Airport Mobile Phone Safety
The rules imposed at airports, especially during security checks, may seem unnecessary or ridiculous. It's a stressful time when workers rush travelers, and all the travelers think about is getting to their departure gate as quickly as possible. In a large airport, it is estimated that travelers can spend up to 15 minutes waiting in line and placing their belongings in the bins.
At these checks, the primary items to remove are liquids and electronic devices. It seems that the day is getting closer when liquids will no longer need to be taken out in plastic bags whenever we fly. In fact, some airports are already testing new 3D scanner technology to avoid this. However, the issue with devices is more complicated. Additionally, there is the danger of leaving your mobile phone on the tray.
Theft of Mobile Phones at the Airport
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the United States, responsible for protecting the country's transportation systems, has warned about an increasingly common occurrence: the theft of mobile phones at security checks. This problem, which is receiving more and more reports, arises from just a few seconds of distraction while putting on shoes, a belt, or organizing documents.
Many people tend to think that mobile phones are no longer attractive to thieves because they are very secure, and when locked, they only serve to extract a few parts that aren't worth much. However, what is truly at risk is the theft of personal information. Our phones contain banking apps, digital credentials, transit passes, etc., which can be accessed very easily.
Some internal TSA studies reveal that most thefts occur in the brief seconds between when a device is left in the tray and when it is picked up. The thief is usually close by and acts as if they are lost and confused, grabs the phone, and amid all the chaos and hurry to get out of there as quickly as possible, takes it away. The same Administration claims to recover up to 100,000 lost items every year, but thefts are hard to track.
Tips to Prevent Thefts and What to Do If You Lose Your Phone at the Airport
No one wants to have their phone stolen, but especially not when we are going on vacation or coming home from one. Some tips to prevent this, according to the TSA, include:
- Check that you are not wearing a belt, coins, watches, or any items that need to be removed and placed in the tray. The fewer things you have, the easier it will be to recover everything.
- Store your phone and all valuables in a zippered pocket of your bag or backpack.
- Keep an eye on the tray at all times and activate tracking apps before stepping into the airport.
- Collect everything calmly and put back on your shoes and other belongings in a quiet place, ensuring first that you have your valuables.
In the event you lose it, the steps to follow are very simple, starting with approaching the lost and found office at the terminal to report the incident - if you are in the United States, the country where this is most likely to happen, to the TSA. If the suspicion of theft is very high, you should file a report with the airport police and block the device remotely. Ultimately, you should always keep an eye on your carry-on luggage.