EVERY SIX MINUTES A CELLPHONE IS STOLEN IN SOUTH AFRICA; WOMEN TARGETED MOST

According to the insurance company, an alarming 11,404 reported incidents of common robbery occurred in the first quarter of 2023, a 7.9% rise over the previous year, and South Africans must remain cautious.

The company also stated that over the previous year, 80% of smartphone claims came from female consumers, and Gauteng remained a hotspot for cellphone theft, with incidences peaking on Thursdays and Sundays.

“The figures are extremely concerning, especially here in South Africa and it is true that women are targeted almost five times more often than men,” says Dialdirect’s spokesperson, Martin van Wyk.

Van Wyk said that a cellphone is stolen every six minutes; criminals are “shoulder surfing” to observe the PIN code before stealing the phone, and this gives them access to a wealth of personal information.

“Nowadays, phones are essentially bank cards, so if your phone is stolen, make sure to de-link your bank account from your device and alert your bank immediately to prevent criminals from looting your hard-earned savings,” says van Wyk.

“Nowadays, one’s life is stored on their phone. While insurance covers you against theft, loss, and damage, it’s best to always be on high alert,” he said.

Van Wyk further added that it is important for people to remember that their lives are more important than their cellphones; however, with a good backup strategy in place, phones and contacts can be replaced.

What Can Happen If Your Phone Is Lost or Stolen?

The moment you can’t find your phone, you should assume the worst. 

Phone thieves often go straight for your personal information after stealing your phone. They’ll try to access banking and investment apps, social media and email accounts, photos, and passwords. 

They’ll change your passwords and lock you out of your email accounts so that you can’t get back in, while they run their schemes.

With your phone, thieves can:

• Make unauthorized purchases using your linked credit cards and Apple or Google Pay.
• Access your passwords and login information for various accounts. (As many as 99% of people reuse passwords across business and personal accounts. So, if scammers gain access to your phone, they can potentially get into your other accounts.)
• Hack your email account and lock you out.  
• Access your bank accounts or investing apps and wire out your savings. 
• Mine enough personal data to steal your identity. 
• Hack your Google or Apple ID and bypass two-factor authentication (2FA) on your other apps. 
• Run phishing scams targeting your friends and family. 
• Use sensitive photos to blackmail you (i.e., sextortion). 
• Find out what places you visit and get details about your economic status.
• Open credit cards and loans in your name. 

The list is endless. And we’re not even talking about the fact that you’ll need to spend hundreds or even thousands on buying a new phone. 

The following advice has been provided by Dialdirect to help you stop being the next victim of smartphone theft: