Maria’s Story: A Desperate Need For a Safe Phone

Maria was 22 when she met Jake online. He was charming, attentive, and seemed to understand her struggles. She had recently aged out of the foster care system, had no close family, and was struggling to pay rent while working a minimum-wage job. Jake, who posed as a successful businessman, offered her a way out—promising her love, security, and an exciting new life in another city.

At first, everything seemed perfect. Jake showered her with gifts, took her on trips, and promised to help her find work. But soon, things changed. Once they moved in together, Jake started controlling every aspect of her life. He took her phone “for security reasons,” saying he would handle everything for her. When she insisted on keeping her own phone, he made sure he had access to every account in order to track her every move.

Soon, Maria found herself trapped. Jake took her identification and money, forcing her into sex work under threats of violence. He monitored her every move—checking her call logs, tracking her location, and even reading her messages through spyware installed on her phone. If she tried to contact anyone for help, he would know immediately.

Maria was isolated, with no way to call for help without alerting Jake. But then, an opportunity arose. While reading an article in a magazine, she found out about an advocacy program that helped girls get out of situations like she was in. She memorized the contact information and during a brief moment alone, she called for help. She was given instructions on how to stay safe and how to move forward, all while knowing that if she stayed on the phone too long, she could be caught.

Advocates arranged a safe place for her to stay and, leaving her phone behind to avoid tracking, Maria escaped.  By the time Jake returned, Maria was already on her way to freedom and law enforcement was able to retrieve her phone as evidence, ensuring Jake faced justice.

At a safe house, Maria received a secure phone from the advocacy program. The phone had no ties to her trafficker, no tracking software, no way for him to know she was using it.  It became her lifeline, allowing her to rebuild her life without fear. Without it, she could have been found and forced back into the nightmare she had escaped.

Maria’s story is one of success, but it’s important to recognize that not all victims are so fortunate. Without a secure, untraceable phone, Maria could have easily been found, beaten, and forced back into the same nightmare of exploitation. The device given to her by the advocacy program was not just a tool; it was a lifeline—one that saved her life and gave her the chance to rebuild.

For survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence, a phone that is disconnected from their abuser is not just a communication tool—it’s the difference between life and death. It’s the means by which they can escape, seek help, and regain control over their own lives. This is why the 911 Cell Phone Bank was created.

The 911 Cell Phone Bank, an initiative of the Charitable Recycling Foundation, partners with Lost-and-Found Departments, Property Rooms, and Advocacy Programs across the nation to provide free phones and service to victims and survivors of Human Trafficking and Domestic Abuse. 

Receiving a donated phone from a program like 911 Cell Phone Bank can be the difference between remaining trapped and finding freedom. Without a phone connected to their abuser, survivors can contact hotlines, advocacy groups, and law enforcement without fear of retaliation or being tracked. They can also attend court appearances, schedule appointments, attend counselling sessions, hunt for housing, and find employment.

How Traffickers Control Devices & Communication:

1. Confiscation & Isolation: Traffickers often take victims’ phones or claim they will “hold onto them for safekeeping.”
2. Spyware & Tracking Apps: They install spyware to read messages, listen to calls, and track location.
3. Control of Social Media & Contacts: Victims are forced to block loved ones or only communicate under supervision.
4. Financial Dependence: They control bank accounts, limiting access to money that could be used to get a new phone.

How Lost & Found Departments and Property Rooms Become Heroes

Imagine a guest at a casino wins big and excitedly rushes to the window to collect their winnings. In the excitement, their phone is left behind—a minor inconvenience, easily dismissed. After all, they have enough money to replace it now.

But what happens next? 

That once-innocent phone ends up in the casino’s lost and found department. It sits there, waiting for someone to claim it. Weeks pass. No one comes for it. In an act of generosity, an employee decides to give the phone to their cousin—a gesture of goodwill that quickly turns into a nightmare.

The cousin finds sensitive personal and financial information on the device, as well as corporate information. Tempted by this data, they use it for personal gain but, realizing the phone can be traced, they discard it. Cell phones contain hazardous materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can seep into the soil and harm wildlife when improperly disposed of. The phone now poses a threat to the theme park, potentially leading to liability issues.

This scenario can happen to any lost-and-found department, in any industry. But there’s a better way—a way that protects the organization, the environment, and even saves lives.

Instead of putting their business in a compromising situation like the one mentioned, the casino could have donated their unclaimed devices to 911 Cell Phone Bank. The phone would have been properly erased, eliminating liability, then reintroduced into the program for potential use by law enforcement, advocacy programs, or a shelter.

This could become the scenario: A mother of two fleeing an abusive relationship receives a refurbished phone from the shelter where she seeks refuge. The phone helps her seek safety, attend court hearings, and schedule services. Additionally, a laptop donated to the program helps her children continue their education while staying in a shelter. The casino’s contributions helped create a brighter future for a mother and her children—providing hope, education, and freedom.

The casino goes from potential liability to becoming an unexpected hero. Not only does it receive a tax break, but the phone didn’t harm the environment—it helped save lives.

Why the 911 Cell Phone Bank is the Best Solution

In the U.S., 70 million phones are lost or stolen each year, but only 7% are ever recovered by their owners. A staggering 46% of managers say they would donate unclaimed devices to charity, yet 37% of them admit to having no formal disposal plan. 

For over 20 years, the 911 Cell Phone Bank has provided secure and impactful solutions for unclaimed electronic devices that make it easier for agencies to adhere to proper disposal. By doing so, these agencies are contributing to the fight against human trafficking and domestic violence, while also addressing the issue of e-waste.

With the enactment of Florida Statute 705.185, hotels, theme parks, and entertainment venues in Florida are now required to manage unclaimed property in a structured manner. This law provides clear guidelines for tracking, holding, and ultimately donating unclaimed items to a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Other states and industries are considering similar structuring. It behooves organizations to get ahead of the game by aligning their practices with a program that meets the established standards, like the 911 Cell Phone Bank.

Key Provisions under the Statute 705.185 include:

• Holding Period and Documentation: Businesses must hold unclaimed items for at least 30 days, maintaining a record of found items before disposing of them.
• Mandatory Disposal or Donation: Selling unclaimed items is prohibited. Instead, venues must dispose of them properly or donate them to a registered nonprofit.
• Electronic Device Data Security: If an electronic device is donated, the recipient organization must ensure that all personal data is securely wiped before redistribution.

Taking the Lead in Social and Environmental Responsibility

The 911 Cell Phone Bank, an initiative of the Charitable Recycling Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization takes the initiative to a whole new level. We care about protection of privacy, the environment, the organizations we assist, and the causes we support.

Every year, Americans generate an estimated 57 million tons of e-waste. This is equivalent to throwing out 1,000 laptops every single second. This increases by two metric tons each year. Today, only about 20% of all e-waste produced is officially recycled. Americans throw out approximately 416,000 cell phones each day: this totals more than 151 million phones in a year. E-waste is the most rapidly growing waste problem in the world. 

E-waste damages the environment by releasing greenhouse gases, harming wildlife and their habitats, and negatively affecting human health. Improperly disposing of e-waste in landfills allows heavy metals and flame retardants to seep directly into the soil. Once in the soil, heavy metals can leak into the groundwater, causing more damage through acidification and toxification.

Dismantling, shredding, or melting e-waste materials releases dust particles into the air that cause increased pollution and respiratory damage. Greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere from electronic devices increased by 53% between 2014 and 2020. That includes 580 metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2020 alone. It is estimated that about 852 million metric tons of CO2 compounds will be emitted annually from e-waste sources by 2030.

The 911 Cell Phone Bank takes action. The donated cell phones and other electronic devices collected are properly recycled causing them to support their mission to provide no-cost emergency devices with service to victims of human trafficking and domestic violence.

How the 911 Cell Phone Bank handles donated devices:

• Regulatory Compliance: The 911 Cell Phone Bank provides thorough documentation and record-keeping services, ensuring that organizations adhere to guidelines and statutes.
• Data Security: Experts perform secure data erasure on electronic devices, mitigating the risk of data breaches and privacy concerns.
• Community Impact: Donated phones and electronics support victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and at-risk individuals, giving them a vital means of communication and access to resources.
• Environmental Responsibility: By preventing e-waste from ending up in landfills, businesses demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
• Tax Benefits: Donations made to 911 Cell Phone Bank, a registered 501(c)(3) organization, may be eligible for tax deductions.

To ensure compliance with established guidelines and make a lasting impact in the community, visit www.911cellphonebank.org or call 866-290-7864 to make a personal donation or register your business. Together, we can turn lost devices into lifelines, creating a safer and more sustainable world.