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When Theives Use Your Cell Phone

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Access Realty 433494

 

When Theives Use Your Cell Phone


I never thought of this! This lady has now changed her habit of how she lists her names on her cell phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag, which contained her cell phone, credit card, wallet, etc., was stolen.

Twenty minutes later when she called her hubby, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says, "I received your text asking about our Pin number and I've replied a little while ago.

" When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The thief had actually used the stolen cell phone to text "hubby" in the contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account.


Moral lesson: 
a. Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list.  Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mom, etc.

b. And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked through texts, CONFIRM by calling back.

c. Also, when you're being texted by friends or family to meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them. If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet "family and friends" who text you.

 

Posted by

P. Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA

We service all of Palm Beach County and S. Florida

 

 513 N. Country Club Drive, Suite 200, Atlantis, FL 33462

Office: (561) 247-7376 - Fax: (561) 537-7223 - Cell: (561) 629-2660

Email: PWH@WinstonRealty.co - Web: WinstonRealty

 

Search: Atlantis, Boca Raton, Lake Worth, Palm Beach Gardens,

South Palm Beach, West Palm Beach           

 

                      

              

P Winston Heverly - Real Estate Agent

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

WOW, I never thought of this. Thanks so much for the tips...going to make some changes in my contact list.

Aug 27, 2016 02:09 PM
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

That is great advice, Winston, I never would have thought about that. 

Aug 27, 2016 02:18 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

OH MY GOSH!  I never imagined that someone would be this clever!  THANK YOU for sharing, Winston!  I'm making sure right now that my contacts are not identified as 'family!'  THANK YOU again!!

Aug 27, 2016 03:21 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Thank you for the post. I will share this information with my family. 

Aug 28, 2016 05:18 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

This is very good advice ... that would tip the thieves for anyone who uses ICE on their phone ... they may not know the relationship of the ICE person but can presume it is someone close to the person who owns the phone. 

Aug 28, 2016 06:10 AM