Meek Mill’s Phone Stolen: How to Protect Your Mobile Phone on Ghana’s Street.

Cellphone theft has been rising quite considerably, here are some pointers to protect yourself and your phone from street criminals.

Cellphone theft has been rising quite considerably. So much so that the chances of getting your device snatched is becoming a common occurrence. Sometime ago Music Artist Meek Mill visited Ghana and got his Cell Phone stolen.

The mobile phone snatchers might not be interested in the less priced Cell Phones but rather expensive ones – they prefer the sleek ones with camera, MP3 player, 4G-5G, Portrait Display and price range of about 300 to 1000 dollars which can fetch them enough money. It’s known that gang boys, sometimes riding on motorcycles look out for those holding their expensive mobile phones in display.

12 Tips to keep thieves away while walking the streets of Ghana.

 A lot of factors are considered by thieves before they make a move on your device, some may not succeed but can inflict injuries on you whiles you defend your gadget from being stolen. Below is some of the best ways to avoid Ghanaian thieves from being able to snatch or steal your Gadget?

• Take Shelter inside.

To use your phone safely while you’re outside, always get into a shop, building, or mall that’s nearest to you. Before pulling out your cell phone in the middle of nowhere, take a moment to scan your surroundings for anything or anyone that might seem suspicious. For instance, if you witness several individuals intently staring at you while gradually approaching you, be smart and brave. Put your mobile phone in your pocket and tap it down well.

• Be aware of your surroundings.

Danger looms everywhere on the street especially in  Accra and Kumasi, so before making a call or picking a car, do well to check your surroundings to make sure there is no target on your back, the challenge of being able to screen around you making sure you have no target is hilariously annoying but for the safety of your gadget and things best to be sure before displaying your phone

• Use a hands-free unit.

Being the odd person talking loudly to an imaginary friend is something no one wants to be noticed for. Hands-free devices, such as Bluetooth earbuds or using ears pods, could be useful to avoid Phone theft. These days, if you get a new phone, it usually comes with one. Try getting an air-pod to help keep your phone. Worst case scenario they will steal the pod which is less costing compared to your expensive phone.

• Hide your phone away when you are not using it.

Again, it follows the simple principle of avoiding showcasing your phone. When you keep it in places easy to access, you make it effortless for possible criminals to steal your phone.

These are some places where you should not keep your phone: the back pocket of your pants, the front pocket of your jacket, the outer pocket of your backpack, etc.

• Do not text and walk at the same time.

Yes, far too many individuals act in this manner. It is true that, no matter where you are, it is nearly hard to ignore your phone’s “ding.” However, bringing it out to see whether you can respond to that message and check it will leave you quite exposed. Walking while texting not only increases the likelihood of hitting oneself with a light pole, but it also causes you to lose awareness of your surroundings, and the bad guys are unfortunately skilled at picking these things up.

• Do not to keep your personal information in your phone.

It is crucial to exercise caution and refrain from storing sensitive personal information on your phone. Mobile devices are susceptible to security breaches, such as hacking or loss, which can expose your data to unauthorized access. Avoid storing financial details, passwords, or confidential documents on your device, minimizing the risk of identity theft or privacy invasion. Implement strong passwords, enable device encryption, and regularly update security settings to fortify your digital defenses. Additionally, consider using secure cloud storage or external drives for essential information. By prioritizing data protection, you can mitigate potential risks and safeguard your personal information from potential threats.

• Passwords protect your device.

Having your phone password protected is the first line of defense against unethical individuals gaining access to your personal data, should your phone fall into their hands. In addition, you can install a plethora of programmes on your phone to password secure various files that might contain confidential data.

• Don’t leave your phone unattended.

Avoid leaving your phone unattended to prevent unauthorized access and potential security breaches. Unattended phones are susceptible to theft or misuse, putting your personal information at risk. Always keep your device secure, either by carrying it with you or storing it in a safe location. Implement additional security measures like password protection or biometric authentication to enhance the protection of your data. By staying vigilant and mindful of your phone’s whereabouts, you can minimize the likelihood of privacy and security issues.

• Clutch your handbag or purse tightly.

When walking on the streets in Ghana, be sure to put your mobile phone in the innermost part of your handbag or purse. Do not put it at sides or outer parts. Remember to clutch your bag tightly and firmly while walking on busy streets such as Nkrumah circle, Kaneshie and Nima zongo areas.

• Keep your car door glass closed while driving.

For online drivers such as Uber, bolt, Yango or car owners, please always roll up the glass of your car when you have your phone on your dashboard or next to you Infront. Don’t make the mistake of leaving your car door glass down. Leaving it down would not only attract the phone snatchers but make it easy for them to pick your phone out of your car.

• Hold your phone firmly.

If you happen to find yourself in a situation where you have no bag or purse, kindly hold your phone tightly. Phone snatchers are attentive and aggressive looking for any loose grips, you need a firm grip on the mobile device. Don’t ever hold your smartphone or tab loosely.

• Use an anti-theft software.

Install anti-theft software as soon as you purchase any garget, i.e., before it is stolen. You can benefit from this as a preventative measure. You can register your phone as lost or stolen, and software will display the phone’s location—after it connects to the internet, it will send you reports about its location and take images of its surroundings. Quite cool, don’t you think?

Grandma once said that a thief is created by opportunity. Criminals will always be on the lookout for opportunities to steal our electronics, phones, or any other possessions. Once travelled from Mallam Junction to Kwame Nkrumah Circle and as the bus got to kaneshie my phone got snatched because I was sitting beside the window taking and feeling the wind that comes with the moving car. The thief who snatched the phone had the gut to insult me for being a fool and displaying my phone outside the windows before running off with it.

The incidence till dates pains me a lot since I had the best of my music collection on some school documents on it.