Protecting yourself from Phone Snatching Criminals

Mobile phones have become the primary device for accessing sensitive data and selling valuable parts, making them a lucrative target for phone theft. As a result, this has led to a rise in phone snatching. Phone snatching is when your smartphone or mobile device is stolen from you in a public space. Since phones carry access to our emails, bank cards, and authentication apps, it’s important to put extra measures like anti-phone theft software to keep your device and data safe.

What is phone snatching?

Whether the intention is to target a specific person for their phone and data or to steal phones to resell them, phone snatching happens in a few forms:

• Pickpocketing is when a perpetrator takes your phone discreetly from your bag or pocket without your knowledge.
• Mugging is when someone threatens you with physical harm and demands your belongings.
• Scooter or bike phone theft is when thieves snatch phones from pedestrians and ride away.

Phone snatching is rapidly growing due to the demand for secondhand devices. It’s also very easy for a thief to grab an expensive smartphone ’s hand and quickly sell it either as a whole or in parts to earn money.

In March 2024, it was reported in the UK that phones stolen on the street were up by over 150% compared to the previous year.

Protecting yourself means being proactive with precautionary measures like installing mobile theft protection software and staying hyper-aware of your surroundings and your possessions in public.

How to prevent phone theft?

Smartphones are commonly a person’s primary device, meaning they’re used to store or access valuable or sensitive data. Having access to your bank cards, emails and other platforms makes your digital life easier but also poses more risk in the event of smartphone theft, such as banking fraud.

Preventing your phone from snatching or pickpocketing is not a guarantee that it won’t happen to you. No matter where you are in the world, if you’re carrying valuables, you always run the risk of anything being stolen, especially mobile phones.

There are several behaviors that you can adopt that can better prevent your phone or belongings from being stolen.

Be hyper vigilant in public spaces

Situational awareness means constantly taking in your surroundings and recognizing what could be a potential threat. From navigating a new train station or your regular route, it’s vital to always know what’s happening around you.

Pickpockets can either snatch your phone and run away or use a distraction, such as a stranger offering help, to mislead you. Large crowds or confined spaces provide excellent cover for pickpockets to operate. Hold your belongings as close to your body as possible in crowded spaces to prevent theft.

• If you’re using headphones while out as a pedestrian, ensure that you can still hear what is going on around you.
• Don’t text while walking, as it distracts you from your surroundings. If you need to text, put your back against a wall and look up regularly.
• If you need to take a call, use a hands-free receiver so that you can leave your phone inside your bag.

Secure your belongings when you’re out

Walking, using public transport, or even sitting in a restaurant, if your phone is in your hand, it’s at risk of getting snatched. Here are a few key tips to keep in mind:

• Don’t put your phone or keys in your back pockets.
• Deter or prevent pickpocket opportunities by investing in a backpack with anti-theft zips. This makes it difficult for thieves to grip the zip and get into your bag without your knowledge.
• If you leave your device in your vehicle, ensure it is out of view in the glove compartment or trunk.
• Don’t store your bank cards or money in your phone case.

Proactive measures

Being proactive means that if you become the victim of smartphone theft, the loss shouldn’t be as big as it could be.

• Enable location tracking.
• Allow automatic backups.
• Set immediate auto-lock when not in use.
• Enable biometric protection, strong passcodes, and two-factor authentication.
• Don’t store passwords on your phone - invest in a password manager.
• Secure the phone to your body.
• Back up photos and documents to the cloud or other devices.
• Insure your portable devices.

Traveling

When exploring a new city or country, the unfamiliar territory can leave you vulnerable to phone snatchers. There are a few things you can do from the start to reduce your chances of being pickpocketed or left financially stranded:

• Keep some emergency cash or cards in your accommodation and have important numbers written down.
• Ensure to never carry all of your valuables at once while sightseeing and keep phones in anti-theft bags or inside jacket pockets.
• Know how to ask for emergency services, such as hospitals and the police, in the language.

When it comes to your smartphone while traveling, the same vigilance and proactive measures apply to your day-to-day routines:

• Enable biometrics or have strong password protection on your lock screen.
• Write down your phone's IMEI number in the event you need to report it stolen.
• Have anti-phone theft software installed and activated on your phone.

What to do if you’ve been pickpocketed?

As traumatic as it is to have your belongings stolen, they are still only possessions that can be replaced, but the sooner you act, the better the chances of your data remaining secure or your phone being recovered. If your phone has been stolen, and you don’t have anti-phone theft software, ensure to take quick action by:

1. Reporting the theft at the nearest police station.
2. Notifying your bank to cancel your cards and secure your accounts.
3. Changing the passwords on apps that were on your smartphone.
4. Notifying followers on your social media accounts of the phone theft to ensure that the perpetrators can’t impersonate you online.
5. Monitoring your bank statements or charges for illicit purchases or suspicious activity.

Anti-phone theft software

Software, such as Kaspersky Mobile Security , offers a built-in anti-theft feature for your phone that must be activated prior to any phone theft. When activated, it allows the owner remote access to:

• Locate your device from your My Kaspersky account.
• Snap a mugshot of the person who has your phone without their knowledge.
• Wipe the data from your phone. You can remotely perform a factory reset on your phone. While you may lose your data, they won’t be able to access anything.
• Trigger an alarm on your phone.
• Lock your phone, even if they add a new SIM card to the device.

The Anti-Theft feature also has uninstallation protection built into the software. This means that if the perpetrator tries to uninstall Kaspersky or change the system settings that impact the app, it automatically locks the phone.

Stay ahead of smartphone theft

While you can never be completely safe, being proactive about your safety measures is key. Anti-phone theft software, biometric phone locks, and staying vigilant of your physical surroundings help to prevent phone snatching and data loss

FAQs on Phone Theft

What do thieves do with stolen phones?

In most cases, phones are simply wiped and resold for money. In other scenarios, perpetrators use your stolen phone to access personal information, make unauthorized calls or payments, commit identity theft, or impersonate you on your apps.

What is an IMEI number?

The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number is a unique 15-digit serial number that identifies the device. This number is synched to the make and model of the phone and makes it easier to track down and secure if it gets stolen. When you report your phone stolen, ensure to give the IMEI number to the authorities.

Someone took my phone. Can I track it?

If you have activated anti-theft software, you can trace and remotely shut down your phone via your online account. Apple and Samsung models have a built-in tracking feature that must be activated beforehand, to help you locate your device. If your location is pinging in a different location, contact the authorities. Do not try to retrieve it yourself.

What should I do if my phone is recovered?

Even if your smartphone is in perfect condition, it’s recommended to restore it to factory settings as a precaution against malware.

How to protect yourself from pickpockets?

Invest in anti-theft backpacks or luggage, which have specialized zips and seals. Always place your bag in front of your body. If you prefer pockets, keep valuables in your front pockets. If at a restaurant, do not leave your phone on the table, keep it to yourself.

What happens if I’ve bought a stolen phone?

Before buying a phone, be sure to check the IMEI number of the device first on the Stolen Phone Checker site. If it is reported stolen, call the authorities and notify them of the seller. If you find out after you’ve bought the phone that the phone has been stolen, return the phone to the authorities and inform them of the seller’s details.