Thousands of cell phones are stolen and infiltrated every month. Even some Fordham students have been victims of this crime. Once a cell phone is hacked, the thief has access to a huge amount of personal information. So take heed! Follow these practical measures to avoid becoming a target.
- Use your phone’s security lock code to create a unique pass code.
- Disable bluetooth on your phone if not in use.
- Make sure to only unlock the phone when you need to use it.
- Do not lend your mobile phone to strangers on the pretext of an emergency situation. They may slip away with it before you know it.
- Immediately report a lost or stolen phone to your service provider and to the police, and insist on an acknowledgment.
- If you are a member of the Fordham community, report your theft to IT Customer Care at 718-817-3999 or HelpIT@fordham.edu
- When not in use, keep your phone out of sight—in your pocket, backpack, or handbag.
- Do not, by any means, leave your cell phone unattended.
- Avoid disclosing the relationship between you and the people in your contact list. Avoid using names like “Home,” “Honey,”Hubby,” “Mom,” or “Dad.” Criminals might attempt to contact these individuals to extract more of your personal information.
Make sure your phone is secure. And if you get some weird-sounding texts from a friend or family member, get in touch with them in some other way before you respond.
For more information about cell phone theft, read “How to Deter Smartphone Thefts and Protect Your Data” from CTIA, the Wireless Association.