The Lookout Blog

Not-So-Smart Smartphones: Common Cell Phone Slip-Ups

According to a recent wireless industry survey, 91% of all Americans carry a cell phone. That’s over 285 million mobile subscribers. And, while there’s no denying that the phones have gotten better and the technological advances make life easier, there are still plenty of things that can go wrong. Some of it’s due to simple user error, some of it is unavoidable, and some of it is the result of amazing stupidity. However, regardless of the cause, here are a few of the many common (and not so common) Smartphone slip-ups.

It’s Your Loss: Cell Phones Vanish in the Strangest Places

As of 2007, over 30% of cell phones were reported lost on an annual basis. If this stat holds true today—and, honestly, is there any reason to think people have gotten less careless?—that equates to approximately 85 million cell phones reported missing in the U.S. alone. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Americans aren’t the only ones being careless. A survey in the U.K. estimated that 810,000 phones are mistakenly left in pubs, 315,000 get abandoned in taxicabs, and 225,000 forgotten on the bus . And, to top it off, an impressive 58,500 handsets were clawed, mauled, or slobbered on by pet dogs. With stats like these it seems like just knowing where your phone is and keeping it functional is practically a full-time job.

Don’t Flush That: How Do You Drop a Phone in the Toilet?

Losing a cell phone is kind of embarrassing, but dropping it in the toilet is way worse. It might seem a bit farfetched, but the threat is all too real. An astounding 885,000 people lose their phones to a watery (or worse) grave each year. Additionally, another 116,000 are done in by the spin cycle; accidentally tossing their phone in with the dirty laundry. On the upside, at least the ones in the laundry are coming out clean.

Illogical Data Plans: Wait, Text Messages Aren’t Data?

With the vast majority of phones now offering varying degrees of internet connectivity, it’s not  just a matter of how many minutes you’re using, but also how much data. The majority of providers offer various plans ranging from the ludicrously priced pay per kilobyte (even just $0.01 / KB adds up quickly) to the seemingly fool proof“unlimited data” plans. Unfortunately, in a move that defies all logic, the data being transmitted through text messages is not considered part of most unlimited data plans. However, with Americans sending and receiving approximately 5 billion text messages per day, it’s not surprising that cell phone providers want to cut the data-usage pie in half and eat from both ends.

Old Fashioned User Error: Your Phone is Smart, Maybe You Aren’t

With the cell phone’s capacity to do more and more constantly increasing, the amount of damage you can do when operating it has been boosted exponentially. Everyone’s already heard horror stories of drunken texts, sexting gone wrong (really, how can it not?) and compromising photos that end up being shared with the wrong people. Just because your phone allows you to do something doesn’t mean you shouldn’t think about whether it’s really a good idea first. Oh, and texting while driving, probably not the best idea.

Safe, But Still Not Fool Proof: Spyware, Malware, and More

Although many cell phones operate on a closed system, smartphones can still be susceptible to spyware,viruses, and worms. With an increasing number of phones allowing easy access to workplace servers, various networks, and in some cases personal banking information, the incentive to install spyware is constantly rising. Because of the growing amount of sensitive data being stored on your phone, many cell phone providers are starting to recommend installing some type of third-party anti-virus software to help keep your phone protected.

Always Be Prepared: How to Protect Yourself if You Lose Your Phone

Despite your best efforts, there are still the occasional moments when you might make a mistake. After all, it’s not like most people leave their cell phone in a bar, taxi, or bus on purpose. So, in preparation for the possibility that you might eventually do something stupid, it’s a good idea to take the “better safe than sorry” approach and just prepare for the worst. Here are a few things you can do to eliminate headaches in the event you do happen to lose your cell phone.

1) Back up your phone on a regular basis. After all, the hardware is replaceable, but photos, contacts, and any additional information you’re storing on there might not be.

2) Write down your phone’s serial number (it will also most likely be available in your online account info through your cell phone provider), this number will be extremely helpful should your phone be lost or stolen.

3) Think about installing some sort of anti-theft software or application that can be used from a computer once the phone has disappeared. There are several applications available that allow you to remotely access your phone, do last minute backups, wipe data, or set off a loud alarm that might help you find it, or at least scare anyone who is trying to steal it.

4) If you fancy yourself particularly careless—or just plain clumsy—it might be worth considering purchasing the insurance plan through your cell phone provider. Many providers offer plans that will allow you to replace your phone at a highly reduced cost if you happen to lose it or even accidentally break it. Just be certain to read the terms and conditions first to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting.

Too Late, I Already Lost It: What to Do When Disaster Strikes

Losing your cell phone is a devastating feeling. You feel naked, hopeless, and so alone. You’re no longer connected to the world, and it’s hard to fathom where to even begin. Fortunately, there are a few quick solutions that will ensure you minimize any potential damage to your pocket book, even if your pride already took a bit of a beating.

1) Even if the phone is no longer in your possession, you are still responsible for any calls being made on that phone. The first thing you’ll want to do is contact your service provider and report the phone missing. There’s no point adding a $1,000 worth of long distance calls to the money you’ll already be shelling out for a replacement phone.

2) Once your service has been temporarily suspended, you typically have 30 days to reactivate it. This should be plenty of time to retrace your footsteps, hope for the best, and even if you can’t find it, ultimately just cave and go buy a new one.

3) If you perennially lose your phone, you should also consider installing an app that can help you find your phone if it is lost, by showing you where it is on a map. There are several free apps that can do this today so that the next time you lose your phone, you might actually be able to find it before resorting to the first two actions.

If you think your phone’s lost, it is probably safe to take the steps above. Bite the bullet and at least prevent yourself from footing the bill for someone’s out of country calls with long lost relatives. You’re not the only one to make a mistake, there’s another 84,999,999 people that are right there with you.