A WAVE of cell phone thefts has alarmed residents and prompted warnings from authorities.
The trend, known as “apple picking,” involves stealing smartphones, often through sneaky pickpocketing or fast-paced snatch-and-run tactics.
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Last Friday, the Hoboken Police Department issued a stark warning about the increasing number of cell phone thefts from there to Manhattan.
Detective Sergeant William Collins told local FOX affiliate WNYW-TV that over two dozen incidents have been recorded this year, mostly happening in bars and restaurants.
The thieves wait for somebody to place their phone or purse in a spot where they aren’t paying full attention to it.
For example, placing it on the bar or a table near you while they’re talking or have their back turned.
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Other times crooks have just have sneakily grabbed the phone out of patrons back pockets while they didn’t realize.
“To our knowledge right now, they are most likely bringing them to a central location, and the phones are either being sent elsewhere or sold,” said Collins.
In New York City, the problem is similar, but more fast-paced.
Thieves on mopeds have snatched phones directly from people’s hands in at least four reported incidents, causing some to fall to the ground.
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Other thefts have occurred on the subway, where the crowded and distracted environment makes it easier for pickpockets to operate.
Social media platforms like Reddit and TikTok have become rife with discussions and videos dedicated to the recent epidemic of stolen iPhones.
With cell phones holding most people’s personal and sensitive information, the theft of a phone can be much more than just an inconvenience.
It can be an actual threat to your bank accounts, credit cards, or even your identity.
Detective Sergeant Collins emphasized the importance of safeguarding these devices and the information inside, and has tips for doing just that.
This way, even if your phone does get stolen, you know your information is safe.
He recommends never leaving a cell phone unattended or out of your sight.
He also says people should keep their cell phone in a front pocket, not the back, where it can be easily grabbed.
Other tips include always keeping purses in front of you and on your body, especially when sitting.
Collins also recommends to avoid putting cash, credit cards, or any kind of identification in your cell phone case, because then you really lose everything if it gets stolen.
Experts also added that the best way to protect your phone and your personal info inside is to enable the iPhone’s new stolen device protection tool and back up your data to the cloud.
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This new protection tool by Apple won’t allow thieves to reset or delete anything on your phone without a fingerprint or bypassing face ID, even if they have the passcode.
“Your whole life especially now is in our phone, so we just want a safeguard,” Collins said.
Hoboken PD Tips on Avoiding Phone Theft
Hoboken police have issued a warning and tips on avoiding phone theft amid a rise in stolen phones from New Jersey to Manhattan
- Never leave your cell phone unattended.
- If you keep your cell phone in a pocket, keep it is in the front, not the back, where it can be easily grabbed.
- Always keep purses in front of your body, even when sitting.
- Avoid storing cash, credit cards, or personal identification in your cell phone case.
https://www.the-sun.com/news/11679036/new-york-hoboken-new-jersey-phone-theft-rise/