Stolen phone

Cell phones in today’s Accra are what Jordan sneakers were in the US in the 1990s. Anyone risks potentially losing his life or limbs over a cell phone. They are being stolen by everyone: the house girl, the driver, the usher or the taxi driver. A taxi driver ran off with my phone in broad day light in front of the Lincoln Community School in Abelenkpe last week and here is what I learned.

1.     Always pay the driver when you get to destination and pay him while you are outside of the taxi. This gives you time to browse the seats and make sure that nothing was left behind. But have the money ready before hand.

2.    Try not to wear expensive jewelry in taxis. Taxi drivers will assume you have money if you are heading to an “expensive” part of town, wearing particular clothes, wearing expensive looking jewelry and holding particular phones. Everyone knows the value of phones. A friend took me to Madina market last week and she was annoyed that the beggar on the street was carrying a more expensive phone then she was. People know the brands, the make and the prices of phones so keep yours hidden.

3.    Always have children enter the taxi last and exit first. Just in case this sans ave would like to run off with your most prized possessions.

4.    Always take the taxi number down or the license plate. It can help to trace the madichon.

5.    Always exit taxi in area where there are people. Not down the street from them but exactly in front of them. He will have more people chasing him that way or he would shy from doing so. Exit especially in front of security guards. This is not to assume that they would do something, but their presence might keep the potential malfrendeng from running off with your stuff.

6.    Make sure he drives on main roads or roads that you know. Always look for potential exit in case.
7. File a police report.
8. Take that report to the brand maker/company main store and have them block the phone. Yes, you can!