 |
| Don't be a victim... of a crime of opportunity! |
In today's world, it can be easy to let your guard down.
I was recently at a popular coffee shop near downtown Chicago that most people probably would feel safe at and was a victim of theft!
Yeah, it sucks ass. I mean, I'm a person who's been around the block several times so I should have known better.
I was sitting at the back of the shop with my mother, the only entrance was at front. There was only one restroom right next to where I was sitting. I had both of my cellphones out. When not using one, the other was directly in front of me on the table less than six inches away.
Shortly after sitting down, I noticed a few male teens hanging out in the front. I didn't think much of it until one by one, they came back and used the restroom. It didn't seem significant of course but after the third teen came out, he swooped in and grabbed my phone and bolted out of the store.
It happened so fast. I was using my other phone and all of a sudden this person came up, knocked over my coffee and before I knew what had happened, he was already at the door. I didn't have time to chase him if I wanted too. My mother was hysterical but I just had to be calm, to keep her calm. Some other patrons sitting nearby (YES, this happened with lots of people!) saw what happened and urged me to call the police. Unfortunately, that's about all I could do.
Of course, in retrospect, it was obvious. Three people who came in, they didn't buy anything, used the restroom and one by one they left. They were casing the place. Looking for an easy target. To my dismay, the easy target was me.
For formalities, I did call the police and filed a report. Having your most personal item taken from you makes you realize how much you need your phone. I did have a pattern lock on it so hopefully that will be enough to keep my data secure until it's flashed or abandoned. I also used Google's device locator service and put in a data wipe command which I hope goes through the next time the phone is online as well as reporting the phone stolen through my carrier. For what its worth, it's an old phone (to me), a Samsung Note 3 so it's not the end of the world but it's the data, the data on the phone and miniSD card that I'm most concerned with. The emails, the texts, the photos and my personal thoughts in my memo apps. If only I could be assured that was erased, I can care less about the phone!
The unknown is what haunts most people. Most of the data on the phone is backed up. I have changed all of the passwords of websites and apps that I had on the phone. All new email passwords and I will use the cloud more to automatically back up important files.
As I mentioned earlier, I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER.
It's so easy to get lost in a text or looking through a website that you would't even notice someone staring at you, your laptop, your purse sitting in the open. We take it for granted assuming that people wouldn't be stupid enough to steal in broad daylight but it happens all the time. You can't assume anything.
- Rule number one. Always keep an eye on your stuff. Easier said than done of course. But if it doesn't need to be out, then keep it hidden. I usually do keep my second phone in my pocket. For whatever reason, I just didn't think about it. I have a habit of switching back and forth between phones that I rarely have time to put one back. It's so easy to get distracted. I can't count the number of times I've set my phone down on the counter to pay for something. It only takes a split second for someone to grab it.
- Don't assume people will watch your stuff! You have no idea how many times I see people get up and go to the bathroom or go out and smoke while leaving their stuff on the table. You can't assume other people nearby are paying attention.
- Look for people out of place. Thieves generally hang around the front. Looking for possible marks. Some are more obvious that others. Note people who don't fit the norm. People who enter a coffee shop typically buy something. I should have spotted that immediately. It didn't help that it was Halloween so some people came in to the store with their children to "trick or treat" so I probably hap haphazardly associated the teens with treat or treaters even though none were in costume.
- Don't chase. It all happened in an instant and I immediately realized there was nothing I could do. It would have been pointless to run after the thief. I'm out of shape and I myself had a costume on so it would have looked really weird for a man in a raccoon costume chasing a teenager, irregardless why. If my mother had not been sitting there, perhaps my chase instinct may have kicked in. But nothing is worth getting killed over. I had no idea who these teens were or if they were armed so it would have been stupid to try and chase them.
- Constantly back up your data. While I'm not a huge fan of the cloud, it can come in handy in times like this. I do however backup my data about once a month and just did so a few days ago. So the videos and photos I shot on my recent Alaskan vacation are safe. Fortunately, most apps and websites routinely ask for passwords but it is wise to change them all if your smartphone is stolen. Also, it is wise to have a screen lock such as a pin code, pattern lock or finger print.
- Don't give thieves the chance. Again, this is easier said than done. I normally do hold my devices in such a manner it would be hard for someone to grab it. I usually "claw" my smartphone with 4 points of contact. Don't leave things out in the open. It seems ridicules to think people would steal right in front of you but it happens all freaking day long.
Lastly, shit happens. Not sure if I can say that but it does. It sucks. It hurts. It's actually quite embarrassing. But we are a civilized group of people. The person who stole my phone won't have many options. It was reported stolen through my carrier and through a police report so any pawn shop would likely turn it down from the getgo. I know most pawn shops steer clear from Sprint phones anyhow due to the CDMA lock. Selling on craigslist would be unlikely as the person buying the phone would request to call sprint to confirm it's not stolen. It could be flashed I'm sure but it would wipe the data. Since it's a CDMA phone, it cannot be formally unlocked without my permission. So, provided they somehow they bypassed my pattern lock, which is possible via the smudge lines but it was raining so I could hope the smudges got blurred, they could just look at my Alaska photos and read my John Grisham ebooks. If they connect to the internet at all, the phone should get the wipe command.
I'm certainly bummed out but I'm thankful no one was hurt and I thank the woman sitting next to me who was able to provide the police a fairly good description of the teens. I'm by no means am expecting to see my phone again but just hope that data got erased. Especially my wet fart rap song I was working on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Visit my and subscribe to my youtube channel!
Visit my ETSY shop!
All photos taken by Paul Clough.
© All Rights Reserved. Please contact for permission to use photos.
