Mobile phones are a huge part of everyday life, and have become a fashion statement as well as one of life's essentials. It's not uncommon for a phone to be worth upwards of £500. This has attracted opportunistic thieves to target mobile phones and an easy steal. Agent Naish offers some tips to help keep you safe.
BBC news recently reported Met Police figures showing that around 10,000 mobile phones are stolen in London alone every month - a 12% rise on previous figures. Many of these crimes are quick snatches from people's hands, sometimes with the thieves on bikes or some other form of transport for a quick getaway. Furthermore, the Met said that young professionals aged between 20 and 30 are the biggest targets for mobile phone crime, most commonly when out socialising or using public transport.
So, what can you do to help protect yourself?
Keep it secret, Keep it safe
In many instances, thieves will snatch phones from people's hands while they're talking on it. If you need to make a phone call, it may be best to firstly make sure you are somewhere safe - such as a cafe or restaurant - before getting your phone out.
If you are a heavy phone user, it could be worth investing in a hands-free kit. Apple iPhone headphones contain a microphone in the volume switch, so these can be used without having your phone in your hands. Remember, if your phone is in your pocket, it's harder to run off with!
If your phone is in your bag it's safer still, but make sure you keep an eye on it: if your phone flashes in the top of your bag, someone may notice and try to steal it. Wherever possible, put your phone in a pocket within your bag, making it harder still for potential thieves to get hold of it.
Don't check every buzz
If you have your phone set to notify you of every SMS and every email, your phone may be going off every couple of minutes. When you're out and about it may be worthwhile ignoring your notifications for a short while, and checking them when you're somewhere safe such as a café or restaurant. Be wary about checking your phone too often on public transport too; always keep an eye out for who's around you first.
A clever disguise
If you're someone who needs to check your phone often to stay on top of what's going on, why not think about getting a cover that conceals what phone you have? If a potential thief can't figure out if you have a Samsung Galaxy S4 or Samsung Galaxy Ace, they may be less willing to take the risk. There's a huge range of phone cases available that could help you keep your handset looking inconspicuous.
One trick played on some phone theft victims involves someone asking them for the time, in which case many people will automatically check their phone. If a stranger asks you anything which involves you taking your phone out, just take a second to consider your surroundings and if it is safe to do so.
Remember to lock and back up
Of course, whatever precautions we take, we can still get caught out. But in the unfortunate event that your smartphone is stolen, there are some steps you could take to stop the situaton getting any worse.
Make sure you keep your data safe by adding a password to your phone, otherwise you may be giving away access to your emails and personal data on top of losing your phone if it's stolen.
remote tracking/blocking
Most phones also have a way of tracking your device. If you're quick enough you may be able to get to your computer and find where the phone has got to before it's turned off or wiped. If you're worried about losing data, most of these apps can also remotely wipe the phone, so you know your payment information and/or email accounts won't fall into the wrong hands.
iOS users should have iCloud activated and turn on 'Find My iPhone'. Android users can use the 'Android Device Manager' added to their phone with their Google account, and Windows Phone users can use 'Find my Phone' if they have a Microsoft Account on their device.
insure your phone
For total peace of mind that you'll be covered if your phone is stolen, why not take out a suitable insurance policy? After all, if your smartphone does end up in the hands of thieves, have you thought about how you'd cover the cost of replacing your handset? It's unlikely that many of us will have upwards of £500 spare to buy a brand new smartphone. But taking out an insurance policy that covers you for theft could put your mind at rest that you won't be left out of pocket should your phone be stolen.
If you're thinking of buying a phone from Carphone Warehouse, why not take a look at our own mobile insurance policy, which will cover you for theft and starts from just £3.99 a month.
We hope a few of these tips - along with some common sense and quick thinking - will help to keep you and your smartphone safe. For more information on how to protect yourself from phone crime, you can visit the National Mobile Phone Crime Unit.