General Discussion

Sen. Walter Sobchak

(8,692 posts)

33. In most instances change the SIM card and away you go

Sun Apr 6, 2014, 07:29 PM

Apr 2014

http://www.zdnet.com/smartphone-theft-reaches-pandemic-proportions-and-you-are-a-target-7000026397/

What's smaller than a slice of bread, worth hundreds of dollars, and carried by almost anyone? If you guessed "smartphone," you'd be right on the money. In fact, it's the relationship between money and smartphones that is causing the problem.

As we all know, smartphones are small, portable, jewel-like, and quite expensive. They are extremely portable and easily resold. These characteristics make them ideal targets for criminals, and those who carry smartphones ideal targets for robbers.

iPhones, for example, have become a form of hard currency. As BusinessWeek reports, an iPhone bought here in the US for $815 (with tax) is worth about $1,130 in Italy. That's a $315 profit on a legitimate purchase. Using numbers from the BusinessWeek story, unlocked iPhone 5S devices cost about $700 on average in the US and can be resold for $971 (in France) to $1,196 (in Brazil).

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A cashless economy leads to a safer society [View all] Nye Bevan Apr 2014 OP

A cashless economy empowers the big banks even more. House of Roberts Apr 2014 #1

Doesn't need to be strictly cash. Lucky Luciano Apr 2014 #7

The problem with a cashless economy is that it can get hacked Warpy Apr 2014 #2

People carry less cash, but more value Sen. Walter Sobchak Apr 2014 #3

The risk vs reward ratio needs to be changed seveneyes Apr 2014 #20

It's odd how a crime that as recently as the sixties could carry the death penalty Sen. Walter Sobchak Apr 2014 #35

Do smart phones have any value if they are stolen? delta17 Apr 2014 #28

In most instances change the SIM card and away you go Sen. Walter Sobchak Apr 2014 #33

Every single purchase can be tracked in a cashless society DJ13 Apr 2014 #4

As well as location, employment, history, and yes, medical. Skip Intro Apr 2014 #12

Its based on a 1% class-warrior's redefinition of "crime" cprise Apr 2014 #14

Post removed Post removed Apr 2014 #5

I'm worried about that too.... n/t Victor_c3 Apr 2014 #15

Bitcoin would be a panacea then, right? lumberjack_jeff Apr 2014 #6

No: bitcoin's supply is determined by algorithm rather than policy Recursion Apr 2014 #9

Given that it's a global currency - all governments would be subject to it. TampaAnimusVortex Apr 2014 #21

Then the entire world becomes the Eurozone Recursion Apr 2014 #23

Yes, generally freedom/anonymity and security can be traded for one another... (nt) Recursion Apr 2014 #8

+1 nt lumberjack_jeff Apr 2014 #10

Talk about total control. n/t Skip Intro Apr 2014 #11

It has been my observation that those SheilaT Apr 2014 #13

I often use my debit card, but I keep close track of what I'm spending. Louisiana1976 Apr 2014 #29

At 40 bucks a pop for overdrafts... SomethingFishy Apr 2014 #30

Once someone has been badly burned by the overdraft charges SheilaT Apr 2014 #31

And a cash economy is an anonymous economy, which is why Big Brother hates cash. bemildred Apr 2014 #16

"Criminals’ need for cash motivates much predatory street crime." Indeed----WALL STREET. WinkyDink Apr 2014 #17

how would politicians hide their bribes? hobbit709 Apr 2014 #18

Oh NOES! 99Forever Apr 2014 #19

They actually were protected. former9thward Apr 2014 #34

What happens when your cash is stolen? NYC Liberal Apr 2014 #36

MPesa in Kenya has changed everything... you carry your cash through a phone connected wallet JCMach1 Apr 2014 #22

My wife's grandparents lived through the depression. She was raised with the belief of not trusting diabeticman Apr 2014 #27

In Kenya, you would just MPESA (like a text message) the payment to the company JCMach1 Apr 2014 #38

less privacy Liberal_in_LA Apr 2014 #24

Crime aside... pipi_k Apr 2014 #25

We need to get all the cash in a pile and burn it! zappaman Apr 2014 #26

I never carry cash. I have $1 in my wallet. RebelOne Apr 2014 #32

I very, very rarely use cash. NYC Liberal Apr 2014 #37