| In American history, there are few electronic | | | | Number.Access Information: such as Personal |
| devices that we have grown | | | | Identification Numbers (PINs), |
| | | | |
| more dependant on than our cell phones.And, | | | | passwords, along with other codes used to |
| fewer yet that are misplaced or forgotten | | | | access our private information.In the best |
| more often.Because the cell phone is | | | | case scenario, thieves could use the phone's |
| constantly with us, these gadgets can be lost | | | | contact list to sell to |
| | | | |
| | | | mass marketing firms or the growing market |
| in a variety of places, including malls, | | | | of data brokers found on the internet.The |
| retail stores, even churches and | | | | worst case scenario?If thieves finds enough |
| | | | information from your cell phone to piece |
| other places of worship.Depending on our | | | | together, they can easily steal your |
| method of travel, we often misplace our | | | | |
| phones in cars, | | | | identity, apply for credit, or wipe out your |
| | | | bank account.In the event that your cell |
| buses or on subways.In large cities like | | | | phone is lost, or presumed stolen, here's |
| Chicago, cell phones are the leading | | | | what to do:(1.) Call your carrier |
| electronic device | | | | immediately to suspend your cell phone |
| | | | service. The |
| found most often in the back seats of taxi | | | | |
| cabs. In fact, according to a PC | | | | sooner, the better! You'll be liable for |
| | | | any calls placed on the phone before the |
| World article, over 80,000 of these gadgets | | | | |
| are found in Windy City taxies | | | | service suspended, so it's best to |
| | | | hurry.(2.) File a theft report with the |
| alone each year.While most cell phones | | | | police in the county you believe the cell |
| eventually make their way back to their | | | | phone |
| owners, a | | | | |
| | | | was taken. You'll be issued a case number |
| growing number eventually end up stolen.Why | | | | for the report. Keep it handy! Your |
| would a thief want with a cell phone?In the | | | | |
| past, when our cell phones were used only as | | | | carrier will most likely request it, and if |
| a means of communication, | | | | your phone was insured, that agency will need |
| | | | |
| a thief often stole a phone to rack up | | | | |
| hundreds - and sometimes thousands - of | | | | a copy too.(3.) Notify Financial and Credit |
| | | | Institutions such as banks, credit bureaus |
| dollars in fraudulent calls.While this is | | | | and |
| still popular a method for most cell phone | | | | |
| thieves, there may be | | | | other financial businesses if the cell phone |
| | | | contained sensitive information regarding |
| more ominous reasons for a thief to want | | | | |
| your phone.Depending on the information | | | | business with that agency. Have them flag |
| you've stored on your phone, a stolen phone | | | | your account. This should deter most |
| can | | | | |
| | | | criminals from gaining access to your |
| actually increase your risk of identity | | | | finances.For now, the best way to protect |
| theft.How?When you think about it, our cell | | | | your cell phone and personal information is |
| phone contains a lot of information about us | | | | to lock |
| | | | |
| and the people we know. We often | | | | the phone after every use.Sure, it's an |
| store:Contact Information: such as names, | | | | inconvenience. But, it's also the easiest |
| addresses and phone numbers | | | | way to prevent any unauthorized |
| | | | |
| of our family, friends and business | | | | access to both your phone's service and |
| acquaintances.Financial Information: | | | | data.Sandra Landwehr is the webmaster of |
| including bank and credit card numbers, | | | | The-Cell-Phone-Advisor.com, a consumer |
| safety | | | | awareness site which offers National Carrier |
| | | | Reviews (Pros and Cons), Prepaid Cell Phone |
| deposit box information and others. A few | | | | Comparisons and insightful, well researched |
| of us store more sensitive information, | | | | advice on choosing your cell phone and |
| | | | service. |
| such as a spouse or child's Social Security | | | | |