Common Techniques Pickpockets Use to Steal Your Phone—How to Avoid Being a Victim

Pickpockets are some of the most cunning people, usually hanging around in the streets, railway stations, or in any other public spaces and crowded areas. They are not only after your money or jewellery. They also like to steal one of your priciest possessions, your mobile phone. 

Pickpockets can steal your phone without harming you or snatching it. They have devised clever ways of getting into your head and fooling you into giving them your phone or taking it without your knowledge.

Even if you use a complex passcode, or lock screen pattern, or have activated the face unlock feature, that is not enough to keep them at bay. Pickpockets will steal your phone any time they get the opportunity. If they are smart enough to steal your phone, then they might as well access your private information including bank details, credit card details, etc.

Here are some clever techniques pickpockets use to steal phones and how to avoid falling victim:

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  The bump

The bump is a common pick-pocketing technique, used especially in crowded areas. This is when a pickpocket bumps into you on purpose in order to steal your phone. Since you’re focused on the area of your body that was hit, you don’t realise that your phone is being taken.

• The hidden hand

The Hidden Hand is a popular pick-pocketing technique that involves using something like a newspaper or magazine to hide hand movements while stealing. This technique is common in crowded areas like bus stops, where people are standing still. Pickpockets hide their hands from other people while in action to avoid drawing attention and alerting the victim.

• The diversion

The Diversion is one of the most common techniques that pickpockets use and is usually executed by a team. One pickpocket will drop something in front of you, hoping you’ll pick it up for them. As you bend to pick it up, the second one will come from behind and take your phone without your notice. 

How to avoid being a pickpocket victim

1. Beware of your surroundings. Pickpockets love crowded areas. Avoid crowded areas as much as you can. If you can’t, take extra care. Keep checking your phone in your pocket or bag.
2. Watch out for potential distractions. When you bend to help someone, make sure your phone is not visible in your pocket.
3. Don’t make yourself look like an easy target. Walk confidently like you know where you are going.