iStolen: What to do when your mobile is stolen
'Apple Picking' is on the rise across the US, and it unfortunately has nothing to do with a honeycrisp or pink lady. ‘Apple Picking’ refers to stolen Apple products. Check out the SpotCrime crime list we created a couple of months ago by searching the words ‘iphone’ or 'ipad' on SpotCrime.
An ABC article states that the FCC attributes 30-40 percent of robberies in major cities to cell phones.
In NYC, Mayor Bloomberg blames the increase in the city’s crime rate on iPhone thefts.
Fortunately, for you cheap-non-technological Android users (ha-ha), you don’t seem to be having this problem. You can continue to check out crime in your area via SpotCrime.info in your mobile browser or the SpotCrime layer on Layar.
So, what to do if you find yourself unable to feed your need to tweet a picture of your best duckface in the bathroom or lacking the means to update your newsfeed informing you friend list of 2,300+ that you just checked in at happy hour...by yourself? (Head here for some tips on what not to share on social media)
First, I should say that you should take proper precautions to not become a victim of crime. Stay aware of your surroundings. Don't display your expensive mobile devices. And you should also make sure that your device is set up with iCloud or an app like Lookout (this app is available for Android - for free...cheapo's).
But, if you just so happen to find yourself at the wrong metro stop and are referring to your SpotCrime app to see if you should run for cover from criminals or just hop on the next available train, only to you find your Apple device plucked from your pocket, here are some suggestions on what to do to try to get your device back.
1. Let the local Police Department know. They’ll help you file a report. Your incident might be connected with other incidents around the same area and could help solve a series of crimes!
2. Delete personal information (remotely). You can do this via iCloud. Just head to iCloud.com on your computer, login with your Apple ID, and delete away.
3. While you’re logged into iCloud, you might want to take a look at the 'Find My iPhone' option. This will pinpoint your device if it’s on. If it's off, you can select the option to be emailed when the device is turned back on. Take note of the location. It’s something you’ll want to eventually share with the police.
4. Call your service provider and cancel your cell phone service. Sometimes this is easier with a police report (See step 1). This will ensure that the thief won’t run up your phone bill.
5. Change your passwords to your email, facebook, banking apps, iTunes, etc - anything that you could access from your device. This will help prevent possible identity theft.
6. NEVER try to recover the device yourself. The person who stole from you most likely won’t hesitate to hurt you during a confrontation. Let the police take care of that.
7. Be happy. It was just a phone. You weren’t injured or harmed (hopefully). Phones can be replaced. You can not.
Stay aware and stay safe! Make sure to sign up for your local crime alerts at SpotCrime to stay up to date on crime in your area.
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| View the full SpotCrime crime list here |
An ABC article states that the FCC attributes 30-40 percent of robberies in major cities to cell phones.
In NYC, Mayor Bloomberg blames the increase in the city’s crime rate on iPhone thefts.
Fortunately, for you cheap-non-technological Android users (ha-ha), you don’t seem to be having this problem. You can continue to check out crime in your area via SpotCrime.info in your mobile browser or the SpotCrime layer on Layar.
So, what to do if you find yourself unable to feed your need to tweet a picture of your best duckface in the bathroom or lacking the means to update your newsfeed informing you friend list of 2,300+ that you just checked in at happy hour...by yourself? (Head here for some tips on what not to share on social media)
First, I should say that you should take proper precautions to not become a victim of crime. Stay aware of your surroundings. Don't display your expensive mobile devices. And you should also make sure that your device is set up with iCloud or an app like Lookout (this app is available for Android - for free...cheapo's).
But, if you just so happen to find yourself at the wrong metro stop and are referring to your SpotCrime app to see if you should run for cover from criminals or just hop on the next available train, only to you find your Apple device plucked from your pocket, here are some suggestions on what to do to try to get your device back.
1. Let the local Police Department know. They’ll help you file a report. Your incident might be connected with other incidents around the same area and could help solve a series of crimes!
2. Delete personal information (remotely). You can do this via iCloud. Just head to iCloud.com on your computer, login with your Apple ID, and delete away.
3. While you’re logged into iCloud, you might want to take a look at the 'Find My iPhone' option. This will pinpoint your device if it’s on. If it's off, you can select the option to be emailed when the device is turned back on. Take note of the location. It’s something you’ll want to eventually share with the police.
4. Call your service provider and cancel your cell phone service. Sometimes this is easier with a police report (See step 1). This will ensure that the thief won’t run up your phone bill.
5. Change your passwords to your email, facebook, banking apps, iTunes, etc - anything that you could access from your device. This will help prevent possible identity theft.
6. NEVER try to recover the device yourself. The person who stole from you most likely won’t hesitate to hurt you during a confrontation. Let the police take care of that.
7. Be happy. It was just a phone. You weren’t injured or harmed (hopefully). Phones can be replaced. You can not.
Stay aware and stay safe! Make sure to sign up for your local crime alerts at SpotCrime to stay up to date on crime in your area.
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