Channel 4 presenter Kirstie Allsopp has urged people to be aware of their surroundings after one of her children was robbed when on a night out. The star warned her followers, and shared a thread they should read following her son's traumatic experience, Birmingham Live reports.
Kirstie said: "PLEASE read this and WARN others. Last night one of our boys was outside a club booking a cab, another lad chatted to him, suddenly his phone was swiped, he chased after the thief but the chatty lad & one other surrounded him & prevented him catching up with the thief.
"He returned to the club, where a bouncer let him use his phone to put the stolen phone into lost mode. He returned home & reported the stolen phone to the police.
"This morning he woke to find numerous £££ transactions. The chatty lad had clearly clocked his passcode & used it to create a new facial ID for his phone in minutes.
"They’d then accessed his @HSBC_UK @RevolutApp & @Apple pay apps amongst others. He’s locked out of everything, but thinks he’s already down many thousands that he has spent the last two years saving up.
"Please, please make sure you opt for double security on all financial apps and be especially careful about @RevolutApp it is too easy to add money to it from Apple Pay, and they have zero customer support.
"If it is easy for you to move money about on your phone, it’s easy for anyone with your phone."
Fans were quick to offer the star advice and support online after she shared the upsetting experience.
One said: "Has the club got cameras?" Kirstie said: "Yes, and they have been very helpful."
Another quipped: "I’m sure you can replace the stolen dosh for him." Kirstie nipped back: "You’re right, no real harm done and I’ll just cough up the missing money, hardly a crime at all really."
A third said: "Warn others? Warn that people can get mugged? Surely people know that?"
Kirstie said: "Clearly you did not read to the end of the thread."
And a fourth added: "Something like that happened to my dad at Waterloo station, one talked to him, another sprayed a liquid on his coat.
"The guy chatting to him pointed at the stain, while he was checking it out another person took his bag while distracted. Police didn't do anything, as usual."
Another typed: "Sad state of the world. What hope do kids have. Easier for them to steal from someone who is vulnerable. Completely awful and hope it’s not knocked your son too hard."
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