Patriot Nation Public Service Notice #1

A woman has changed her habit of how she lists her names on her mobile phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag, which contained her cell phone, credit card, wallet, etc…was stolen.

Twenty minutes later when she called her hubby, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says "I received your text asking about our Pin number and I replied a little while ago."

When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The thief had actually used the stolen cell phone to text "hubby" in the contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account.

Moral of the lesson: do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list. Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mom, etc.... and very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked through texts, CONFIRM by calling back. Also, when you're being text by friends or family to meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them. If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet "family and friends" who text you.


PLEASE PASS THIS ON. I never thought about THAT! As of right now, I no longer have "home" named on my cell phone.





Cinthia Pabon

Neighborhood Resource Officer

Crime Prevention & Community Relations Unit

Kissimmee Police Department

8 N Stewart Ave

Kissimmee, Florida 34741

(407)847-0176 ext. 3267

(321)624-9471 cell