Farmington Hills Police Warn About 'iCrime' Phone Thefts

If you're someone who spends a lot of time texting or updating your Facebook status in public, you could become the victim of a new kind of crime. 

The Farmington Hills Police Department Crime Prevention Section sent out an alert Friday about "iCrime" or "Apple Picking", the theft of an iPhone or Android phone right from a user's hands. 

"The theft typically occurs when the person is engaged in their smartphone activities, unaware of their surroundings," the Nixle.com alert read. It included the following crime prevention tips:

• Be Aware – Thieves are banking on you being engrossed in your phone in order to complete a successful theft. Being aware – and showing others you are aware – can make a huge difference. 
  
• Avoid Loaning Your Phone – If someone asks to borrow your phone to make a phone call or send a text, do not pull out your phone. Politely decline the individual and direct them to the nearest public place (office building, corner store, etc.) where they can make a phone call. Also, avoid offering your phone to someone to take your picture at an event. 
• Choose Your Life Over the Device – No amount of money or the latest techno gadget is worth losing your life over. If someone steals your device, do not attempt to fight back to retrieve it. 
• Teach Your Children – Talk to your kids about being more aware. Teach them how to properly secure their devices, particularly if they are taking them to after-school practices or activities.