Losing your phone is
awful, but if you're working with your carrier and law enforcement to
recover it, they may need your IMEI number.
Once
you realize your device is gone, you'll probably think about what sort
of personal information is accessible via the device, what photos you
had saved on it, and the cost of replacing it. If you've already
attempted to recover the device with the Android Device Manager (or your friend's Android), then it's time to contact the police and your wireless provider to report the situation.
Your
carrier may require a police report to prove that the device is
actually missing. In addition to the make, model and visual appearance,
the police and your carrier may request the International Mobile Station
Equipment Identity (IMEI) to help identify the device. This is number
is unique to your hardware, and may allow the carrier to discontinue
service to it, or blacklist it from their network if it was stolen.
As a recent post on the Digital Inspiration blog points out, you can still find your IMEI without the phone in your hand. Here's how:
Start by logging into your Google Dashboard by heading to http://www.google.com/settings.
After you're signed in, click the arrow next to Android. You will see all devices that have been attached to your Google account. Find your current phone and copy the IMEI number.
Hopefully the combined effort of the police and your wireless carrier will help you retrieve your device.
Source: http://www.cnet.com
