A mobile phone is stolen every six minutes in UK capital, London . Brazen thieves have even been seen caught through the streets on motorbikes or ebikes, swiping phones from unsuspecting locals and tourists . A total of 52,000 a year were reported stolen in 2023 - that's a thousand a week.
READ MORE: Here are all the best places to stay in Phuket, depending on what vibe you're after In June, one man admitted stealing 24 phones in just an hour in London on a motorbike. And it's not just London. A Vodafone survey found Asia (41 per cent) and Europe (32 per cent) were the top two destinations for phone mishaps.
READ MORE: The best beaches in the world for nudists have been revealed And Aussie travellers are spending hundreds and thousands of dollars on replacing and repairing their mobiles. According to phone company, Vodafone, 23 per cent of Australians who have travelled overseas in the last five years and had their phone damaged or stolen or lost, paid up to $500 to repair or replace their device. As many as 22 per cent reported paying up to $250 and 21 per cent forked out up to $1,000.
READ MORE: The 'one thing' you have to do in Paris, according to Catriona Rowntree The survey found pickpocketing, having a phone swiped from hands or a table were among the way phones were taken. There are some things you can do to avoid being a victim. As well as the obvious tips like keeping it in a secure location and not placing it on a restaurant table, there are other steps you can take.
READ MORE: Camping trick that makes it easier to sleep: 'Really important' READ MORE: Would you give up your plane seat for a new bride on her honeymoon? Set up the 'find my phone' function so if it does go missing, you know where it is. Beware of logging into free Wi-Fi, which might not be secure. It's also essential to use a strong password and set up two-factor authentication.
You should also back up your data in case your phone is taken. Also check with your provider about extra protection in case of theft. Of course you should also make a report to local police, and you may be able to claim on travel insurance.
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