Police urge public to secure personal data after cellphone thefts lead to compromised bank accounts

BOSTON — Police are urging Bostonians to secure their personal information after a number recent cellphone thefts resulted in compromised banks accounts.

Victims have reported multiple fraudulent charges and withdrawn funds after their cellphones were stolen, according to the Boston Police Department.

Local residents are asked to remain vigilant when out in public and to take steps to safeguard personal electronic devices.

Boston police shared the following tips for securing personal and financial data on mobile devices:

• Lock Your Device with a Passcode: Utilizing a pin code every time you unlock your phone is the easiest way to keep your mobile data secure.
• Shoulder Surfing: Be aware of your surroundings. Individuals may stand close by and watch as you enter passwords for applications. Many companies offer screen protectors that can obscure your screen from onlookers as you use your devices.
• Avoid Automatic Logins: Don’t store your usernames and passwords on your device. Sign out of each application every time you are finished.
• Make Sure to Enable Passcode Features on Any Financial Apps: Many online banking and credit card apps have a passcode feature that can be enabled. If possible, only utilize apps that offer this important feature.
• If Your Phone is Stolen: Immediately secure your device remotely by enabling ‘Lost Mode’ or remotely wiping all data from the device.
• Be sure to quickly change any passwords connected to the stolen device, noting that even apps that offer ‘Two Factor Authentication may be jeopardized as the thief likely will have access to both your email account and text messages.

An investigation into the thefts remains ongoing.

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