I was queuing at the Supermarket cashier with a few items for crema de frutta that I was going to make for friends. While waiting for my turn, I brought out my cellphone to check on some messages.
From the grocery, I went to the National Book Store to buy some books for my grandnieces and nephew. To make sure that they have not yet read the books that I was going to buy, I thought of calling their Mom. That’s when I found out that my cellphone was gone.
I’m really puzzled how the thief could have found an opportunity to pick my bag because I was wearing a body bag. But looking back, there was a brief moment when I had difficulty closing my bag because of zipper problems and I dropped my bag of groceries. Someone helped me with them and I even thanked him.
The loss unsettled me for awhile but I decided to go on with my shopping. I thought, the theft made me poorer by at least P20,000 because I will be buying a new phone but I won’t allow him to ruin the Christmas spirit by not accomplishing my shopping list.
I’d like to thank Ace Esmeralda of Security Matters magazine and blogger Tonyo Cruz for their advice on what to do when you lose your cellphone.
Per their advice, I called up Globe Customer hotline 730-1000 and informed them about the theft. They de-activated my SIM card and they said they will give me a new SIM card with the same number.
That’s good. I would be saved the trouble of informing everybody of a change of number. The only hassle is reconstructing my directory. Some of the numbers in my cellphone have been stored in the computer but the list has not been updated.
My friend Charmaine Deogracias of NHK said I should inform the National Telecommunications Office of my cellphone details (Blackberry) so they can do something about preventing whoever is in possession of my cellphone from accessing the messages in that phone.
Right now, although I have an old Nokia phone for important messages to make, I’m in a pre-cellphone period state of mind. I get no messages, I send no messages. No cellphone calls.
Just email and landline calls. I’m pleasantly surprised that I don’t feel incomplete. It’s actually liberating.
***
Christmas is a season of love and all things good. But sad to say there are elements that ruin that atmosphere.
A few weeks ago, I got a text informing me that I won a huse amount of cash and a house and lot in a Christmas raffle for the Overseas Filipino Workers by the Villar Foundation.
Amused about the notice because I’m not an OFW, I forwarded the text to Jan Mata, information officer of Sen. Manny Villar.
Jan said if there was such a bonanza by the Villar Foundation, he would have partook of it.
Recently, the Villar Foundation issued this warning:
“The Villar Foundation warns the public about text scams that continue to circulate that use its name. The Foundation does not have any ongoing raffle draws/contests nor does it have a cash assistance program. Please ignore any text messages claiming you have won in such, because those are certainly scams.”
Be careful. Have a Merry Christmas.
Ellen, baka namamasko lang sa iyo yung pickpocket.
Blackberry pala yung nadikwat, papalitan agad yan ng brand, magiging GSM at mabibilis na ibi-benta sa murang halaga.
Anyway, Maligayang Pasko sa iyo at sa lahat nating kaibigan dito sa ET!
Is it possible you only dropped it?
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Wearing a body bag?
All posts in moderation now?
Hi Baycas, sorry for the delay in the posting. Busy pa kasi ang aming web adminstrator with the VERA Files website.
Right now, all comments go to Spam.I have to de-spam them. I don’t know what happened bakit nagkaganun. Aayusin din ito later. Pasensiya na muna.
Thanks for your patience.
Notorious talaga yang Southmall sa pickpockets and even shoplifters and other petty criminals. Some Christamases back, I took my mom shopping there Since wala pang mga malls noon sa Laguna, yung Festival, di pa tapos. Tamang-tama, nagdeliver ako ng Christmas baskets para sa mga taga-Engineering ng SM sinabihan agad ako ng mag-ingat, kada oras may nahuhuling mandurukot at shoplifter daw. True enough, nakita namin kung paano sinundan nung ilang lalaki yung buntis, hinintay lang makalabas ng pinto saka tinimbog.
I assume, they let you take your loot out first to prove that you did not intend to pay. So walang palusot na nakalimutan lang. 2 plainclothesmen followed the pregnant woman and accosted her as she passed the door. They inspected her and they got at least 10 pcs. of pants, nagulat pa kami nung inilabas yung kettle sa ilalim ng palda. While this was happening, another a young woman who was clinging tight to the sleeves of a man’s shirt was shouting, “Ikaw ang kumuha, ilabas mo, ilabas mo”. With the help of one of the plainclothesmen and the guard, they forced the guy to produce a wallet from inside his underwear. Grabe, ang tapang ng mga mandurukot. Kadalasan pa babae.
This video is tops: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkb4GgPeCxc
Ingat sa shopping! Better yet perahin nyo na lang.
walang magagawa ang security kahit saan establisimyento upang mapangalagaan ang kanilang kliyente laban sa anumang uri ng kawatan lalo’g papalapit ang kapaskuhan.
‘yan ang hirap sa mga taong hindi gustong magbabanat ng buto upang mabuhay. walang silang iniisip kundi pagsamantalahan ang mga nagtitiwala sa kapaligiran.
ellen, payo ko lang sa iyo. sa sunod ay mag-alaga ka ng cobra o kaya ay piranha at ilagay mong pain sa loob ng iyong bag para madala ang sinumang mandurukot na uulit na dukutan ka. para madala!
meri krismas en hapi nyu yir sa inyong lahat!