It’s summer. Do you know where to find it? cellphoneIt is?
It’s not a stupid question considering new data that shows more mobile phones are lost or stolen in June, July, and Aug than any other month in the year. The most notable exception is July.
“People are outdoors, active and so busy enjoying themselves that they’re not always as careful as they should be,”Bettie Colombo, Asurion’s global leader in consumer technology protection services, explains why she noticed an increase in insurance claims.
Then there’s the “stolen”This alone has convinced law enforcement officials that smartphones are The New ATMs to criminals. According to data released last year by the Federal Communications Commission, between 30 and 40 percent of all major U.S. cities robberies involved the violent theft of phones. You can see why you might want your beach bag checked right away.
These are some valuable tips:
* Buy a waterproof case. Some people may say that swimming at the beach or pool should not be interrupted. Do they have friends who want to see photos of you playing water volleyball or the beach? Cnet.com says that a case can’t be waterproof unless it is water-resistant. “can be fully submerged underwater for at least 30 minutes.”
* Stay alert. Anybody can become a target for thieves, not just tourists. Some of their operations are now well-known. “so sophisticated,”Eric Schneiderman, New York Attorney General, says that stolen smartphones are being “exported to other countries.”You don’t have to make life easier for the crooks by using your phone in public places and chatting on it.
* Use a screen protector. A thin film can prevent a scratch from affecting your touch screen.
* Enroll in cell phone protection from your wireless carrier. Annually, 80 million smartphones are stolen, damaged or lost. A low monthly premium insurance premium, along with a deductible if you file a claim will save you the sticker shock of finding out the true cost of your smartphone — more details in a moment — and you’ll get a replacement within the hour.
* Use a password. One in three people uses a password to unlock their phones. “If it is stolen,”Colombo: “that’s at least your first defense against identity theft.”
A final warning about the aforementioned “sticker shock.”When you sign a contract with a wireless carrier, smartphones are heavily subsidized by them. Asurion is a well-respected firm that can insure your smartphone.www.asurion.comIf you needed to replace the Apple iPhone 5 with 64 gigabytes memory that you purchased for $400, it would cost you around $850.
