| Cellular Phones |  |
| Cellular phones are susceptible to unique forms of fraud. As a result, the following guidelines are suggested for consumers who use cellular phones. |
General Protective Measures: |
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Immediately report a stolen phone to your cellular phone company. |
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Allow only reputable cellular service technicians to install or test your phone. If you need service, take your phone to an authorized distributor of your cellular phone company. |
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Apply caution when discussing transactions of a financial, personal or sensitive nature over the cellular phone. |
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Ask your cellular phone company to remove the capability to call overseas destinations and / or North American long distance destinations if you do not intend to call such destinations. |
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Protect your electronic serial number and mobile phone number as if they were your credit card numbers. Beware of persons calling you and asking for this information. Only your cellular phone company and that company's authorized agents have authorized access to these numbers. |
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Don't let anyone use your phone unless you are present. Offer to dial the number for them. Fraud criminals can easily access confidential codes stored in your cellular phone. |
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Protect sensitive documents such as your Cellular Subscriber Agreement. |
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Use of cellular phones in the car: |
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Do not leave your cellular phone in an unattended car in an isolated or questionable area or in a parking lot for an extended period of time. If the phone is left in an unattended car, ensure the car is locked and the phone is out of sight. |
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When you leave the vehicle with someone (i.e. a parking lot attendant or mechanic), lock the phone or remove the handset. Remove the cellular antenna to avoid drawing attention to your vehicle. |
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When you park the vehicle, replace the cigarette lighter if your cellular phone adapter uses the cigarette lighter socket. An empty cigarette lighter socket is a clue to thieves that you have a cellular phone. |
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Use a handsfree speakerphone whenever possible. Speakerphones not only permit safer driving - they also make the cellular phone less evident to criminals. |
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Report frequent receipt of 'wrong number' calls or hang ups on your cellular phone to your cellular phone company. These occurrences may indicate someone else is using your cellular number. |
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Check for unusual or unexpected calling activity on your monthly telephone bill. |
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If you suspect fraud, immediately contact your cellular phone company. |
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If you encounter fraud, cooperate with you cellular company regarding i) a change to your cellular telephone number to prevent further fraud, and ii) preparation of affidavits for fraud losses which have occurred on your cellular phone number (this helps your cellular phone company build a case against cellular fraud criminals once they have been apprehended). |
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Web site last updated November 17, 2000 - all rights reserved.