According to a mobile security company, everybody loses their cell phone at least once a year. Now we know where.
Lookout Mobile Security recently released findings from a study regarding lost or stolen cell phones, and an astounding amount of money is lost every year when people misplace their mobile devices or are the victims of theft.
According to the Lockout study, approximately $30 billion will be lost this year when mobile users lose their cellphones.
With the advanced technology included in most smart phones these days, it should not be a shock to learn that each person may lose $250 a year replacing these tools.
Lockout also revealed the 10 cities where cell phone loss is most likely to occur.
Philadelphia topped that list with Seattle coming in second. Perhaps unsurprisingly, four cities that placed in the top 10 for highest crime rates — Cleveland, Detroit, Newark and Oakland — also placed on the list for cities home to the most cell phone losses.
So where exactly do these cell phone losses occur? Lockout provided the details, naming the 10 places you are most likely to lose your cell phone.
10. Park
You put your cell phone down to enjoy some recreation or to check on your kids at the playground.
Next thing you know someone has lifted your prized device or you simply cannot remember which bench you left it under.
9. Pharmacy Or Drug Store
Chances are your mind is a little scattered if you are at the pharmacy.
You place your phone down to locate your medical account info, grab your drugs and forget your phone.
8. Residential
Your home could be filled with clutter, from dirty laundry to your children’s toys.
If your phone is on silent or turned off, you may not be able to track it down.
7. Gas Station
Pumping with one hand, gas cap in the other, possibly a snack or refreshment on your mind. It’s easy to see why your cell phone may get lost in the shuffle.
6. Grocery Store
You put your purse on the baby seat of your shopping cart and turn your back to pick up some produce, leaving all your valuables, including your phone, vulnerable to theft.
5. Apartment Or Condo
Small space, sketchy neighbors, untrustworthy management…it can all be a recipe for disaster.
4. Restaurants
You put your phone on the table, walk out to pay your bill and forget the cell. Think it’ll be there when you come back? Probably not.
3. Office
A desk filled with papers, office equipment and an eight-hour workload — you’re forgiven if you get a little scatterbrained, but you may pay with a lost cell phone.
2. Bar
Similar to the restaurant scenario, only factor in alcohol. You leave it here one night and you probably won’t remember by the morning.
1. Coffee Shops
And the No. 1 place people lose their phones comes as no surprise. Coffee shops are a haven for people on the go.
Remembering your computer, your newspaper, your double mocha and your phone may not be feasible.
Additionally, with the heavy foot traffic of such locales, theft is a massive threat.
Leaving your phone even for a second to pick up your drink or use the restroom could result in saying so long to your mobile device, as a stranger with a wandering eye could easily swoop and scoop.
Lockout, the company behind the study, is headquartered in San Francisco and provides service to about 15 million users.
