There's a warning to anyone who keeps their bank cards or ID in their phone case, as more of us ditch purses and wallets.

Since the beginning of 2024, cases of phone theft have risen by 150%, with an estimated 78,000 Brits becoming victims of the crime as their belongings are snatched from them on the street.

The panic has even reached TikTok with many videos detailing stories where users have had their phones stolen in broad daylight. 

One video posted by @travelsbytash, retells her experience of theft when her phone was stolen in central London. The video, which currently has over 1512 comments, details how easy it was for thieves to grab the phone as it was “snatched out of her hand on the tube”. 

Watch on TikTok

Viewers flocked to the comments to share their experiences of phone theft, with one explaining, “Same thing happened to me on the Piccadilly line at Green Park station he came behind me and tried to take my phone…” while another said, “This happened to me … exactly the same.. sat where [you] sat.. snatched from my hand on the central line.. I was shocked!! I felt I was listening to my own story word for word..”. 

Experts reveal why you shouldn't keep your ID in your phone case 

Getting your phone stolen can be stressful and annoying, especially when you are on the move. But it is especially stressful if you also lose any extra items that may be carried in your phone’s case. 

Experts at Compare and Recycle say:  “Many popular case designs include areas where you can hold other important items such as credit cards and identification cards in the back of your phone for easy access. While these are a great way to keep your belongings close, they can also cause unnecessary problems if you are a victim of theft. 

“If your phone is stolen, having personal items within your phone means that you are not only losing your device but also at risk of being a victim of identity theft and financial fraud as thieves use your ID and credit cards for their own gain. While both of these items can be ‘frozen’ to avoid use, this is often not immediate, giving thieves the chance to use them. 

Recommended Reading:

“For this reason, we recommend not holding your ID, credit card, and phone together in the same case to reduce the chances of multiple items being stolen.”

How to keep your phone and cards safer on the move

1. Keep your phone in a secure pocket or bag

When frequenting busy areas such as city centres or large events, it is recommended that users keep their devices in a secure pocket or bag, preferably with a zip closure, to reduce the risk of theft. 

Phone accessories such as wrist straps and lanyards can also help keep your phone safe when in use as they limit a thief's ability to take the device as they are attached to your person. 

2. Update your security features 

To help keep your personal details safe, take full advantage of the security features built within your phone to limit the chance of identity theft or fraud if you are a victim of theft.

Strong passwords and two-factor authentication are just some of the ways that you can protect your details. Other software, such as “Find My” apps, can help track your device in the event of theft. 

3. Report any theft immediately 

If you are the victim of theft, report it to the police immediately. The quicker a crime of this nature is reported, the higher the chance of recovery of the stolen items, so acting fast could result in your device being recovered.

If your tech is unfortunately unretrievable, a police incident report is often needed for insurance purposes, so make sure you keep all documentation for future use, and notifying your network provider will ensure your phone is blacklisted which will limit the thief's options. 

The move to digital identification cards 

This issue has recently become a point of national conversation as the UK Government has recently announced that Identification Cards could be made available via the secure government app by the end of the year. This would eliminate the need for UK citizens to carry physical cards. 

Experts at Compare and Recycle explain: “This move by the UK Government could go a way in preventing cases of ID theft as criminals will not only need to access the victim's phone but also know their login details to the Government app to access their personal information. 

“These extra steps could deter opportunistic criminals which could help keep victim's identities safe.”