Phone theft is booming all over the world - particularly in big cities like London. Here are some tips to keep your phone safe from regular overseas traveller Mick Symons.
Mr Symons has an extensive background in investigations, having served as a detective in the South Australia Police, finishing his police career as a chief superintendent. He is now the managing director of Anti-Corruption Consultants Australia.
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1. Do not use your phone as you walk along, as you are exposing it to thieves. If you need it for directions, use buds to listen to audio. Do not have it out as you focus solely on the map.
2. Do not use it while sitting at an outside table at a restaurant or café. Likewise, do not leave it on the table once you have finished using it.
3. Do not have it in your backpack with headphones attached, as it shows the thief where to slash your bag. Walk as close to the buildings as possible to avoid the ride-by thieves (big problem in London).
4. Most important- BE AWARE of your surroundings at all time. Do not continually focus on your phone.
5. Worst-case scenario. Back up your phone to the cloud regularly so you can recover data. Have a find my phone link (Apple) and know how to disable the phone if necessary.
2. Do not use it while sitting at an outside table at a restaurant or café. Likewise, do not leave it on the table once you have finished using it.
3. Do not have it in your backpack with headphones attached, as it shows the thief where to slash your bag. Walk as close to the buildings as possible to avoid the ride-by thieves (big problem in London).
4. Most important- BE AWARE of your surroundings at all time. Do not continually focus on your phone.
5. Worst-case scenario. Back up your phone to the cloud regularly so you can recover data. Have a find my phone link (Apple) and know how to disable the phone if necessary.
According to UK-based CrimeStoppers, residents, workers and visitors are increasingly victims of mobile phone snatching. Incidents of this type have increased by 151% in the last year.
Criminals often use bikes and mopeds to snatch mobile phones, and often victims are approached from behind while talking or texting on phones. 54% of phone snatches involve thieves using pedal bikes.
The criminals may mount the pavement to grab the phone or snatch it from the road. Sometimes when a moped is used, a pillion passenger will snatch it. They target busy streets, transport hubs and licenced premises.
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