A typical Friday night turned into a nightmare for Anthony Smiljkovich at The Bullet Bar in North Hollywood when his iPhone was stolen. The disturbing incident revealed a larger problem when the bartender informed Anthony that six other patrons had also lost their phones that night.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, one in ten smartphone owners falls victim to phone theft. Cybersecurity expert Steve Tcherchian emphasizes the severity of the problem, pointing out that with a stolen phone, thieves can gain access to a victim’s entire digital life, including bank accounts and social media.
When Anthony realized his phone was missing, he immediately contacted Apple and activated Lost Mode, which was supposed to secure the device. However, after getting a replacement phone with the same number, he received gruesome death threats from the thieves. The messages included threats of violence and demands that he hand over the phone.
Tcherchian assures victims that such threats are usually empty and designed to get them to comply with the agreement. Anthony was able to trace his stolen phone back to Gardena before it ended up in China, a known hub for the black market for electronics, where phones are often disassembled and reassembled for resale.
Tcherchian recommends enabling anti-theft protection on devices, enabling two-factor authentication, and adjusting settings to require authentication for all actions to prevent phone theft. Anthony’s experience is a stark reminder of the importance of securing personal devices and staying vigilant in public spaces.
The LAPD has also issued the following safety tips:
- Keep your wallet and/or mobile phone in the front pocket to keep it close at hand
- If you are in a crowded environment, tie a rubber band around your wallet and/or cell phone to prevent it from slipping out easily
- Hide your wallet and/or cell phone in a hidden or secret pocket if you have one
- Avoid digging through your wallet to count money
