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Cellular Phones/Trash or destroy old cell phones

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Expert: - 2/11/2011


Question
Hi,
Is there stored information on the SIM cards or hardwired anywhere on the phones so that the cards or phones should be destroyed before trashing?  You read that computer hard drives can be read and I just wonder about the potential for identity theft or other use of phone information that might be on them.
Art

Answer
If you cut your SIM card in half, it can't be read in any way. If you delete everything off your phone, there is no way for anyone to read it. There aren't programs today that can read deleted info off of your phone like you can on a computer's hard drive. Hope this helps.

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DebiN

Expertise

I can answer questions on cellular phones, the physical device, the network, contracts, billing, ordering, porting and what to look for when purchasing cell phones. I am located in the United States. I am an expert on BlackBerrys, Treos, HTC devices and iPhones as well as cellphones and aircards. I have over 15 years of experience in both the wireless and wireline world with the carriers. I have a lot of knowledge regarding the wireless providers - their services, prices and policies, both GSM AT&T and T-Mobile) and CDMA (Verizon, Sprint/Nextel). I am very familiar with the individual devices and their specifications. I can also answer questions regarding BlackBerrys, iPhones and other PDAs, both Palm-based and Windows-based. I can troubleshoot most any problem someone is having with their cellular device or with the provider.

Experience

Over 20 years in the Telecom industry working for the carriers with individuals, small business, medium business and large corporations(Fortune 500). Also worked as a professor in Maryland for 10 years teaching telecommunications.

Organizations
I belong to several organizations

Education/Credentials
Master's in Telecommunications

Awards and Honors
Received several awards for papers that I have published over the years

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