Latest news with #iPhoneTheft
Phone Arena
3 days ago
- Phone Arena
Video shows how cops stopped a couple from stealing AT&T iPhones right off the delivery truck
The Wall Street Journal found that many of these iPhones had been ordered by AT&T customers. Some of the thieves eventually arrested by the long arm of the law were found to have a short list containing tracking numbers of iPhone shipments coming from AT&T . So this is why we're not surprised about a video found on YouTube that shows how a couple had a scheme that allowed them to steal new iPhone models as they were being delivered. Unlike some of the other incidents, this one had some differences. While the previously mentioned phones that were stolen by porch pirates were legitimately ordered by AT&T customers, in this case a consumer in Martin County, Florida had his identity stolen for the second time. Armed with the victim's personal data, the thieves ordered an iPhone 16 Pro Max from AT&T for $1,200. The victim also started receiving emails from AT&T confirming the purchase of the phone. The next email said the order had shipped and included a tracking number and an estimated delivery date. The consumer called the Martin County cops. We should point out the six months before, the same exact thing happened to the same guy except that phones were ordered through T-Mobile and the delivery truck was intercepted. Using fake ID, the thieves were able to get the driver to hand over the phones to them. This time, armed with the tracking data, on the expected delivery date the cops called the UPS driver and confirmed that his current shipment contained an iPhone delivery to the victim's address. The cops told the driver to alert them if anyone tried to take the package. Additionally, unmarked police cars followed the UPS truck as the driver went about his daily routine. A vehicle stopped by the UPS truck attempting to cut it off. A woman approached the UPS driver which is when the cops pounced on her and her husband and arrested them. We are only three months away from the unveiling of the iPhone 17 series and you need to be alert when you order an iPhone. Because of the popularity of the brand (in the U.S. especially), most thieves focus on stealing the iPhone as opposed to say, a Google Pixel handset or even a pricey Samsung Galaxy S Ultra model. That's because it is easier for the thieves to convert a stolen iPhone into cash than a high-end Pixel phone. If you do order a new iPhone-or any model really-from your carrier (they often have the best deals), make sure to arrange to have the package require a signature to be delivered. Verizon and T-Mobile won't leave a package without a signature but as of last year, AT&T 's default position was to allow phones to be delivered without a signature which makes them easier to steal. Last year, AT&T noted that requesting that UPS collect a signature for a delivery would cost it an additional $7.50. It's hard to believe that many iof these thefts could have been avoided had a huge corporation like AT&T spent an extra $7.50 on each iPhone shipped to a customer. Hopefully, we don't see another rash of such blatant rip-offs this year. It is frightening to consider that obtaining UPS tracking numbers of iPhones being shipped to AT&T subscribers could indicate the presence of rogue employees getting paid off to help a criminal enterprise conduct its "business."
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Glamorous woman's iPhone stolen and sent to China - then thieves started sending her unbelievable texts
A woman whose iPhone was snatched on a night out in North Carolina has tracked the device to a city in China that is more than 8,000 miles away. Marin Blake was at The Rose Honky Tonk bar in Charlotte's South End with her friends in March when a thief swiped her cellphone. She tracked her missing phone using Apple's Find My feature, which revealed the thief had taken the device on an unusual journey around the globe. Blake's phone thief travelled to Miami before heading Shenzhen, a leading global technology hub often revered to as the Silicon Valley of China, according to tracking data provided to WBTV. The glamorous paralegal has since replaced her phone, but says the thieves are now trying to target her on her new device months later. 'I've received multiple text messages ever since my phone went from Miami to China saying they're going to sell my information on the black market if I don't click certain links - which of course I didn't click,' she told the TV station. Blake suspects her phone thieves may be part of an organized ' crime ring' and has urged others to 'be safe, because you never know'. She tracked her missing phone using Apple's Find My feature, which revealed the thief had taken the device on an unusual journey around the globe. Blake's phone thief travelled to Miami before heading Shenzhen, a leading global technology hub often revered to as the Silicon Valley of China Blake, who according to her LinkedIn profile graduated last year with a degree in public relations, believes the thieves are messaging her in an attempt to get her to deactivate the stolen device. She refused to interact with their texts, but fears the pickpocketing scheme is part of a larger criminal operation. She says the incident 'doesn't feel random to me' and 'like it's orchestrated', telling the news outlet that action needs to be taken 'because it's becoming a huge issue'. Nearly 40 thefts have been reported to police in the South End since December, city crime mapping data has revealed. 'It's very scary to have something taken from you,' added Blake, who is currently working as a paralegal in Charlotte. She said the incident has 'made me more aware of my surroundings'. Last week, two other women claimed to have had their phones stolen while they were out with friends at another South End bar. One said a thief grabbed the device out of her back pocket, while another claimed her phone was swiped out of her purse. Shelby Mazzone, whose alleges the her phone was taken out of her bag while she was at The Gin Mill, told WBTV that she remembered a man slapping her hand around the time of the theft. She suspects the thieves, who have disabled location services on her device so she cannot track it, were trying to distract her so they could gain access to the bag. Charlotte police have not said whether investigators suspect the slew of thefts are part of a larger criminal operation. Authorities also did not immediately respond to request for comment. But bars in the South End are aware of the ongoing problem with at least one - The Gin Mill - posting a sign warning customers of a 'person taking wallets and phones'. 'Please be mindful of your belongings,' the sign reads.
