Pickpocketed in Macau
 

I took a day trip to Macau today and unfortunately had a bad experience... somewhere coming out of the ferry terminal to catch the Venetian shuttle bus, perhaps when I was a bit distracted looking at the map, someone opened my backpack's outer pocket and helped themselves to my iPhone 3G :( On the bus I found the zipper open and my phone GONE!

I tried reporting it to the ferry terminal police but they couldn't really do anything. I DO have autolock turned on so I believe the criminal cannot access my email and data and will be forced to restore the phone correct? I am led to believe that once 10 incorrect attempts the phone will permanently lock and require the PUK code.

I'm also very lucky that the SIM that was in the phone was a prepaid SIM I bought in India which is not really useful anymore.

Should I also report this to AT&T as well since it is an international incident? Also, I am looking at eBay for a replacement 8GB 3g and they are going for $300, holy shykes, I thought the 3g was quite obsolete by now... I am eligible to upgrade to a 4g with a new contract for $199 so I may just do that! geez!

The problem is that I am going to Ecuador for 6 months and had a really cool spanish language app on the phone arghh, this sucks! :( so depressed!

So sorry to hear about this unpleasant experience. It ruins one's holiday when these incidents happen. I've been to Macau several time with my backpack and fortunately this has not happened to me--yet. Be grateful that it was only your iPhone and not your wallet and/or passport. First of all, obtain a written report from the police. You may need this if you wish to file a claim. Check your homeowner's or renter's insurance to see if they will cover the lost. Also, check with your credit card to see if they will replace the cost of your phone. And if you're staying at The Venetian, talk to a concierge, doorman, bus driver, etc. Macau is small and a tight-knit community of guest workers. The Venetian has people working in the terminal and they may know someone who may be able to recover your phone.

I feel sorry for you and understand your plight. One suggestion I have is that going forward, lock your backpack. When I travel abroad, especially in developing countries, I use a small lock that binds together the zippers of the main pouch of my backpack.

And never leave small, valuable things in outer pockets.

I usually never do but this was the final 2 days of a long trip and I got a bit complacent and paid the price for it...unfortunately it was not such a nice end to an otherwise fantastic trip, but hopefully I will get over it soon enough. I guess I could look positively and realize at least I didn't lose my passport or wallet.

Yes, report it to AT&T, they will be sure the phone is disabled as well and may help with getting a replacement.

I've never really had any problems in Macau, but live for long enough, and you're bound to get pickpocketed somewhere. Consider this a relatively inexpensive lesson – it's just a phone, not anything truly important or difficult to replace.

I wouldn't really bother reporting it to AT&T, as the chances that anyone who stole your phone in Macau would ever attempt activating on AT&T are so slim that I wouldn't consider it worth the hassle. If you'd had your AT&T SIM in it, of course, you'd want to report it, but in this case...

As others have said, for future reference, don't carry valuables in unlocked outer pockets of backpacks.

And look at the bright side! You now have an excuse to upgrade to an iPhone 4! :D

I suggest not using a backpack at all..it means your valuables are out of your field of vision, and it makes you look like a tourist. If you MUST use one, at least keep your valuables like your wallet and phone infront of you..in your front pants pocket or in an inner coat pocket with a zipper.

Yep... I had it happen in Tampa a couple of weeks ago in the TSA line... It was a nice watch, but had a lesson learned... Always travel with a cheap watch and never put valuables in the outer pockets of a backpack (even for less than 10 minutes)

Travelers with back packs reading maps are an easy prey and is target of pickpockets worldwide. If you need to read map of do anything cumbersome always do it with your back against a wall.

Excellent point. When you are visiting an unfamiliar place, don't behave like a typical tourist! Standing at a busy intersection with your nose in a map/guide, or glancing around in bewilderment, is like wearing a sign that says: "I'm a tourist; I'm clueless; rob me!"

What you should do is always walk with purpose, as though you know EXACTLY where you are and where you are going (even if you really have no idea). Walk at approximately the same speed as everyone else...if it's NYC, it will be about 30 mph. ;) Then, quickly duck into a store or coffee shop or another protected place where you can pull out your map and reorient yourself in tranquility and safety. If no option exists for getting off the street, at least find a place where you can back into a corner and lean against a building, a little bit concealed from the street action and with your back protected.

The key is, on a busy streetcorner, don't be the poor shmuck standing around wide-eyed with a map, looking helpless. There's nothing pickpockets love more!

And one thing's for darn sure: don't put anything of value in a back pocket of anything! I wouldn't even do that in my home town!

US carriers don't blacklist IMEI's except when the phone was stolen from one of their stores.

Excellent advice. Especially about "ducking for cover" when you need to reorient. Look around just enough to be sure you find the very next place where you can "hide" and look at a map.

On my few international trips, I've used locks for my backpack, but tried to never use a backpack while "out and about" if possible. I also just maintain an attitude of "if I don't keep vigilant, I'm going to get ripped off".

On my last trip to Manila, I used Wikimapia to thoroughly familiarize myself with all our planned destinations. I was even able to give the local taxi drivers directions in a few situations (we were staying in a condo rental, not a hotel, very few drivers were familiar with the building). I also could tell when a driver wasn't being honest by taking a long and unnecessary route, etc. The biggest benefit: I never had to use a map in public. I might be better than average at remembering maps, but this should be helpful for anyone. Wikimapia has a lot more detail than Google Maps, especially in developing countries. Before you go out for the day, peruse your route, get familiar with the roads and buildings, etc, all from your hotel room.

Someone took a watch right off your wrist? :eek:

8 out of 10 times for about the past year, i have been asked (and seen the sec ask others) to take off watches in the sec line, both in the US and overseas. now i do it automatically, along with shoes and belt and jacket. i carry a little jewelry bag with me, and stuff it down in my briefcase, since my primary watch is a name brand that begins with 'R'. :p