*The information in this blog is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. Please seek a professional for expert advice as we can not be held responsible for any damages or negative consequences upon following this information.

The UK’s National Mobile Phone Crime Unit has reported that as nearly as 250,000 to 300,000 mobile phones are stolen all over the country annually. Mobile phone theft is on the rise and since a mobile phone has become a part of your daily life, losing one can be disappointing and frustrating. A stolen phone might be used to make fraudulent calls on your behalf or gain access to your personal details. Perhaps, it might be sold in the market to another person who has no idea that the phone is stolen.

There are certain ways you can adopt to avoid being a victim to mobile phone theft; it requires more common sense actually.

·      Hide it from Plain Sight

You might feel the urge to wave or show off your new iPhone 7 or Galaxy S7, but do so at your own peril. As previously mentioned, the first and foremost way to prevent your phone from being stolen is common sense and in such situations, it’s better to get a hold of it. Keep your phone in sight at all times and don’t carry it in your hand for no apparent reason.

If you are carrying a handbag or a satchel, put it in the zipped compartment. Ideally, your bag should be within your reach. If you want to keep it in your pocket, that’s fine, but remember to place it in the front pocket. Furthermore, hold your phone with both hands especially when you are texting or emailing; holding it in one hand makes it easier to be snatched.

You need to be extra careful in specific trouble spots; for example, if you are living in London, the area just outside the London Tube station is a hotspot for phone thieves. Essentially, note down your phone’s information like the IMEI number, your own number, make, model, colour, and your PIN code. This will make it much easier for your phone to be found if it is stolen.

·      Apply a PIN Code

All phones come with the ability to be locked, so it’s better to go in your phone settings and apply a PIN code. Whether it is an alphanumeric password or a 3-digit number, if your phone does get stolen, the thief will be unable to access your private and personal data.

·      Install a Tracker Application

As soon as you purchase a new phone, install a tracking app. Some phones like the iPhone and Android phones have this feature built-in; it allows you to track your phone remotely and with the help of local law enforcement, you can recover it easily.

·      Block International Calls

Thieves can use your phone to conduct fraud and all of those black market operations will be traced back to you. To avoid this, go into your phone settings and disable calls to international and premium rate numbers.

·      Get Your Phone Registered with the Network Carrier

*The information in this blog is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. Please seek a professional for expert advice as we can not be held responsible for any damages or negative consequences upon following this information.