Self-Defense for Devices – Prevent cell phone theft!

Prevent cell phone theft! Hold on to your mobile device. While I personally think many people are too obsessed with their cell phone, they can also be very useful and help you stay safe. Also, they cost a lot, so I don’t want people losing them or getting them stolen. Not to mention identity theft issues with the amount of information stored on many of these devices these days. And believe me, cell phone theft is big!  Coffee shops and the number one place where people lose their phones. It’s hard to remember everything when you are on the go, and the heavy foot traffic of these locations make theft a large threat. A few other top places people lose their phones include: Bars, Offices, Restaurants, Grocery Stores and Gas Stations.

Don’t leave your phone, even for a second, when you go to pick up your drink, run to the restroom real quick, or just hop over to grab that newspaper someone left behind. Leaving you phone for just a moment could result in you saying “good bye” to your mobile device and “hello” to the headaches of being without it and having it replaced. It is so easy for a stranger to swoop and scoop, and then disappear with not only your device, but all the information it contains.

Just holding onto your phone is not enough any more. Thieves have targeted devices and have stolen them from people as they use them. Another reason why the awareness I preach is so important. People become lost in their conversations and all of a sudden their phone is yanked right from their hand as they talk.  (There have also been numerous reports of criminals walking up and grabbing a lap top and running away. What would you be losing if that happened?)

Why is this happening so much?  I’ll say it again, people are not paying attention and creates the opportunity for criminals to get close enough to quickly grab the device and run away, often to a getaway car parked nearby. Thieves are very fast and often work in pairs or groups so they can get away even more quickly.

A few things you can do to protect yourself from theft.

1. First, you can skip bringing your laptop or tablet to a coffee shop.  Can’t steal something from you that you don’t have with you.  But I know that’s not going to happen with many people, so if you must use them, make sure you are aware of who is around you and where you are sitting.

2. Like I said above, and it is worth repeating, never leave your device on the table at a public place, no matter how quickly you will return. A criminal can grab your phone, tablet, or laptop and run out much quicker.

3. When you are in public, keep your mobile device out of sight. Keep in in a purse or pocket rather than setting it on the table next to you.

4. Don’t get lost in your earphones and neglect what is going on around you. This one is tough, because you want to listen to your music or watch videos and you can only do it with earphones in certain public places. But do you really need to do it there? Listening to earphones, especially loud music as many do, at a public place or walking around town makes you more vulnerable when you can’t hear what is going on around you.

5. Write down the serial numbers of your electronic devices and keep the information in a safe place. (Not on a list only stored in your device.) If your device is stolen you should report it and the number immediately. Having the serial numbers can help identify stolen items recovered by police. However, many of these devices are never seen again by their owners, so don’t expect the police to easily apprehend the thief and return your device.

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Take care and keep yourself and your belonging safe!