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Snatch theft -

Snatch theft is an opportunistic crime. Thieves take advantage of distracted or vulnerable individuals, making it relatively easy to steal purses or cell phones and get away quickly on a motorcycle or bike.

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Stealth theft -

Stealth theft, such as pickpocketing, happens when the victim isn't aware of the incident.

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The difference between robbery and theft -

Robbery involves stealing from a person by using force or threatening to use force, whereas theft does not involve any force.

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Snatch theft is on the rise -

According to reports, cell phone theft in Brazil has increased by 14% in five years. Thefts of cell phones surpassed robberies for the first time in 2023, with 492,905 thefts and 442,999 robberies. 

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Snatch theft is on the rise -

In the United Kingdom, there are more than 200 snatch theft incidents a day in England and Wales. Approximately 78,000 people had possessions stolen without force being used or threatened from April 2023 to March 2024.

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Victims of snatch theft -

Snatch theft can be a frightening and distressing experience, and victims are often left feeling shocked, confused, angry, sad, or embarrassed.

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A lucrative income stream -

Stealing cell phones can be a lucrative income stream for criminals. It requires less effort compared to other crimes, with a lower likelihood of getting caught and lower penalties if they do. Plus, with most people saving multiple cards in a digital wallet, criminals can quickly make high-value purchases.

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Locked phones -

Criminals often target unlocked cell phones to access personal financial information. However, even a locked phone can be sold for a profit.

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Spare parts -

Stolen handsets can be broken down for spare parts. Screens and camera lenses are especially valuable.

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Shoulder surfing -

Criminals may snatch an unlocked phone while it's in use, or "shoulder surf" in crowded places to observe victims entering their PINs. Some also covertly film victims or hack into CCTV systems to obtain PIN codes.

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Phishing attempts -

When criminals have your phone, they may send fraudulent messages, like fake alerts from services such as Find My, urging you to click on malicious links to steal sensitive information. They may even contact friends or family via social media or messaging apps asking for money.

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Be aware of your surroundings -

Snatch theft happens when victims are distracted, such as when they are checking their cell phones after emerging from a subway station. Consider heading to a store or café before checking your messages or directions.

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Use a smartwatch -

Use a smartwatch to make payments or receive notifications, and keep your cell phone safely zipped away in your bag.

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Set different PIN codes -

According to research, nearly half of people use the same PIN to gain access to their phone and multiple apps, making it even easier for the criminals. To enhance security, the PIN to access your cell phone should be different from any other PIN codes you use.

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Use strong password protection -

Create a password that is at least eight characters long and includes a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters, as this will be harder for criminals to crack.

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Unsuccessful password attempts -

After several unsuccessful attempts to enter the passcode, some cell phones will lock the device for a short period before allowing further tries. This gives you time to change your passwords before criminals can access your information.

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Erasure of personal data -

Some Android and Apple devices have a setting that automatically erases all personal data after about 10 unsuccessful login attempts. It's best to enable this feature in case your phone is stolen.

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Enable "Find My" features -

Most smartphones have a Find My feature that uses GPS and network connections to locate the device if it goes missing. This can be useful if the phone is discarded, or you can use the location information to file a police report.

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Back up your device -

Back up your device to ensure that you don’t lose important data or precious photos if your phone is stolen. Regular backups to cloud storage or an external device can help you quickly restore your information.

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Write down your cell phone's unique ID number -

Smartphones have a unique serial number known as an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) or MEID (Mobile Equipment Identifier). Provide this information while making a police report, and they may be able to return the device to you if it's recovered.

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Turn off message previews -

If you are trying to change your passwords, many banks and websites will send verification messages to your cell phone to check it's really you. If a criminal can read these, they'll find it easier to enter your apps.

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Set up a password manager -

If your phone is stolen, you'll want to log into every account you have on your phone and change your passwords. If you haven't already, set up a password manager to make the task easier.

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Lock and erase the phone -

If your phone is stolen, lock and erase it immediately. You can do this through the Find My feature.

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Have a record of your important contacts -

Write down the names and cell phone numbers of your important contacts so that if your phone does get stolen, you can alert them immediately. Hackers may attempt phishing or malware attacks on contacts stored on the phone.

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Call your service provider -

If your phone has been stolen, call your service provider immediately so they can disable the SIM card.

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Call your bank -

If you use mobile banking apps and your phone is stolen, alert your bank right away. More importantly, inform them if you notice any suspicious activity on your accounts.

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Set immediate auto-locks -

An auto-lock ensures the cell phone is always locked when not actively being used, stopping thieves from accessing stored information.

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Make sure you can still access your data -

Make sure there’s somewhere else you can get access codes sent to (two-factor authentication codes) to access your data from another device.

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Use a phone lanyard -

Invest in a phone lanyard that can be worn crossbody to keep your phone secure when you're out and about.

Sources: (Financial Times) (Metropolitan Police) (Consumer Reports) (The Brazilian Report)

See also: Europe's top pickpocketing hotspots (and how to stay safe)

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