Police Fraud Advice

MOBILE PHONE THEFT

Criminals used to steal mobile phones for the value of selling the handsets on to anyone who was willing to pay. However nowadays they are much more likely to be stolen for the value of the contents, and the access they can get to your personal and financial information, and so we see a rise in mobile phone thefts.

 

For example, many users have their Banking Apps or banking card details in a “Wallet” on the phone, and if they are not securely protected then the criminal has a rich source of information to use and can empty your bank account very quickly. Also remember never to keep any physical bank cards with your mobile phone.

 

Criminals often work in groups with one person distracting the victim, whilst another person tries to observe the passcode being entered and a third person may then actually steal the phone. The criminals often take advantage of the victims late at night, when venues are closing, and the victims may not be so alert to their surroundings.

 

So how can you protect yourself?

 

• Never leave your phone. iPad or Tablet unattended, out of your sight or visible on a table in a public place
• Make sure your phone is not visibly protruding from your pocket where the opportunist can grab it.
• Never handover your phone to anyone you do not know, who may ask to “borrow” your phone to call a taxi for example.
• Be aware of your surroundings and only use your phone if it is safe to do so; in public places try and keep your back to a wall when using the phone, so no one can come behind you and grab the phone.
• Watch out for anyone behind you on public transport “shoulder surfing” to discover your PIN. Use of stronger passwords make it more difficult to “shoulder surf”.
• On busy city streets watch out for anyone on bikes or mopeds following you
• When you have finished using it, make sure you put it away, out of sight.
• Never store Passwords on your phone

 

Further steps to take in case your phone is stolen.

 

• Secure your phone by making best use of its security features with a strong PIN, Passcode or Password which can stop anyone using it if stolen.
• Get your IMEI number which is unique to your phone and can help to locate it if lost or stolen – dial *#06# on your keypad then keep a note of it in a secure place.
• Use a Tracking app – you can set this up on your phone so you can then see where it is quickly from your laptop or other device.
• Turn off message previews so thieves will not be able see any messages with reset or login codes when your phone is locked.
• Contact your bank as soon as possible to prevent any transactions being made from your stolen phone