News 2004
Virgin Mobile drives Christmas Mobile Phone Safety Campaign
13/12/2004
13.12.04: Virgin Mobile is heading up a Christmas Mobile Phone Safety Campaign for the second year running. Called ‘In Safe Hands’, the initiative aims to help the public protect both themselves and their mobile phone during the festive season.
Backed by the Home Office, ‘In Safe Hands’ gives important advice on a series of mobile-related safety tips and general advice for mobile phone users over the festive season. The common-sense tips to keep mobile users safe this Christmas are as follows:
- Pre-programme the number of a reputable taxi firm into your phone. When travelling home after a Christmas party, order a taxi from inside the venue and ensure that it calls you when it arrives, so that you do not have to wait for it alone.
- Use a licensed black cab or a reputable taxi firm. Do not take an unregistered minicab and do not accept a lift home from a stranger.
- Text the registration number of the taxi and the taxi company’s name to a housemate/partner/friend before you get in the taxi.
- Try to make sure someone knows where you have gone and when to expect you home. If you don’t want to let anyone know where you are going to be, you can use Safetytext to alert people should you not return at a prearranged time. Safetytext is a service that allows you to programme your phone to send a text message with details of where you are in the event that you don’t return home when you planned to. For further details please visit www.safetytext.com.
- To help reduce the risk of having your phone snatched, try not to make non-urgent calls in crowded, busy places. Be particularly careful about using your phone at street crime hotspots such as tube, bus or train stations.
- Whenever possible, keep your mobile out of sight in your pocket, jacket or bag and use a hands-free earpiece to help prevent opportunist thieves snatching it from your hand.
- Don’t leave your phone on tables in pubs or restaurants.
- Register your phone with your operator, and make a note of your IMEI number (which can be found by keying in *#06#). If your phone is lost or stolen, both the SIM card and handset can be barred across all networks. To find out how to do this simply call 08701 123 123.
- Always make sure your phone is charged before you go out so you can make a call; you might need it in an emergency. It is free to make a 999 call from a mobile phone.
- Don’t use your phone while driving, but instead let your voicemail take any messages while on the road. Voicemail is free with Virgin Mobile.
Hazel Blears, Home Office Minister, said: "Robbery has fallen significantly since the start of the Street Crime Initiative, meaning thousands fewer victims. Reducing mobile phone theft is one of our top priorities, and we are working hard with police and industry to tackle it and mobile phone users can do their bit by paying attention to Virgin Mobile's campaign which will help all their customers to avoid becoming victims of crime.
"By following these practical, common-sense tips such as pre-booking taxis and always registering your phone with the operator in case it is stolen, Virgin Mobile customers can help protect themselves from crime.”
Steven Day, corporate affairs director at Virgin Mobile, said: “Revellers over the Christmas period can be vulnerable targets for criminals if they are not vigilant about their safety and their belongings. Women in particular may be at risk, especially when travelling alone. Virgin Mobile has worked closely with the Home Office to provide simple tips and advice for the public to ensure they minimise the risk of being victims of crime this Christmas.”
For further information please contact:
Virgin Mobile:
Press office on 0845 600 6272, pressoffice@virginmobile.com
Alison Bonny – 07802 430276, Alison.bonny@virginmobile.com
Joanne Baker – 07941 233300, Joanne.baker@virginmobile.com
Notes to editors:
About Virgin Mobile:
Virgin Mobile Holdings (UK) plc, the UK's largest mobile virtual network operator, is majority owned by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and uses T-Mobile's network. Since its launch in November 1999, Virgin Mobile has attracted more than 4.6 million customers.
In the UK, Virgin Mobile phones are available direct on 0845 6000 600; on the web at www.virginmobile.com or on the High Street at approximately 5,000 outlets including Virgin Mobile Specialist Stores, Virgin Megastores, Sainsbury, Tesco, Safeway, Asda, John Lewis, Littlewoods, Argos, The Link, Dixons, Carphone Warehouse, Curry's, Comet, Phones 4 U, TOMO, Woolworths, Toys R Us and Rymans.
Virgin Mobile employs approximately 1,400 staff at three sites, Trowbridge, London and Daventry, and has an outsourced customer service centre operated by approximately 200 staff in Middlesbrough. It has been voted one of the top 50 places to work in Britain for two years running in an annual Financial Times survey.
Virgin Mobile's customers are considered the most satisfied in the pre-pay sector according to a recent UK survey by market researchers JD Power and Associates.
