Investigators with the Irving Police Department have noticed a continued increase in cell phone thefts throughout the city.
361 phones have been stolen this year (a 20% increase from 2012’s offenses). Irving is not the only city experiencing the continued increase in these thefts. Police departments nationwide are experiencing the same trend and are looking for ways to slow these thefts. While some of the thefts occur when the phones are left unattended, a large number are occurring when the thieves ask to borrow the victim’s cell phone and immediately run away once the unsuspecting victim hands the cell phone to them. The suspect will tell the victim that they are lost, locked out of their home or their cell phone is no longer working, in an attempt to gain sympathy. If the victim seems reluctant, the suspect will tell the victim to dial the number for them and give them the phone once it starts ringing.
Remember, your cell phone is a very expensive investment. The amount of personal information that is stored on it only adds to its importance. Treat your phone like you would a wallet or purse. Keep it with you at all times, don’t advertise that you have one or where it is on your person and don’t allow anyone that you don’t know or trust to use your phone. Write down your cell phone serial number and IMEI number and keep them in a separate location. Also, back-up any personal information you have stored on your phone. Contact your provider and see what services they provide in the event your phone is stolen. Some carriers have the ability to totally disable the phone so that it cannot be used.
