Had phone stolen but got it back, is there anything I should be worried about?
Posted by Choice_Pension_6140@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 37 comments
As it sounds! Someone whipped my phone out of my hands as I sat by the doors of the overground, I pursued them, and ultimately got it back thanks to a very quick thinking teenager.
It was unlocked and out of my hands for about two minutes and I think the young lad had it for most of that time til he found me. Changed my card and am keeping an eye on my bank accounts, but is there anything else I should worry about? I can’t imagine that they had time to do anything whilst I was after them, but I suppose I would like some reassurance! An unnerving experience.
FirstKnownSurvivor@reddit
Make sure all your financial apps are password-protected (not face/fingerprint recognition). If they know your phone’s passcode, thieves can open your settings and change the phone’s biometrics to theirs, enabling free access to your accounts.
lysergic101@reddit
Malwared you...it takes seconds on an unlocked phone.
Choice_Pension_6140@reddit (OP)
How would this work?
lysergic101@reddit
By hitting a specific url that contains the payload.
Pigflap_Batterbox@reddit
Check your email programs and make sure no forwarding rules have been applied to send a copy of your emails elsewhere.
notanadultyadult@reddit
How do you check this?
Pigflap_Batterbox@reddit
Depends on which email program \ webmail you are using, but look for forwarding settings or rules settings in the app or site. Check on the app's support pages online for instructions for that specific app.
SweetMaam@reddit
Best advice
Neat-Suspect-6666@reddit
It was out of their hand for 2 minutes, I would be shocked if the local mandem had such fast IT skills.
Good suggestion none the less.
Choice_Pension_6140@reddit (OP)
I am hoping I won’t make myself a prime target for an easy mugging again but I will certainly be banking this information for future use
Choice_Pension_6140@reddit (OP)
Excellent, didn’t think of this
ChapterCritical5231@reddit
Very good call
Buddy-Matt@reddit
I've never seen a banking app that doesn't have app level security. Socials, email, messaging app - you'd be able to see any posts/comment/messages sent.
Never hurts to reset your passwords, but I suspect you're fine. 2 minutes isn't much time to do anything, much less if you're actively trying to run/hide as well.
UKAOKyay@reddit
They might have put it up their or somebody else's arse. Be careful.
abyssal-isopod86@reddit
And this is why I have a wrist strap for my phone.
Choice_Pension_6140@reddit (OP)
The thing is that I did have a wrist strap on
abyssal-isopod86@reddit
Does it have an adjustable clip to make it snug to your wrist?
I have had people tried to snatch my phone and the strap is what stopped them every time.
Choice_Pension_6140@reddit (OP)
No but it will do after pay day! It was around my wrist and between my index and middle fingers but that obviously isn’t enough. I actually think I wouldn’t have been able to react in time to follow him off the train if I hadn’t seen the charms on it zip past my eyes, so there’s that at least
abyssal-isopod86@reddit
Yeah without that clip to make it snug range of wrist they are pointless.
PatchcordAdams@reddit
How did you get it back? What did the teenager do?
In answer to your question - really doubt someone being chased would have time to do anything nefarious. Definitely change passwords though!
Choice_Pension_6140@reddit (OP)
I ran after him screaming “bitch, thief, c**t” etc which obviously alerted the others on the platform. I think the kid shoved him, (deffo heard him shouting) but I didn’t really register as I was focused on catching the guy. I ran out of puff at the top of the stairs, spent a moment talking to the guard, and was about to head back down to the platform before the boy handed it back to me. It was like the crappest episode of The Sweeney.
I suppose the thing would be whether the teen then accessed the phone in those couple of minutes? Had an unexpected password reset email for my argos card but that’s about it so far
PM-me-your-cuppa-tea@reddit
Are you questioning whether the teen that handed your phone back to you did anything? Poor guy saved your phone and gets suspected. If he wanted to do something with your phone he would have not returned it and enjoyed the time until you could block it.
Choice_Pension_6140@reddit (OP)
I was not questioning it at all until I started getting unexpected password reset emails a few hours after the fact. Some slight damage done but nothing major.
When I made the post I thought I was being really over anxious as it was out of his hands SO quickly- took maybe 20 seconds from seat to stairs and the young lad must have caught him midway up the platform. I was still chasing the guy after he had lost the phone.
I don’t really know what to make of it, obvious cad with seconds on the fly or nice lad who returned the phone after a couple of minutes? Think I’d rather go with obvious cad.
outsider247@reddit
I am wondering if the kid and the theif were in it together?
Like to get into your emails etc..
But unlikely given the short duration, unless they are really tech savvy 😬
outsider247@reddit
Buy two of these.
https://store.google.com/gb/product/titan_security_key
Its a hassle but atleast its one more layer for anyone to crack.
ChapterCritical5231@reddit
In two minutes they could have cloned your SIM. Nothing for it but to change your SIM, number, passwords and email. Freeze all your cards and delete all tokens on Apple Pay/Google. Burn the phone or even better send it to me for dismantling in a precise manner. Then you’re safe
AskUK-ModTeam@reddit
A top level comment (one that is not a reply) should be a good faith and genuine attempt to answer the question.
Choice_Pension_6140@reddit (OP)
If you give me your address. bank details, and your mother’s maiden name I’ll be happy to send it over
Neat-Suspect-6666@reddit
Just ensure you have two factor authentication set up for everything sensitive.
subbiedavie@reddit
probably okay cos doubt he had enough time to do damage or access anything but changing passwords maybe a good precaution?
Choice_Pension_6140@reddit (OP)
Just had an unrequested password reset email nearly two hours after the fact for my argos card account which is odd because that deffo was not already open and is face id. Done all the emails, reported cards stolen just in case. I think it’ll just be socials which is a pain in the arse as I don’t really use them anyway
AllThatIHaveDone@reddit
Just getting your email address would be enough to do a password reset. They wouldn't need access to the app.
Choice_Pension_6140@reddit (OP)
Ah yeah, duh!
squidgytree@reddit
Change your Apple/Google password just in case
Big-Bumbaclart@reddit
Check for poo in case he concealed it in his anus for a bit.
Choice_Pension_6140@reddit (OP)
ha
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