Mobile Phone Recycling Comparison Site CompareMyMobile Quiz Leading UK Recyclers on Data Wiping

Gadget recycling comparison service CompareMyMobile has performed a mystery shop on the 40+ UK recycling vendors it lists on the site, to investigate exactly how many wipe data from phones which are sent to them.

Key points:

·  CompareMyMobile received 16 responses from recyclers including big names such as Envirofone

·  Most UK recyclers have strict data wiping processes in place

·  The site advise UK consumers to wipe data themselves as well, as an extra measure

CompareMyMobile felt that data wiping at UK recycling companies needed further investigation following reports that stolen and recycled mobile phones, which still contain personal and important data, are being sold to foreign criminals who use the data to commit fraud*.

Data fraud

Security Software Firm, BlackBelt, said they had seen a ‘huge increase’ in criminal gangs selling stolen or recycled handsets to fuel this crime. The report states that sensitive data, such as emails, banking details, PINs and personal photos are particularly attractive to criminals, who use it to work out who the former owner is and what they own.

CompareMyMobile’s mystery shop

To ensure that consumers got the most accurate responses, recycling partners on the site were sent an email from CompareMyMobile – who posed as a potential customer enquiring as to whether the data would be deleted on the device’s arrival.

Site experts received a total of sixteen responses, and found that the majority of UK recyclers do have a vigilant data wiping plan in place, which includes making an extra effort to wipe data from individual phones on arrival.

To see the full responses, click here.

Manual data wiping

CompareMyMobile always recommend that users perform a manual data wipe themselves as well** by restoring their device back to factory settings. Some UK recyclers will even advise customers on how to do this before sending their phone off. This ensures that the mobile phone is checked at least twice for remaining data, before is leaves the recycling company.

However, the site say this mystery shop does show that most recycling companies do have comprehensive, in-depth recycling processes, which includes a data wipe of all devices sent in. Furthermore, CompareMyMobile has never received any reports from customers of their data being used in any criminal activity. 

Notes for editors

For further information on the 40+ recycling vendors on CompareMyMobile or for custom quotes/data from our media team, please contact Co-Founder Ashley Turner. You can also see our previous news from the site’s main Press Page, and view our attached Useful Facts and PR Resources pack to see more facts/figures and previous press coverage.

*Please see mobile data theft article in Resource Links below for more information on reports

**Please see CompareMyMobile’s FAQs Resource Link below, where instructions for manual data wiping can be found