Imagine being at a party, surrounded by music, having a good time with lots of people… Recording what we experience with the iPhone is inevitable. And we want to have our memory always alive in the Photos app, and why not show something on social networks. At that moment, we take out our iPhone, and even more eagerly if it is a new iPhone 16, and we take full advantage of the camera. This innocent gesture is precisely what many thieves use to identify the right iPhone models to steal.
Stop just taking pictures and start replying to a message, Someone else has already laid eyes on your iPhoneThis is how the “Apple technique” works, a method of theft that the Canary Islands police have identified during massive events such as carnivals and festivals, and for which they are already alerting the population.
Here’s How Thieves Steal Your iPhone Using “Apple Technique”
This organized group, composed of three to five people, acts with great skill. While one or two people distract the victimA third member of the team takes charge of stealing the iPhone, taking advantage of the momentary distraction. They do it at popular festivalslike the carnival celebrations in Gran Canaria, where the victim’s attention is focused on everything except his pocket.
According to police, the victims are usually those who display their high-end phones in an obvious manner, especially in reckless situations, such as under the influence of substances or in moments of euphoria during parties.
During the last parade of the Carrizal carnival, the Civil Guard organized a special operation that allowed them to arrest two members of the group in the act. These two young men, aged 21 and 22, not only resisted arrest, but one of them already had two arrest warrants. In total, Authorities detected 21 theftswith the recovery of several stolen phones.
Some of the objects stolen from the Canary Islands identified by the Civil Guard
How to protect yourself against this technique and other thefts?
To protect yourself against this Apple technique and any other theft that may occur during a festival, on vacation, etc., there are a few precautions and settings to enable to avoid falling victim to this and similar techniques:
- Try not to show your iPhone too much: Avoiding constantly taking out your iPhone at crowded events, especially when it’s not strictly necessary, can reduce the chances of being detected by thieves. Don’t stop recording what you want to take with you as a souvenir, but be aware of where you are.
- Use a hanging case that hides the iPhone: Over the past couple of years, strap cases have become all the rage. You wear it around your neck, making it harder for someone to steal your iPhone. There will always be the risk that they will snatch it from you, but in these types of events, they tend to steal things in more unexpected ways: pockets, bags, and backpacks. Also, if the case covers the iPhone well enough, it will be harder to tell if it is a recent model or not.
- Enable iPhone Anti-Theft Mode: Beyond the Find My app, the iPhone has an advanced anti-theft mode. That way, if theft or loss eventually occurs, you’ll know they won’t be able to access your data even if they know your unlock PIN, which they may have seen you enter.
- Have you reviewed Apple Care?: Yes, whether it’s Apple Care or breakage and theft insurance. For a few dollars per month you will be covered against any misfortune that may happen to your iPhone. It is one of the best decisions you can make when opening a new iPhone and I assure you that it is much better to take advantage of it. No case, no tempered glass, no fear of it being stolen and you losing all the money it cost you.
In the end, everything It’s about finding a balance between enjoying the moment and being aware of the risks. Saving your memories, sharing your experiences, and getting the most out of your iPhone is part of everyday life, but it’s also important to protect what you’ve worked so hard to achieve. Whether Apple Care or other insurance is worth it will depend on your lifestyle and how you care for your devices. The bottom line is that you decide how to enjoy and protect what’s valuable to you.
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