iPod crime wave? Yes, and more
Posted: Friday, October 19 at 05:00 am CT by Bob Sullivan
There's an iCrime wave, a new report suggests. America is suffering a surprising resurgence in muggings, which increased more than 7 percent last year, the FBI says. The Urban Institute, a Washington, D.C., think tank, thinks it knows why: iPods.
The little gadgets are the perfect target for snatch-and-grab thieves who find a zoned-out music lover to target, easily identifiable by those signature white ear bud headphones. And the devices are also very easy to fence after being wiped clean, shoved into stolen iPod boxes and sold in small electronics stores.
I've never been shy about blaming Apple for its shortcomings, but even I was skeptical about the report, which appeared anecdotal and oversimplified. Still, author John Roman offers some pretty powerful anecdotes – there has been a documented iPod crime wave in the New York City subway system, for example.
But what I think readers need to understand about the report, and about the phenomenon, is this: there truly is a gadget crime wave going on right now. GPS gadgets, cell phones, iPods all are easy marks for criminals. In fact, according to some in law enforcement, stolen gadgets are now a bigger problem than stolen cars.
The loss of a gadget means more than the out-of-pocket cost. Think about what a bad guy could glean from your Blackberry or PocketPC. Getting these gadgets back is virtually impossible, though there are some fledgling initiatives on that front, which we'll get to in a second. But the headache of losing the item, combined with the potential nightmare of losing the data, should have you worried.
First, the iPod wave
Before you dismiss the iCrime wave theory (Acrobat required), consider other mini-crime waves you've heard about, like the 8-ball jacket craze in East Coast cities during the 1980s, or the Jordan sneaker craze about the same time. Both were blamed for upticks in overall crime. Then consider this: Way back in 2005, New York City police held a press conference warning subway riders about the perils of iPod-wearing. The agency said iPod thefts that year had radically altered overall crime data for the city's subways. Felonies were up in the first half of the year by 18 percent -- but excluding iPod thefts, overall crime was actually down 3 percent.
Watch an NBC News video on the iPod crime wave.
Such detailed data isn't available for the rest of the country, so it's impossible to say if iPods are fueling the nationwide increase in robberies, commonly called muggings. Still, says Roman, there are hints.
"There is a compelling correlation between when iPod sales took off and when the crime rate changed," he said.
An Apple official declined to comment.
If you talk to local police, they will tell you that gadget theft is a much bigger problem than even a 7 percent rise in robberies would indicate, in part because many gadget thefts aren't reported.
"People have just grown accustomed to it. It's the norm, now," says Boston police officer Tom Shea. College students, in particular, are notorious for not reporting stolen iPods.
Not just iPods, all gadgets
Shea is among those who think iPods are only the tip of the gadget theft crisis.
Paramus, N.J., Police Chief Fred Corrubia, who watches over a New York City suburb jam-packed with shopping malls, says theft of GPS gadgets from cars has kept his officers busy recently.
"We were getting killed by this," Corrubia said earlier this year. National data backs up his claim. From 2000-2004, the most recent data available, gadget theft from cars was up 30 percent, according to the FBI, while auto theft was essentially flat.
Gadgets are a good target for criminals for one reason; they are easy to sell.
Airport parking lots in Boston are a breeding ground for GPS theft, Shea said.
"You have crack-heads breaking into cars and selling them to cab drivers at airports," he said. Some of the $800 gadgets get dumped for as little as $50.
Cell phone thefts are also a growing problem, Shea said. Earlier this month, we reported on consumer frustration with cell phone firms, which are not as helpful as they could be when handsets are stolen
Solutions?
There are attempts to stem the tide of stolen gadgets, including some innovative technology solutions. None has made a serious dent in the problem, but some sound promising.
Shea has started a service called JustStolen.net, which allows victims to register their lost loot in a nationwide database accessible to law enforcement officials. Should a stolen item show up in a cache of gadgets recovered by police, it can be returned to the rightful owner. So far, hundreds of thousands of stolen items are listed on the site. Shea said has no idea how many have been returned to their owners, as agencies can contact victims directly without notifying him.
GadgetTrak, a small Portland company, has a service that can be installed on almost any USB-enabled device which will make a stolen gadget "phone home" as soon as it is connected to a computer with Internet access. Registered devices, when told to do so, will send the user's IP address, computer name and other identifying information to GadgetTrak, which then provides the data to the victim so it can be shared with police. The service costs $12.95 a year.
Owner Ken Westin said he's recovered four iPods since the service launched earlier this year. In three of the four cases, the music player was stolen from a student by a student.
There also are lower-tech services, like subscription product StuffBak, which provides users with "reward for return" stickers they can place on their gadgets. Good Samaritans (or thieves, for that matter) can call a single phone number and arrange to return an item through StuffBak. USAToday reporter Edward Baig had a positive experience with StuffBak several years ago, but obviously the service hasn't done much to stop criminals.
In truth, the only way to blunt the gadget crime wave is decisive action by the manufacturers, something we've yet to see. Gadget makers have nibbled around the edges of the crime problem. Garmin, for example, now allows GPS users to add PIN protection to their units. That doesn't really stop theft, though. It only prevents the criminal from using the gadget after it's stolen.
Earlier this year, Dateline NBC did an incisive investigation into iPod theft.
Producers added software to an iPod that allowed them to track a gadget through the fencing process, eventually enabling reporter Chris Hanson to interview people who bought stolen iPods. The question hanging over the project was this: Why isn't Apple doing something similar? If every iPod told on its thief, or at least became unusable after it was registered as having been stolen, the market for hot iPods would dry up. So would iPod theft. Apple hasn't made any motions toward such a process.
The same goes for cell phone makers, who could figure out how to completely disable stolen handsets. Right now, all they do is disable accounts connected to stolen phones, which can often be reprogrammed and fenced. The same also goes for digital cameras, GPS gadgets, and nearly anything that ever needs an Internet connection.
"The way you get to the root of the problem is to kill the service," Shea says. "But that's not happening now.”
I hope by now you are wondering why gadget makers would do this: After all, what is their financial motivation? What happens after you iPod or GPS is stolen? You buy another one. Without additional pressure from somewhere else (Congress? Users?), lack of a profit motive means nothing will change.
RED TAPE WRESTLING TIPS
For now, there are ways you can decrease the odds you'll be a victim. Just like parking your car under a streetlight and locking the doors, you should always think about where you keep your gadgets at night.
• Never leave obvious signs of a tech-haul in your car, like a GPS mount on the windshield or a charger in the cigarette lighter. In a high-prowl area of Washington D.C., some residents have taken to emptying out their glove boxes and leaving the doors open to show would-be criminals that their car isn't worth raiding.
• This might seem tedious, but it is worthwhile to take an inventory of all the gadgets in your life. Write down serial numbers. That's the only way you'll have a prayer of getting your gadgets back if they are stolen. Some police departments will refuse to take reports without them. And while we're at it, always file a police report. Otherwise, we'll never get an idea how big the gadget theft problem is.
• Also tedious but worth it: adding password protection to your gadgets, particularly PocketPCs, Blackberries and anything else with valuable personal information. If your gadget is stolen, you’ll wish you did. When you are feeling lazy about it, just think about some criminal (or some eBay buyer) reading all your e-mail and weeding through all your contacts.
• Finally, for high-end cell phone users, consider buying optional insurance. Generally, handset insurance is a bad deal, because of high deductibles and the frequent low quality of replacements. But if you're talking about a $600 phone, a $7 a month insurance plan isn't such a bad buy.
Study: ID thieves are strangers, often women
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Consumer Man, aka Herb Weisbaum, exposes scams and answers questions
I work in a hospital, which is notorius for "gadget" (and pen) theft. I walk around with ALL of my gadgets (video iPod, Treo and Motorola i880) in my lab pocket! So far - no thefts!
Lisa M. Williams, RN (Sent Oct 19, 2007 6:41:53 AM)
Bank Robberies also increased. Overall, crime, terrorism, outsourcing and illegal immigration have increased under Republican leadership.
iPods are the new car stereos except you do not have to break into car windows. It is easier to push a distracted iPod user to the ground by surprise and snatch their product away. GPS systems sitting on dashboards are more than an invitation.
I actually is shocked knowing crime is increasing and still see people walking at shopping mall parking talking on the phone distracted by their surroundings - the shopping mall parking lot is the worst place to be distracted.
BTW, my IPod touch was shipped directly from Singapore, the only American involved was the Fed Ex delivery guy. God bless Apple concern for the USA economy!
Kant Saye (Sent Oct 19, 2007 6:49:15 AM)
iPhone users have to go it alone. AT&T and Apple offer no insurance for the product. So I had to call my business insurance agent and decrease my deductable from $500 to $250 eariler this week. If I would have known that they did not insure this phone I would have thought twice about this purchase.
Mike Henry (Sent Oct 19, 2007 7:26:56 AM)
you can also laser etch your name (or other identifying mark) on the product to thwart device fencers that try to resell.
It costs about $10 for a cell phone/ipod.
Any trophy/awards shop can do this for you.
jiarby - Arizona (Sent Oct 19, 2007 7:39:35 AM)
Bob, I love you, but you really need to find something relevant to write about... stolen iPods? REALLY!
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 8:10:42 AM)
If Apple can initiate a firmware update to wipe out third party software on its new IPhone, why can't they come up with a solution for theft? By neglecting this problem is Apple contributing to it? Why would it be in Apple's best interest to stop the theft? Mor money, mor money, mor money...
Michael, Birmingham, AL (Sent Oct 19, 2007 8:31:28 AM)
I'd like to see a deeper study into the relationship between property crime and our economy. Are there any socio-economic benefits? Does property crime boost consumer spending? Does it put pricey items into the hands of those who otherwise could not afford them?
Nick Northcott (Sent Oct 19, 2007 8:31:42 AM)
Not to worry. Eventually everything will be wireless and people will be able to have bluetooth phone, mp3, internet, latte machines implanted in their heads with no external wires giving away their gadgets. Of course beheadings may become a problem then.
J Sturgis (Sent Oct 19, 2007 8:37:00 AM)
Why would the companies help with the theft situation. They are making more money off of it then anyone, even the thieves! Most people who have a device stolen will turn around and buy a new one, thus giving the companies more money! Here again this is a case of people need to take their own steps to protect themselves. These companies are like the goverment, and we all saw how well they helped during Katrina! People have to stop depending on others for their own protection, help or what ever. As my mother always told me, if you want it done right, do it yourself!
Vicki, St. Louis, MO (Sent Oct 19, 2007 8:42:50 AM)
The sellers of these gadgets should place a notice of possible theft for these items in with the customers purchases in order to bring awareness of how vulnerable these gadget are to theft. That is a good thing and we all must reach out to help others.
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 8:52:15 AM)
Had these users been using my Enhanced FRID chips (ERFIDS), as soon as the owner's ERFID sync'd to the thief's ERFID, the GPS location would be sent to law enforcement.
Logan 5 Scott, Cleveland, OH [IntelliSoft Enterprises] (Sent Oct 19, 2007 8:58:40 AM)
A common sense solution to a lot of this, and I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned in the article, is DON'T ADVERTISE THAT YOU HAVE THIS STUFF! If it's in your car, take it out. If you have an IPod, get different headphones and wear the thing where it can't be grabbed all that easy. Don't leave your cell phone out where it can be snatched. Use common sense, folks. If you want to keep it, protect it. If you walk around flashing this stuff and using it every waking hour, someone's going to make you a target. Times have changed; Change with them.
Brent, Portsmouth, OH (Sent Oct 19, 2007 9:06:02 AM)
Actually Apple is working on such technology if you took a little more time to do some research you would be aware of this. The technology would not only apply to iPods, but laptops also. If I recall correctly, they've even applied for a patent for such technology. Stick to what you're good at, online crime and identity theft as your little title suggests. It is annoying when someone proclaims themself to be an expert, when they don't even take time to fully research what they write about this day and age.
I'll help you out with your research, start by going to macrumors.com and search for the technology you say Apple isn't even working on based upon your lacking article. I'm not going to provide you with the direct link, since it's your job as a journalist to do the due diligence.
Chris, Washington D.C. (Sent Oct 19, 2007 9:14:38 AM)
Why would Apple want to help victims of theft recover their ipod? If the victims were able to recover their stolen ipod they wouldn't have to buy another. This would cut into Apples sales of ipods.The other discusting fact about the ipod is the lack of warrenty and ability to be repaired when it malfunctions less than a year after purchase. For these and other resons I would NEVER buy an iphone. Apple you SUCK!
Richard Abts, Norwich,CT (Sent Oct 19, 2007 9:17:48 AM)
Cell phones are an easy target especially for verizon accounts. All you have to do is go online and activate any used phone for free and the company does not ask questions.
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 9:23:24 AM)
While I found the article interesting I was taken about about the reference to Paramus, NEW JERSEY! as a suburb of New York City. Let's not add on to the more confusion onto a nation that is already geography challenged.
Dina Rodrigues, Kearny, NEW JERSEY (Sent Oct 19, 2007 9:45:20 AM)
of course the manufacturers arent going to add the antitheft protection because they will not sell as many ipods.
ray, belleville, il (Sent Oct 19, 2007 9:54:19 AM)
What kind of idiot "zones out" on the New York subway?
Anonymous, USA (Sent Oct 19, 2007 9:56:51 AM)
The police should set up stings with exploding Ipods.
After a few lost privates the thieves will think twice.
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 9:59:48 AM)
People seriously need to stop stealing Sh!t its ridiculous and if you have no damn money, and you have no pot to piss in do something about it, dont muche off of people, and go around stealing from other people. Would you like it if took you 2 months to save up for an ipod then get it stolen by some idiot, NO!
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 10:00:28 AM)
What's missing from this gadget crime report is the fact that the manufacturers sell these gadgets at $150 plus and they break just after the warrentee is up!
Gary Busardo (Sent Oct 19, 2007 10:00:56 AM)
Oh please, who would we be kidding in believeing that manufacturers will ever do anything. Just like the article said, if it's stolen you will more than likely buy a new one. There is absolutely no incentive for them to add any kind of security into their products. We can either come up with a third party security software or tape our ipods with duct tape to some part of out body.
Rico, Albuquerque, NM (Sent Oct 19, 2007 10:01:26 AM)
Does anyone know whether this is a legit site/service or just an elaborate phishing front:
http://personalpropertyregistry.com/
It claims to be a no cost service from a community watch not-for-profit. Is it viable
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 10:01:49 AM)
So, instead of society standing up and changing people to stop all the thefts and crimes, it's up to makers to do it? You, I'm sure, also agree that the car makers need to make cars safer, and cities to make streets safer, instead of making the driver safer? Right? So, in it's most basic form, you believe that person is not at fault. When will people wake up, and take responsibility for their own actions.
Toma Allen, Tampa Fl (Sent Oct 19, 2007 10:10:53 AM)
1st!!
Ace, Dayton, OH (Sent Oct 19, 2007 10:19:28 AM)
The producer of the product should provide the sucurity tracking device or at least the option for including tracking. It could be provided at a reasonable cost and would not only be an asset to the comsumer but a bonus sales point for the producer for reducing crime.
Samuel T. Allred (Sent Oct 19, 2007 10:24:06 AM)
Good article!
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 10:24:16 AM)
The producer of the product should provide a sucurity tracking device or at least the option for including tracking. It could be provided at a reasonable cost and would not only be an asset to the comsumer but a bonus sales point for the producer for reducing crime.
Samuel T. Allred (Sent Oct 19, 2007 10:25:37 AM)
Even in Europe- My daughter was mugged and her Ipod taken in Rome, Italy they grabbed her pocket book while she was waiting for a Train.
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 10:31:58 AM)
Insure privacy: do not input sensitive personal information on anything hackable. Put that info on an encrypted thumb drive which you can plug into the USB port of your device, be it cell phone or whatever. If your device is stolen, it has nothing that could hurt you on it. Carry the thumb drive on your keychain with your car keys.
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 10:38:18 AM)
the solution, mass produce the ipod & that would lower the cost it's been too expensive too long other gadgets prices keep dropping y not ipod?
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 10:40:26 AM)
2002 is calling, they want their story back.
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 10:43:29 AM)
It's ridiculous to blame the device manufacturers! As an iPod and cell phone user, I must take responsibility for being alert enough to protect myself and my devices from theft. Walking around in a zone while listening to music is not only stupid, it is inviting disaster!
Sue, Toledo, Ohio (Sent Oct 19, 2007 10:48:40 AM)
My children have had four ipods stolen in the past two years. Guess what Apple, we aren't buying any more of your products, because of your malaise. We live in podunk Ohio. This is hardly an urban problem.
Wally Burden, Chillicothe, OH (Sent Oct 19, 2007 10:53:28 AM)
The iThieves need an iButt-Whuppin'. The iButt-Whuppin' was just marked down $200 so that everyone can put one in somebody's stocking this holiday season. I personally have picked up three of the iButt-Whuppin' and will probably auction one on eBay this weekend.
iUsers, strap your iPods on to your person and kick the iThief in their iN#t$ and then iTail (hightail) it out of there.
Politixx, Chicago, IL (Sent Oct 19, 2007 10:54:04 AM)
User's of iPods should be using there padlock software in there iPod.
Jesse, Montrose, CA (Sent Oct 19, 2007 10:55:16 AM)
I see that you did not use my comments. They were not abusive but were not pro Apple eather. So you must be censoring comments you don't like.
Richard Abts, Norwich,CT (Sent Oct 19, 2007 10:57:06 AM)
Someone who buys a stolen iPod is one less customer for Apple.
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 11:08:56 AM)
Duh... Manufacturers won't step in because they know that eople who would steal devices won't buy them but the people who have them stolen will replace them. Another example of the repercussions of gun control. Who would jack your ipod if they knew there was a good chance you were packing a nasty little 9mm surprise.
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 11:11:09 AM)
I found this article very informative. I am a tech junkie having tousands of dollars of high tech items, and knowing what is going on is a plus.
Thank you, very informative
Jburton M.V. Ca (Sent Oct 19, 2007 11:14:25 AM)
Can you report a profile on Offenders? For some reason we are never given the protection of knowing who to look out for.
J. LONG (Sent Oct 19, 2007 11:14:42 AM)
here's how stop the crackheads who into our cars in the first place. add poison to their crack (i mean its already poison if you think about) but i'm talking about strychnine or arsnic. that way once they get high (if they last that long) they wont be breaking into cars, let alone have a pulse. sounds like a novel idea to me. gets to the root of the problem. dealers wouldn't like it because a dead client isn't good for business. hell we should poison them as well.
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 11:21:36 AM)
I agree that gadget developers should include tracking software that is easy enough for the average person to use. It would not only help if your gadget is stolen but even if you lost it. I dont know how many time I could not find my phone. It doesn't help to just call it if you can't heat it. There are those people who find someone elses property and don't try to find the owner. It happens alot with cell phones. My niece found a phone at the mall and kept it. She aedmited to seeing the kid who evidently owned it looking in the area he was in saying he lost his phone and she did not return it. Parents should also be more aware of their kids when they suddenly aquire a new gadget, especially if they do not work!
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 11:31:00 AM)
I'm not sure if Bob is suggesting Apple is partially to blame? If that is the suggestion, should they have made the iPod bigger and bulkier? It's not like this wasn't easy to see coming.
When I lived in NY over 10 years ago, people were leaving the glove compartments open, and not activating the locking mechanism for the trunk release in their car--otherwise thieves would destroy the lever and lock to open the glove box and trunk, only to find out there was nothing there.
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 11:35:06 AM)
solution, carry a weapon. Have it in your hand in your pocket if your listening to your ipod.
Justin Kase, Memphis tn (Sent Oct 19, 2007 11:38:45 AM)
Fingerprint ID ports that must be activated for a device to work longer than five minutes would take care of this problem. With this kind of cheap marketable enhancement, criminals would quickly learn that there is no point in stealing gadgets that have a visible fingerprint ID port.
How this enhancement would work is the device when turned on would simply turn back off if the owner or authorized users fail to provide a matching fingerprint, or if when new, the owner fails to initialize the fingerprint database (ie, required usage).
There are, however, questions as to the security of fingerprint ID devices; for example, it was proven by experiments in Japan a few years ago that a gummy-bear was a perfect lock pick.
Matt Staben (Sent Oct 19, 2007 11:40:23 AM)
My 2 sons were targets of iPod thefts in their Middle School. In April 2007 a 13 year-old student stole a teacher's master locker key & stole both of their iPod Video's and a cell phone which were locked up in their lockers and in their bookbags. Fortunately, kids of that age talk & it was determined who was responsible and that 3 students were involved. The cell phone was recovered but the iPods are long gone. The school system pressed charges against 2 of the students. A $250 value is a charge of grand larceny. We have received restitution for one iPod but not the other. One student was sent away to a detention home for an undetermined amount of time and will not be allowed to return to the school system (obviously he already had issues with the court systems.) One student NOW has a criminal record and the 3rd was reprimanded by his parents & the school. Should electronics be allowed in the schools? Probably not, but at this time electronics have not been banned from school property. If they're not on the property then they can't be a temptation to others, but is that really the point? Theft is wrong regardless of how or where it happens! Let's deal with the real issue of teaching people how to RESPECT ONE ANOTHER and themselves. It starts at home, at birth! People shouldn't be victims just because we have the privilege of owning certain items.
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 11:48:40 AM)
iPods don't steal iPods;Thieves steal iPods.
"Apple hasn't made any motions toward such a process."
It seems they are working on it...
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/05/16/
apple_patent_clears_road_for_theft_proof_iphones_macs.html
Should Apple also be responsible if someone drops their iPod in the water? That's just another iPod sale for Apple...What about my bike? Should Schwinn do something?
Apple is to be blamed because they make products of value that are popular? I guess, that's why it's not called a Zune crime wave..or maybe it's because of the "MS" in MSNBC.
Ron Bishop, Olathe, Kansas (Sent Oct 19, 2007 11:54:43 AM)
As for iPods, Apple could do one simple thing to help reduce iPod thefts, make it so that a stolen iPod can't sync with iTunes. Each iPod has a unique serial number, when you hook up with iTunes, it knows who that serial number is registered to. Apple could very easily develop a system, so that if my iPod is stolen, and I report it to them, they should be able to lock down anyone from being able to sync that iPod through iTunes. Furthermore, Apple could then narrow down it's location by the IP address of the person try to sync.
It wouldn't eliminate the problem, but it would reduce the problem by not making it worthwhile to have a stolen iPod.
Eric, Atlanta (Sent Oct 19, 2007 11:59:06 AM)
It's an interesting point brought up about manufacturer's not installing software to control this, but then think of the poor saps like me, who get an ipod or cell phone, or any other high tech device stolent. What's a poor sap like me to do? I'll just have to go buy another gadget & make these wealthy corporate Jobs, Gates, and even the big 5 from Wally world that much richer. Pitty the poor robber who's just helping the rich get richer. Now why would these big firms want to deny me the opportunity to make them richer?
Danny Owens, Muskogee, OK (Sent Oct 19, 2007 11:59:49 AM)
Apple should secretly put GPS chips in them
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 12:07:43 PM)
Here's an idea: keep an eye on the people that are keeping an eye on you. My wife and I grew up in a part of town where there is a high risk for that type of crime. I have always been amazed at the number of people who walk around parking decks with their head down, digging through a purse or lost in conversation on their phone. They never look around or even think about the target that they present to a potential thief. We now live in a "safer" part of town but we've never lost that wariness that we developed in our youth.
A. the reason hunters use treestands is because the deer never look up. Watch your surroundings.
b. no matter how cheap your watch(cell phone, i-pod, camera...) is there's always some idiot that will rob you for it. Don't let them see that overpriced gadget.
c. any given neighborhood is only as safe as you make it for yourself. There are still crimes committed in Beverly Hills. No one is immune.
Robin Mason, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Oct 19, 2007 12:08:27 PM)
This article really makes you think about what, if anything can be done to protect your investment in a hot gaget. Password protection is always a great idea, but it also becomes annoying to have to unlock your device every time you want to use it, not to mention time consuming. The experts also recommend changing your passwords on a regular basis to be safer. which can result in you forgetting your own password and not being able to use your own gagets. not to mention the fact that every time new technology comes out to help make your life easier, the bad guys always find a way to override those safeguards.It' a vicious cycle.
Anthony K. Newark, New Jersey (Sent Oct 19, 2007 12:08:34 PM)
Certain cell phone makers, especially Sanyo have special programs you can set up on your phone that if stolen will delete all information on the device. The service is free, in Sanyo's case at least, and comes standard on most devices. You just have to read your manual and set it up. If the phones stolen, you go to the website, put in the password you selected and the phone becomes a useless brick. Your data is wiped clean and the phone cannot be reused.
William Slegel, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Oct 19, 2007 12:10:39 PM)
Okay, to be sure this is a problem, but I am afraid I don't see how it's Apple's fault stupid, inattentive commuters are getting mugged for their e-toys. I can agree there's a legitimate beef with the cellular companies who refuse to use existing technology to instantly render a stolen phone unusable (because they'd lose all those bogus fees they charge the victim before they finally get around to turning off the service), but blaming Apple for iPod thefts is a little like blaming Honda for car thefts because the Civic is still the most-stolen car in the U.S...
Oh, and I'm curious to see how long it takes some Demmie to blame "W" for this.
Ann, Kansas City, MO (Sent Oct 19, 2007 12:13:18 PM)
iCrime that is so lame, I bet you felt real clever
John Doe, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Oct 19, 2007 12:25:04 PM)
My husband's XM Radio was stolen from his truck in the middle of the night. Before leaving for work @ 5:30 a.m. the following morning, he noticed the "void" of his missing radio. We had the police come by and we filed a report & I called XM to notify them (serial #s) that it was stolen. XM would not activate the stolen radio with that specific serial #, which would have alerted them that it had been stolen. Serial #s are certainly a good thing. Although the radio was not recovered, I replaced the XM (bought a new one) and XM Radio's customer service is by far the best I have ever dealt with. EVER.
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 12:30:16 PM)
I had my ipod stolen about four months ago and filed a report with the police.I went on the net to find a place to register my serial# and other info.I checked back three times and each time it said no record and to re-register.I gave up.I will never buy another ipod.Only a drop in sales will cause apple to take an interest.
mike glynn,citrus heights,ca (Sent Oct 19, 2007 12:31:51 PM)
i got my IPOD stolen what are you gonna do about this....maybe you should send us a statement on how all our taxes are being spent so we can see how much you are stealing from us......Then we can maybe figure out why taxes are so dam high and why people need to steal....maybe you should give tax breaks so people have money
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 12:32:00 PM)
How about this instead. PEOPLE NEED TO STOP STEALING! God forbid we promote that. Lets keep reminding people of the STOP SNITCHIN' campaign right? WRONG! Lets start a STOP STEALIN', START WORKIN' campaign instead. If these thugs tried working, they'd own the product, and not have to look over their shoulder. oooh... god forbid!
Kurtis Wagner, Bishop, CA (Sent Oct 19, 2007 12:42:56 PM)
Hey, keep those "gadgets" secure -- i.e. don't leave them in plain sight. The user MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for their possessions. Don't "make" others responsible for your stuff.
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 12:43:24 PM)
Some ten years ago I warned that if people keep a lot of useful information in their PDAs, pocket computers, intelligent phones, etc. etc. without getting backup copiew, it would be possible for some gangs to steal them and then hold them for ransom. I am sure by now it is being done.
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 12:43:55 PM)
Hey, keep those "gadgets" secure -- i.e. don't leave them in plain sight. The user MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for their possessions. Don't "make" others responsible for your stuff.
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 12:44:00 PM)
Why make it easier to find these devices? Come on folks, follow the money. You WILL buy a new piece of electronic crack.
Sean Kramer (Sent Oct 19, 2007 1:08:34 PM)
You make a great point that there is a disincentive for the mfg of the device to theft-proof the item. This is a lot like my other suspicion, that software companies are somehow behind hackers and virus writers, because they keep them in business selling the anti-spam and virus software! Am I paranoid? maybe.....
EM, Small town WI (Sent Oct 19, 2007 1:23:00 PM)
And the frustrating part is Apple could disable the stolen Ipods next time they are connected for an update or to the online store. But they don't give a damn. My son's lasted 2 months before being stolen.
Leo, Hinsdale, IL (Sent Oct 19, 2007 1:34:12 PM)
I'm glad that someone has finally published an article about IPOD crimes. Just recently in Cincinnati, OH someone sold me a fake IPOD for $60. They also had fake camcorders as well. It was four young African American men with Mississippi plates. Please spread the word!
Lakiesha Cincinnati, OH (Sent Oct 19, 2007 1:35:05 PM)
You have it all wrong, you biased twit. Blaming Apple for not doing more to prevent re-use of registered items is not Apple's fault. You need to blame anti-gun legislators who pass too many complicated laws that intimidate would-be victims from arming themselves so they can blow the knees off any iPod snatching perp when they make their move. If you arm the citizens, crime rates will plummit because the "crackheads" will be terrified of committing any crimes at all.
Boone, LA, CA (Sent Oct 19, 2007 1:37:02 PM)
You can also encrypt personal info stored on such devices. Encryption will prevent someone from gleaning information by making a low-level read of the disk or storage device within the unit.
Alex Seattle, Wash. (Sent Oct 19, 2007 2:09:41 PM)
The other thing that gets me is why would people put on there window the apple sticker that comes with your ipod. It just screams break in my car, because I have an ipod.
Dale, Orlando, FL (Sent Oct 19, 2007 2:11:17 PM)
Why doesn't Apple care if your IPod is stolen? Simple, as stated in the article, then you have to buy another one. Not only that but now an additional person (the thief or the person who bought your IPod from said thief) is going to be a new ITunes customer which could potentially be more profitable for Apple than even the repurchase of the device. Stolen IPods are a gold mine for Apple.
JP, Naperville, IL (Sent Oct 19, 2007 2:13:15 PM)
Regarding jiarby's message: If you order your iPod directly from the Apple store (www.apple.com) engraving is FREE! Shipping is free, as well, so those of you considering purchasing an iPod...I would strongly suggest you do this as opposed to purchasing at a retail store.
B, Barnesville MN (Sent Oct 19, 2007 2:14:46 PM)
i don't like apple i like pear
herve laurent (Sent Oct 19, 2007 2:21:51 PM)
Give people easy ways to make money, stop inflation, get the message out, drugs don't hurt, drugs kill?
(Sent Oct 19, 2007 2:24:34 PM)
It is also a good idea to encrypt the private information that you store on these devices. This prevents someone from gleaning that information by doing a low-level read on the device. Even with a password someone can remove the storage disk and perform a low-level read. Encrpyting your info prevents it from being stored as just plaintext.
Alex, Seattle, WA (Sent Oct 19, 2007 2:24:36 PM)
I just had my iPhone stolen from me in a bank nonetheless. I placed it next to me while writing out a deposit slip and was talking to someone. Appararently it was grabbed off the table while I was talking. I got the license plate of the person that took the phone and called the police who came down and filled out a report. I haven't heard anything yet, but hopefully they catch the person on tape (who is stupid enough to steal something in a bank with all the cameras on them?). Anyway my iPhone became a paperweight within a half an hour and cannot be used even if it is sold to someone else. Apparently Apple keeps a database of stolen iPhones (I reported mine) and it cannot be activated through iTunes when listed in this database, at least that is what I was told. Keep your iPhone on you at all times, I will now...
Eddie, White Plains, NY (Sent Oct 22, 2007 1:20:34 AM)
Kant Saye wrote:
Bank Robberies also increased. Overall, crime, terrorism, outsourcing and illegal immigration have increased under Republican leadership.
Dis Guy wrote:
Yes, crime has been re-introduced to America thanks to Republican leadership. You're a friggin' moron. Who do you think is doing the stealing? Liberal democrats.
(Sent Oct 22, 2007 5:23:05 PM)
Why do we ask Apple or car manufacturers to make their products safer for those that use them? Simple because we know that education does not work and faith in our fellow man is misplaced. So you have two options: Get the item to have security on it, or do not have the item at all. Now who out there wants to not have their Ipod or worse their car? Sure Apple has little incentive right this second to put extensive security in their products. So demand it. If you want security and are willing to pay for it there will be a supply.
And do not look to the police to go looking for the anonymous person that stole your gadget. To them the chances are so slim of finding the culprit they won't even go through the motions of looking. And that is not a slam on the police. They have enough crimes to handle that they have a reasonable chance of apprehending the culprit why add to the work load?
So the answer is you do infact need a good method of not just not losing an item, but to have it enable the police to find it and the person that stole it in the first place. Then the police will look for and catch the culprit. That is when you will see thefts go down. Right now it is too easy to steal and sell those gadgets with little risk.
Dave, Lumberton, NJ (Sent Oct 22, 2007 5:42:24 PM)
For every sale Apple or Garmin makes on a replacement iPod or GPS, they lose one to the guy who stole one, since the thief would have had to buy one had security measures made stolen devices unusable. Hard to see how Apple or anyone other gadget manufacturer benefits from this.
(Sent Oct 22, 2007 7:12:14 PM)
Bob, this must be a slow month for you, because I know I read a similar article about 3 years ago! Otherwise, I'm a big fan of this site.
(Sent Oct 23, 2007 8:34:19 AM)
Give me a break with the middle school ipod theft and wah wah electronics weren’t banned at the time. I was in middle school 10 years ago, and our GIGA PETS were banned. Then when I was in high school, cell phones were banned as well. How can you be naïve enough to think a music player would be allowed at school? Did you bring your record player to school to listen to in class?
Don’t buy your irresponsible 12 year old a $250 music player and you won’t have 4 of them stolen at school.
(Sent Oct 23, 2007 10:28:25 AM)
i just had my ipod stolen from me on the subway 2 weeks ago. someone then sent me the link to this article. luckily, i got it back but what a nightmare!
(Sent Oct 23, 2007 11:31:54 AM)
I would love to see an article on how the MS Zune is causing a crime wave. I doubt it will happen since this is M$nbc.
The fact is these are devices that contain information, and people want to steal your information from you. No need for branding. This site is pretty bias on electronics e.g. halo3 omfg its the best lets write 5 articles on how its so f'ing awesome.
msnbc sucks (Sent Oct 23, 2007 3:09:13 PM)
Just recently in Cincinnati, OH someone sold me a fake IPOD for $60. They also had fake camcorders as well. It was four young African American men with Mississippi plates. Please spread the word!
Lakiesha Cincinnati, OH (Sent Oct 19, 2007 1:35:05 PM)
LAKIESHA,
My dear you and anyone else who would buy anything from someone from the back of their car trunk should know the item is either stolen or a fake. You deserved to get taken. What were you thinking...an Ipod for $60 bucks. Folks like you need to stop buying stolen property, then thieves would have a hard time off-loading their ill-gotten gain.
Sick and Disgusted, Anywhere USA (Sent Oct 23, 2007 5:23:53 PM)
If you are dumb enough to buy an ipod, then you deserve to have it stolen because you are obviously trendy and don't see the absurdity of spending that kind of money on a simple memory chip with a fancy cover. It disgusts me how well Apple has seduced America into thinking that they are somehow cool and modern because they own such a small crappy device. I propose a strike on buying any such devices until they not only lower the prices, but also invest in some sort of security protection. Perhaps Americans will begin to protest and enact change, sadly, only over superficial, materialistic concerns. Healthcare, taxes, war, and domestic matters don't seem to move them.
Smarty, Seattle, WA (Sent Oct 23, 2007 6:09:36 PM)
My son had his iPod mini stolen and it was his own damn fault. He takes it to school, shows it to anyone and everyone, goes to gym class and just leaves it in his gym sack 100% unattended in the locker room. I told him doing this would get it lifted but he refused to believe his friends/schoolmates would ever do such a thing. Ahh to be so naive again!
Michael, Monroe, Washington (Sent Oct 23, 2007 6:51:02 PM)
I'm sorry but this isn't breaking news. Your IPOD got stolen? That's unfortunate but this is like the Nancy Grace Screach hour. Crime has always been a major problem in America, it was just as bad back in the good old days as it is today. Yes, much of the small stuff never gets reported since the police won't waste their time with someone who had their mp3 player stolen. I don't like that fact but that's reality. Consider that when you buy this stuff.
(Sent Oct 30, 2007 1:42:30 PM)
I had my Ipod encrypted with my name and rank, I got all my data backup plus I already contacted the companies to delete all my information if I ever call them and If somebody tried to snatch it from me or my other gadgets I think I'm more than capable of dealing with the situation but If they get what they are looking for I can always track them down with the GPS chip, that's going to be a nasty surprise if they see the cops on their door
Some Lieutenant, Miami Beach, FL (Sent Nov 7, 2007 3:51:03 PM)
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