Category: Security

How To Protect Yourself In London From Phone Snatching

by Anil Polat | Feb 6, 2025 | Advice, Pictures and Video, Security, Tech | 1

You may have seen recent videos like this one from London, England where brazen thieves on e-bikes snatch people’s smartphones out of their hands in broad daylight. It’s a quick crime that’s been reported over 73,000 times in a recent 12 month span. Despite the headlines though it’s an classic crime and the tactics to avoid it are nothing new.

What’s Phone Snatching?

Phone snatching is a type of theft that’s just what it sounds like: someone grabbing your phone out of your hands and making off with it. In London the increasingly common tactic is several thieves working together on e-bikes in busy areas who quickly and quietly come up on someone texting, talking or just holding their phone. It’s a quick grab and by the time you notice they’re speeding away down the street.

Phone snatching also occurs on metro platforms where thieves can grab your phone just as the doors close. Again, the tactics is snatching, whether it’s a phone, purse, or backpack so here’s how to protect yourself.

Avoid Being A Phone Snatching Victim

There’s often a spotter looking out for people texting, talking, or simply walking with their phone held in hand. The crooks are looking for distracted people so the first line of defense is when you’re not using your phone, keep it in your (front) pocket or purse. When you need to text or make a call “pull over” away from the center of the sidewalk so there’s some physical barrier like a way on your back. This cuts off the angles someone can attack you from or just have a look around and get to a less crowded spot.

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Same thing goes for when you’re taking photos. When you are looking at your phone it’s most vulnerable so try to be mindful of what’s going on around you. Also, knowing where phone snatching rates are highest in London can help you increase your own awareness.

What To Do If Your Phone Is Snatched

Now if your phone does get snatched make sure to report it as soon as possible. Then, as quickly as you can, log into Find My Device on Android or iCloud for iPhone to mark your device as lost. You’ll also want to update your phone service carrier as well. If your phone was unlocked when it was snatched then be sure to change all of your passwords as soon as possible. That includes email, iCloud, social media, and cancel all of your credit cards and report them stolen if they were on your phone through Google or Apple Pay. I would also let your friends and family know in the meantime that your phone was stolen and to ignore any suspicious calls or texts from you until you’ve had a chance to reset all of your passwords and get a new phone.

Prevention is key to avoid being in this situation so no matter where you are in the world, be mindful when you take out your smartphone, know the local areas more prone to snatching theft, and create a backpack security system.

Beware Of Traveling To Certain Countries With A Garmin InReach

by Anil Polat | Jan 23, 2025 | Security, Tech | 0

The Garmin Inreach is a small device that uses satellites for communication and very common gear for hikers, bikers, and other people who travel far from the reach of cell towers. GPS communicators are small, less expensive, and more common than they’ve been in recent years. All of those factors mean many are traveling with them without being aware devices like the InReach are banned in many countries, including India.

You can watch the video above to see what happened to one traveler who was detained at an airport in India.

What’s An InReach?

Devices like the InReach are useful for maintaining communications where you might not have any reliable cell phone coverage, like when climbing mountains, hiking in the woods, or are diving for example. Having reliable communications is important for safety when you just can’t rely on a cell phone to make a call or send a message.

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Garmin inReach Mini 2, Lightweight and Compact Satellite...

But bringing a satellite communicator with you internationally to certain countries is where a lot of travelers get into trouble.

Where Satellite Communicators Are Banned

On the purchase page for the InReach buried in the fine print, Garmin note that InReach uses the Iridium satellite network but that some countries require government permission or require a government issued code to activate satellite communication. Other countries completely restrict the use of satellite communicators, like India, Thailand, Vietnam, China and Georgia. Additionally, the United States embargoes satellite communicators from countries like Afghanistan, Cuba, and Russia.

Verify Your GPS Device

Those of you planning to travel with any kind of satellite communicator should check with the embassy of the countries you’ll be visiting to see if there are any restrictions. I would recommend you add some details like what specific device it is and why you’re bringing it, for example “I’m going to be hiking this popular trail or climbing this mountain,” and wait for a response.

If your communicator is restricted, don’t bring it. If registration is required, make sure you get all of the proper permits and paperwork before you travel. And if they say it’s allowed, I snap a screenshot of the reply on your phone just so you have it in case there’s any question or trouble you come across.

Don’t make assumptions about the countries that allow or don’t allow satellite communicators. And in some places, like Mexico and Romania, services like SMS messaging are restricted. So make sure that you know any limitations and compensate for them so you can keep your outdoor activities safe. In countries where satellite communicators are restricted or banned, you may be able to rent one from a local authorized dealer. Some local bike shops, car rental locations, tourism offices, and hiking stores may be able to help.

iPhone and Samsung users also have the option to use the built in satellite communications in emergency situations. It doesn’t work as well as a dedicated satellite communicator and not available in every country but if it’s your only option, it’s better than nothing. In India having a Garmin InReach with you could lead to an arrest, detention at the airport, and in general a bad time. I can see though how people can make the mistake, these are small, useful, commercially availalbe and popular devices. But now you know to be careful when traveling with one so you don’t end up ruining your next trip.

What Travelers To The UK Need To Know About The New Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

by Anil Polat | Jan 2, 2025 | Security, Travel | 2

Starting on January 8th, 2025 the United Kingdom will be implementing a new electronic travel authorization (ETA) travelers will have to apply for before arrival. Here’s everything you need to know about the UK’s new ETA.

What Is The ETA?

The ETA is required for visitors who do not need a visa and will be traveling to England, Scotland, Wales, or northern Ireland. It is a security screening method that’s been newly implemented. You also don’t need an ETA if you have permission to work or study in the UK, are a British or Irish citizen, have a British overseas passport or are an Irish citizen (or dual citizen) traveling from Ireland to Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man.

In short, if you can travel to the UK without having to apply for a visa, you will now need an ETA. (Here’s where you can check whether or not you need an actual visa.)

How To Get An ETA

You can apply for the ETA using the UK ETA app available for Android and iOS, or directly through the ETA webpage. No matter the method you use the process is the same and takes around 10 minutes to complete. You’ll first enter your email address and be sent a verification code. Once verified you’ll have to snap a photo of your passport’s ID page and upload it to the site. Then you’ll either be asked for a face scan using the camera on your phone or laptop or be asked to upload a recent passport photo.

Next you’ll answer several security questions including whether you have any criminal conviction, if you have a job, and if you’ve ever been denied prior entry to the UK. Finally you’re presented with all of your responses and passport information (that was automatically parsed from the photo you uploaded) to review.

Make sure the information, especially your name and passport number are correct and edit them if needed. After verification you have to pay the ETA fee, which is 10 British pounds (GBP).

Approval Times

Getting your ETA approved can take up to 3 business days but is often much faster. Once approved, you don’t need to print or bring any additional documentation with you, it will be available to passport control once you arrive. (You’ll also receive a confirmation email for your own records.) The ETA is good for 2 years and unlimited entries and is a new, small step for all visitors to the UK.

Is Cambodia Safe?

by Anil Polat | Oct 17, 2024 | Advice, Security | 2

Most government warnings tend to be on the cautions side but those for Cambodia are especially alarming. Crime, theft, and robbery are all prominently highlighted but just how safe is Cambodia really? As for any country it depends on where you are but the main warnings are best managed with generous amounts of common sense.

Bag Snatching

Many of the warnings revolve around bag snatching where someone, usually two people on a motorbike, will grab a bag as they pass by you on the street. These are fast crimes of opportunity that can be avoided by carrying your bag or purse on the opposite side of the street. Simply by having your body in between the street and your bag makes you a more difficult target to hit quickly so it reduces your chances of a snatch and grab. Same goes for your phone or camera but any items you can keep out of sight while walking, the better.

Elements

There aren’t masses of people robbing tourists on the streets but there is something every visitor will have to deal with and that’s the heat. Cambodia is located around the 12 north latitude close to the equator. That makes the sun much stronger than anywhere in the US or Europe so prepare with sunscreen and remember to stay hydrated. Although you might be a city like Phnom Penh and surrounded by restaurants and cafes you can still end up dehydrated if you’re not consistently drinking water.

Always keep a bottle with you and plan your days like locals do, try to avoid the mid-day sun.

Follow The Sun

When it gets darker you’ll want to be even more aware of your surroundings. You’ll also want to avoid casinos and “massage” parlors and seedy bars, all places where scams, crime, and worse are much more likely to happen. Stay clear of those are your trip is much, much more likely to go smoothly.

You can also use the Grab app to call a ride or tuk tuk to get from one place to another and stay out of the sun or after hours get back to your hotel safely. Overall Cambodia is a destination you can visit safely and without incident if you follow some common sense advice to stay out of trouble.

Does Backpack Material Make A Difference Against Thieves?

by Anil Polat | Aug 1, 2024 | Luggage, Security | 0

We know that using this zipper trick can help to deter stealthy thieves from getting to your valuables but when it comes to more brazen criminals what your bag is made of can make a big difference. Slash attacks are when a crook cuts through your backpack to get at its contents, either when it’s on your back or when it might be under your seat on a bus or train.

To see whether or not nylon’s strength is worth its weight in protection versus lighter polyester and then even cheaper fabric blends, I put them to the test. Using several sharp kitchen knives I cut to the bottom of the question and found that material matters but not the way you might think. You can see the results in the video above to see whether your backpack holds up or what you might want to look for in your next luggage.

Why You Should Never Post Your Boarding Pass Online

by Anil Polat | Apr 4, 2024 | Security | 0

Posting pictures of your recent vacation on social media can be harmless but make sure you’re not uploading a photo of your boarding pass along with it. A boarding pass picture reveals a lot more than you think and could ruin your trip in more ways than one.

What’s On A Boarding Pass?

At first glance, boarding passes seem to have pretty generic information that’s not worth protecting. Your full name, the date of your flight, the departure and destination, flight number and seat. Those pieces of information: your full name, date of the flight, and seat number on their own might not seem like particularly sensitive information. Combined however, those pieces of data can give someone with malicious intent a lot of information to scam you.

Your full name might not seem very valuable but especially if you have a middle name is a good identifier for a thief to narrow things down. Departure city might also be interesting since it could indicate the area you live – and now a cyber criminal has bits of information indicating who you are, where you might live so by putting those together could potentially turn up an address with some Google searches. Going to Vienna for 2 weeks? Your house or apartment might be empty and a potential thief knows exactly how long you’ll be gone.

It might seem like paranoia but robberies after people post online that they’re on vacation do happen.

Changes You Don’t Want

Boarding passes will typically show your ticket number which, combined with the rest of the information on a boarding pass, is often enough for someone to modify or cancel your flights. Most airlines and booking sites will let you make changes to a flight with just a Passenger Name Record (PNR) – a common record on most boarding passes. Someone else with a picture of your boarding pass could do the same – potentially charging you for an upgrade or canceling your trip, causing you one big headache.

All of this information is also contained in the bar code which can be decoded easily using a number of websites where you can upload an image and read all the data. Your frequent flyer number, flight details, all of that can be used to get into your mileage account or reset the password, locking you out.

Keep Your Identity Private

There are even cases where using the information gleaned from a boarding pass of identify theft where someone calls the airline using information gathered from a boarding pass to get more information and commit fraud, essentially opening the door to other forms of identity theft. In addition to your frequent flier number, your boarding pass can give away your Known Traveler Number which is associated with Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check in the US, and redress number that’s part of Department of Homeland Security’s TRIP program).

It all comes down to information – the less you post online, the better. For boarding passes, make sure you do take a picture of them for this reason just never post it online.

About Anil Polat

Hi, I'm Anil. foXnoMad is where I combine travel and tech to help you travel smarter. I'm on a journey to every country in the world and you're invited to join the adventure! Read More