Protect Your Belongings
on this page:
Theft of personal
belongings Keep safe on the
move Your credit
cards
ATMs (cash
machines) Your mobile telephone
Theft of
personal belongings
Robbery is more likely to take place in quiet or dark areas, and
pickpocketing is more likely where it is busy. However, thieves
also work near train stations and bus stops, where people are
likely to get their mobile phones out. If possible, wait until you
get to work or home to make a call or send a text message. Be extra
careful:
- at train stations
- at cash machines
- in car parks
- getting on and off buses
- in overcrowded areas, especially during rush hour
You hear about people having their bag snatched or their mobile
phone stolen. In fact, the chances of it happening to you or your
family are low and there are plenty of things you can do to make it
even less likely.
Keep safe on
the move
What you can do:
- Carry your bag close to you with the clasp facing inwards. Keep
it zipped up, and make sure your wallet or purse can't be seen.
Don't carry large amounts of cash.
- Spread your possessions about - for example, keep your mobile
phone separate from your purse, and your keys separate from your
credit card.
- Cover up any expensive jewellery and, if you must carry other
valuables, be discreet. Don't use headphones while walking or talk
on your mobile, - stay alert! Your MP3 player is music to a thief's
ears. Wearing headphones (for a CD or MP3 player) or carrying a
laptop all show thieves you have things worth taking.
- Have your house keys ready so you can get in the front door
quickly - and carry them on you, not in your bag.
- If you are in a wheelchair, on a bike or pushing a pram, keep
your bags where you can see them.
- Think about your route, especially if you're going to be on
your own or carrying lots of shopping bags.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
Your credit
cards
Follow this anti-theft advice:
- Keep your cards separate from your chequebooks.
- Never let them out of your sight or pass on your Personal
Identification Number (PIN).
- Don't leave them behind the bar or counter. Staff could copy
your details.
ATMs (cash
machines)
If you need to use cash machines, do so during the day and use
machines inside banks if you can. If not, choose ones on a busy
street with good lighting.
Cover the keyboard with your free hand so that no-one can see
the number you enter. If someone starts distracting you or stands
close by, cancel the transaction and walk away. If you have
withdrawn any cash, put it away immediately.
If your credit cards are stolen, call your bank or credit card
company to cancel them immediately. Don't even wait until you get
home. You should find a 24-hour emergency number on your statement
and on some cash machines.
Your mobile
telephone
If your mobile phone is stolen, it's bad enough that it's
expensive to replace. There's also the hassle of losing all those
stored numbers, messages, pictures and downloads. So how can you
protect your phone?
- Don't leave your phone on tables in pubs or restaurants and try
not to use it in a crowded place.
- Avoid using your phone near a tube or train station or when
getting on or off the bus. Wait until you are further away from the
stop or station.
- If you need to make a call in public, make it brief and keep an
eye out for those around you. Remember, if you're chatting you're
less likely to be aware of what's going on around you.
- Don't walk while you're sending text messages.
- Always ask yourself, "Is it safe to answer my phone right
now?"
- Register your phone with your network operator. This means they
can block calls if your phone is stolen so the thief can't use it.
You can also register your mobile equipment on'MEND' at http://www.menduk.org// (MEND, or
Mobile Equipment National Database, is a police-approved programme
for registering mobile phones and other mobile IT equipment.)
- Record your registration number (also known as the IMEI or
International Mobile Equipment Identity number) and phone number.
Keep these numbers separate and safe. You can find your IMEI number
(a 15-digit serial number) by keying *#06# into most phones or by
looking underneath the phone battery.
If your phone is stolen, report it to your network operator (or
call 08701 123 123) and to the police. Your phone can be blocked,
just like a stolen credit card. Once blocked, it cannot be used
again.
