I am! But, lesson learned and I'm happy that this can help others in the future.
Maureen (formerly Favourite Moderator) is going to Florence in a few weeks. Maybe she'll do some investigating for me! Perhaps hang out at the local carabinari station
anyway, I'll not lose sleep over it, but I think notifying the SIM card provider, somehow, is the way to go and keep copies of this thread and any written info my supervisor gives me.
The cell phone provider is probably WIND and their website is www.155.it. I don't remember if it is in English but if it isn't and you would like for me to contact them for you to cancel the SIM I can do it. Just let me know.
Originally posted by Alessandra Federici: Actually, If you could file a lost report at the carabinieri and go to the phone provider store -TIM, Vodafone etc- you can get a new sim and the old phone number.
When I lost my phone with Vodafone SIM card (it was actually stolen, but I had no wau to prove it was, so I could not file it as stolen), I did not need to file anything, except the request for a substitute SIM card with the same number. The old card was deactivated automatically when the new one was issued.
Originally posted by maureen: Have you tried calling the #, just to see if someone answers? Might be worth a try. Try this: "Vous etes un voleur!"
Mais pas de tout! It's possible that the person that picked up the phone has every intention of returning it. It happened to me just recently. I stupidly dropped my phone - a super expensive smart phone - and it's not insured. Once I discovered I didn't have it, I rang the number and the chap that picked it up answered and told me where we could meet so that he could return it to me. He was even rather good looking. I couldn't believe my luck.
I would certainly try ringing the number if you haven't already. I guess the chances are not great, but you never know.
Beebee
Posts: 1966 | Location: London, UK | Registered: 09 September 2002
Mindy Just for fun Check Ebay for Italian phones with sim card. you might see yours up for sale. Thats where I bought mine though I did eventualy have to go into a TIM store and register them.
Originally posted by maureen: Have you tried calling the #, just to see if someone answers? Might be worth a try. Try this: "Vous etes un voleur!"
I am with beebee on this one. Happened twice to me, I receive two phone calls, one from one guy that found my friend's phone on the train. He cheched on the numbers list and called the first number that looked italian, I then called my friend and they met in Perugia a week later, phone was given back, thanks were offered. Another time I received a call from OBI in Arezzo -OBI is a brico store- the manager called checking on the phone list on the cell phone in the purse -mind you with wallet, documents,money and all- and called the first italian looking name. My friend had left it in the cart outside the shop. He said that whenever she wanted, she could go to the offices of the shop, her purse and all within was in their safe. I have called myself one person in USA years ago, to tell him that he had left his computer under some tablecloth in my store. He had a label with his cell number on. I sent it back to the states.
I don't know how good looking the people were, but that was not that important
Cristina has graciously offered to call and cancel my SIM/cell phone number. I'm still waiting to hear if she was successful. (***fingers crossed***)
Gerri (the person who lost the phone) did try to call the number a few times but never got through to anyone. I'm questioning whether or not she dialed the number correctly. I may try the number this weekend just for kicks, although I'm not sure what to say if someone actually answered it Maybe George Clooney found it and will deliver it in person!
The phone cost me €60,00, Gerri gave me her last €50,00 and $20.00 to cover the cost of the phone. Also a beautiful pair of earrings and a gorgeous pashmina wrap.
(she never even got to Italy with the phone, realized she left it on the BOS-CDG flight when she arrived in Florence). She called Air France and was able to speak to someone at lost and found and there is no record a phone being turned in. 
