Has anyone ever had an ereader stolen?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by mbovenka

I also have left a Kindle DXG on the train once. In a gorgeous Oberon 'Sky Dragon' cover to boot. That one still smarts

I always make sure that I have contact details prominently displayed on the inside of the cover of all my reading devices. That worked for me once when I left a Kindle in the seat pocket of an aeroplane: it was found by the airport cleaners and I got it back.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by ProDigit

I'm not sure if the people who stole the device reset the device before connecting to the web, if that could stop bricking the device.

Nah. The device has both a serial number and MAC-address (for the WIFI card). The MAC-address is unique; the serial number probably is as well. Both can't be changed by the user (unless they hack the firmware and spoof the numbers, somehow), so Amazon will have at least two options of blocking a Kindle trying to register.

Originally Posted by HarryT

I always make sure that I have contact details prominently displayed on the inside of the cover of all my reading devices. That worked for me once when I left a Kindle in the seat pocket of an aeroplane: it was found by the airport cleaners and I got it back.

It's a good idea, but I'd never do that myself. I have a book style cover, and if I'd put the contact details on it, people setting across from me in public transport would be able to read them.

If the cover had a pocket or something I probably would but a business card in there.

[Ripplinger]

I've never had a reader stolen (or lost through my carelessness) luckily. But I would definitely do as suggested and change any password to any account that the Fire had access to, including your email accounts. Even if you deregistered the Fire, I'd also change the Amazon password.

[dandelioncottage]

About a year ago, someone broke into a friend's house while we were out, and stole her NookTablet and my Nook HD. I called Barnes & Noble immediately, and they deregistered both devices, which they said would effectively "brick" them. We changed our passwords and have never had any trouble with unauthorized purchases, etc. Hope the same is true for Kindle.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by NickyWithNook

My husband took my Kindle Fire on a business trip overseas, and it was stolen.

I've put a block on it so someone would have to enter a PIN to use it, and I've made it so I will be notified if it connects to the internet. I'm concerned because it has my amazon password in it so people could buy stuff - and have it sent to me or put on my ereader so not a huge threat, but still. It also has access to my email and contacts.

Go to Amazon and change your password.

[cromag]

I know this isn't exactly what you asked, but have you considered getting an inexpensive/used ereader specifically for traveling?

I picked up my JetBook Mini as an inexpensive "refurb" a couple of years ago just for vacations. Aside from being cheap, it has the advantage of looking like a toy -- it's brightly colored, has big buttons, etc. I considered it unlikely that anyone would be tempted to steal it. It's not an ideal reader, but it does well enough on books (like most fiction) that don't rely on fancy formatting. It also has the advantage of having no wifi and no connections to any online stores. If I lose it I only lose the inexpensive ereader.

I also picked up a very inexpensive Hanvon that I use when I have to accompany a family member on the train into New York for doctor visits. It's a much more capable eink ereader, and looks much more impressive than my Mini, but it was also very cheap and has no wifi or account information. If I lose it I only lose the ereader.



And, finally, if you want to include personal info on your ereader or it's cover, and you don't want it displayed at all times, you might consider something like a self-adhesive business card holder, and insert your business card (or any other card) backwards. It can't be seen until someone finds your ereader and removes the card. I've never used these for ereader cases, but I have used them in binders and been very happy with them.

[Tarana]

I also have left a Kindle DXG on the train once. In a gorgeous Oberon 'Sky Dragon' cover to boot. That one still smarts

I'm sure it does. In the information section of your kindle, put your phone number and email address. My sister's Kindle is registered to my account. She's lost it twice and twice I received a phone call telling me someone found my kindle.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by cromag

And, finally, if you want to include personal info on your ereader or it's cover, and you don't want it displayed at all times, you might consider something like a self-adhesive business card holder, and insert your business card (or any other card) backwards. It can't be seen until someone finds your ereader and removes the card. I've never used these for ereader cases, but I have used them in binders and been very happy with them.

The things that exist.

I often come up with the weirdest stuff to get things done, but I never think about something like this.

[NickyWithNook]

It looks like the new Kindle Fires will be down to $35 for Black Friday but I have more readers than I need so I'm not sure I'll replace it. Maybe if I could get my teenage daughter to read e-books. She's very old fashioned for a kid. I thought they loved technology.

I'm generally using my Paperwhite now, and I've got others for my husband to use, if he wants to read and I can trust him again! From what he said, he was warned not to leave valuables in one place, and he left his backpack figuring the only thing of value was the e-reader and no one would probably take that.

[frahse]

Originally Posted by cromag

I know this isn't exactly what you asked, but have you considered getting an inexpensive/used ereader specifically for traveling?

I picked up my JetBook Mini as an inexpensive "refurb" a couple of years ago just for vacations. Aside from being cheap, it has the advantage of looking like a toy -- it's brightly colored, has big buttons, etc. I considered it unlikely that anyone would be tempted to steal it. It's not an ideal reader, but it does well enough on books (like most fiction) that don't rely on fancy formatting. It also has the advantage of having no wifi and no connections to any online stores. If I lose it I only lose the inexpensive ereader.

I also picked up a very inexpensive Hanvon that I use when I have to accompany a family member on the train into New York for doctor visits. It's a much more capable eink ereader, and looks much more impressive than my Mini, but it was also very cheap and has no wifi or account information. If I lose it I only lose the ereader.



And, finally, if you want to include personal info on your ereader or it's cover, and you don't want it displayed at all times, you might consider something like a self-adhesive business card holder, and insert your business card (or any other card) backwards. It can't be seen until someone finds your ereader and removes the card. I've never used these for ereader cases, but I have used them in binders and been very happy with them.

Yes. We have done such.

Never have important stuff on any device that is not encrypted or doesn't have the data in a "vault' of a good security company or in your own on-line site or service under "lock and encrypted key". See "2 factor authentication" (2FA) especially an interactive constantly updating verification fob that is plugged into a USB port while you access your account

Finally have a copy of your master passwords, safe combinations, dual flash drives with tax and financial stuff, etc., extra important keys to safes and bank boxes, in a bank safety deposit box in case of amnesia or death.

And if you have a large gold bullion cache (which I don't have), a good place to bury it is under a metal fence post embedded in a deep concrete plug that is exposed to public view. A metal detector won't be of much help there. (Put it in a iron/steel box, large pipe or mix ferrous nails with the bars or coins in a plastic bag or box.) The word cache is deliberately being used here to imply something that is not accessed often.

[Froide]

Originally Posted by frahse

And if you have a large gold bullion cache (which I don't have), a good place to bury it is under a metal fence post embedded in a deep concrete plug that is exposed to public view. A metal detector won't be of much help there. (Put it in a iron/steel box, large pipe or mix ferrous nails with the bars or coins in a plastic bag or box.) The word cache is deliberately being used here to imply something that is not accessed often.

Makes me think of the Sopranos:
Uncle Junior digging up his backyard, unsure of where he buried his loot, Janice searching throughout Olivia's house for whatever loot her father may have hidden there, and Carmela sneaking a cut from Tony's stash in the locked duck seed bin.

[Barbara1955]

Makes no since they would Brick a Kindle just cause its not linked to an account for 30 days! I have my K3 for sale Not linked to any account & I not linking it back to mine. Hope you folks are wrong.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by Katie1

Makes no since they would Brick a Kindle just cause its not linked to an account for 30 days! I have my K3 for sale Not linked to any account & I not linking it back to mine. Hope you folks are wrong.

Then I suppose it is a good thing nobody has suggested that is the case.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Katie1

Makes no since they would Brick a Kindle just cause its not linked to an account for 30 days! I have my K3 for sale Not linked to any account & I not linking it back to mine. Hope you folks are wrong.

Nobody's said that Amazon "brick" a Kindle which isn't registered to an account. What makes you think that this is the case?

[Barbara1955]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Nobody's said that Amazon "brick" a Kindle which isn't registered to an account. What makes you think that this is the case?

Post #11 .... Also, I believe, but am not sure, if Amazon doesn't see the device connecting within 30 days, it stops trying.

Stops trying = Bricked