Reminder: Delete your cell phone’s information before you sell

Posted on 01 October 2009 by


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In case you missed this story, Yahoo posted a funny little PSA on how to go about what not to do when it comes to dispose of your old cell phone.

Clearly the folks at Missouri University didn’t read Carly’s recent reminder about how to go about deleting information off your cell phone before you get rid of it.

It seems the athletic department at Missouri University had some old cell phones to get rid of.  The phones were sold at a University surplus sale and when the buyer, Bellman, purchased 25 of them for $190 he discovered that none of the information, (address book, text messages, e-mails etc.) had been deleted.

One of the phones, a Sprint Treo, had belonged to the school’s head basketball coach Mike Anderson and had on it messages between him and the school’s head football coach Gary Pinkel.

It turns out none of the information was all that controversial.  Most of the messages were well wishes on upcoming games etc.  But imagine if they phones did contain important data such as recruiting information or game plans.

Just another reminder to make sure you protect yourself and fully delete everything off that old cell phone before you sell it.

You can read the entire article here.

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- who has written 824 posts on Gear Diary.

I have always had a passion for gear and gadgets. It all started for me with the release of the very first Palm Pilot. I've always had an interest in handheld electronics. From handheld PDAs, to cell phones, Mp3 players, watches and other products, I'm the first person my friends, family and colleagues call when they need advice on tech. I have roots in the online tech. forum community. I served as the Administrator to Howard Forums.com and as a Moderator at both Treo Central.com and Blackberry Forums.net. Under the screen name “lgreenberg” I've amassed 50,000+ postings. I also manage my own YouTube channel under the user name larrygreenberg. I'm always eager to help.

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  • http://www.mobilitysite.com breley

    Hmmm…that gives me an idea. The next phone I’ll sell I’ll put the name and number of someone I don’t like with some fake emails instructing said person to be sure to dig up the Beale Treasure the two of us found and reburied in that person’s back yard.

    Just kidding! ;-)

  • Joel McLaughlin

    Actually sometimes the phonebook is more valuable than the messages. Anyone remember when Paris Hilton’s Sidekick was hacked?