| Your mobile is likely to be a sophisticated piece of | | | | Other Advice |
| equipment which is increasingly more like a computer. It | | | | As well as you personal safety, there are a few other |
| is also likely to be worth a lot of money. In most cases | | | | things you can do which may help you get your phone |
| mobiles are obtained on a contract from 12 to 24 | | | | back if it were stolen. At the very least these |
| months and are usually provided at no additional cost. | | | | measures will make it harder for someone who gets |
| You may not realise quite how much your phone does | | | | your phone from using it. It could also protect personal |
| cost until you lose it or it's stolen and you want to | | | | data held on your phone and it will help reduce mobile |
| replace it with a similar model. | | | | phone crime overall. |
| So mobiles are worth a lot of money. This makes | | | | Use the pin number on your phone to lock it. This will |
| them attractive to potential thieves who will use credit | | | | ensure that someone who takes your phone can't |
| on your phone to make calls -- perhaps to premium | | | | easily use your sim and get access to the personal |
| rate lines or pay for goods. They may decide to sell it | | | | data held on it or run up huge bills which you will be |
| on at a far cheaper price than its worth. They don't | | | | liable for. |
| care because they didn't pay for it in the first place. | | | | Type in the code *#06#. This is the IMEI number and is |
| The important thing to understand is that mobiles are | | | | a unique serial number which can't be changed. Keep a |
| attractive to criminals because they see it as easy | | | | record of the number and report it to your phone |
| pickings. This is particularly the case for children and | | | | company or the police if it's stolen. |
| statistically children are far more likely to suffer from | | | | * If your phone gets stolen, report it to the police and |
| mobile phone crime than adults are. Children are also | | | | your phone company as quickly as possible. Your |
| more likely to suffer acts of violence or verbal threats | | | | phone company will block the phone for any network. |
| during a robbery. | | | | * Register your IMEI number with the Mobile Equipment |
| How Can I Reduce The Risk of Being Targeted? | | | | National Database or MEND. This can be easily done |
| You need to reduce the likelihood that a criminal will | | | | online by visiting It's a free service and you can also |
| target you specifically. A thief will always go for the | | | | use it to register other valuables which you own. If the |
| easy option. If you make yourself less attractive to the | | | | police recover your phone they can trace it back to |
| thief by following these steps then it's far more likely | | | | you using the IMEI database. |
| they will leave you alone and look elsewhere. | | | | * can be used to check if a particular phone has been |
| Mobile phone crime tends to happen at night, in the | | | | lost or stolen. This serves as a good check if you |
| dark and in city centres. Often robberies occur whilst a | | | | acquire a used phone to make sure it's legitimate. |
| person is using their phone or texting. | | | | Although personal attacks are rare, mobile phone theft |
| Personal Safety | | | | is on the increase and if you value your phone then |
| Be vigilant. Know what's going on around you. Try not | | | | you should heed the advice. You don't have to change |
| to use your phone if you can help it in higher risk areas. | | | | your lifestyle to take these on board; it's just a case of |
| If you do use it, make the calls short and don't get into | | | | being sensible and aware of what's going on around |
| a long conversation which could make you less aware | | | | you. |
| of what's going on around you. It will also draw | | | | At the end of the day there may be little you can do |
| attention to an attacker that you have a mobile. | | | | to stop a determined thief. If someone wants |
| Keep your phone hidden don't make it visible by | | | | something bad enough, for what ever reason, they |
| keeping on a belt. Don't draw attention to yourself by | | | | may do anything to get it from you. You can use all |
| showing it off. Switch the phone into vibrate mode so it | | | | the precautions you want but someone who is |
| doesn't draw attention when it goes off. | | | | determined enough will get what they want and you |
| Try and keep to well lit areas where there are other | | | | would be unwise to tackle them particularly if there is a |
| people around but also be wary in crowds where the | | | | gang. Your personal well being is far more important |
| phone could be snatched from you. | | | | than a wallet or a mobile. If it means you being unhurt |
| * Travel with a friend at night if possible. | | | | then its far better to let the thief have what they want. |
| * Don't leave your phone unattended -- in a car for | | | | There's no disgrace in taking this approach. It takes a |
| example. | | | | brave person to do this because one's natural reaction |
| * When you are travelling at night or in a higher risk | | | | is to prevent someone taking what belongs to you. |
| area, don't use your personal stereo/iPod as this will | | | | What Else Can I do? |
| reduce your awareness of who is around you. | | | | So what happens if your phone were stolen what else |
| * Look like you know where you're going. Look | | | | could you do? There is something you can do and it |
| confident and stand tall. A robber is looking for | | | | will give you peace of mind about the cost of replacing |
| weakness in their victim and this will deter them. | | | | it. By insuring your phone you can avoid the worry of |
| * Treat your phone as if it were cash. If you have a lot | | | | having to spend a lot of money to replace your old |
| of money on you the last thing you want to do is to | | | | phone should it be stolen. The insurance has a cheap |
| wave it around and draw attention to yourself. | | | | monthly premium and will cover you for other risks like |
| If you are the victim of a robbery then consider just | | | | accidental damage or loss. It also comes with a |
| letting your assailant have what they want. You are | | | | reward of a no claims bonus in the form of a |
| perfectly within your rights to defend yourself with | | | | replacement battery after twelve months with no |
| whatever objects you normally carry with you (like car | | | | claim. The policy does not force you to take out a 12 |
| keys or a brush) but remember your attacker may | | | | month contract ' you can terminate it at any time by |
| take them and use against you. It is illegal to carry a | | | | giving one months notice. Cover also includes water |
| weapon even if you use it to defend yourself. At the | | | | damage which means you're covered even if you |
| end of the day you have to ask yourself if it's worth | | | | accidentally left your phone in the washing machine or |
| trying to prevent a thief from taking your phone. It's | | | | it was dropped in a drink for instance. You're also |
| your decision, but it could mean the difference | | | | covered abroad and when other family members use |
| between being seriously hurt and not being harmed. | | | | the phone. You pay by direct debit on a monthly basis |
| You may want to think beforehand how you would | | | | but cover can be arranged immediately by making an |
| react because if it did happen you might not have the | | | | initial payment by card. |
| time to think. | | | | |