JOHNSTON, R.I. (WPRI) -- Cell phones are becoming bigger and bigger targets for thieves. More unsuspecting people are getting their phones swiped every day. According to the F.C.C., 113 smart phones are stolen every minute.
Jason Petracca of Johnston had his smart phone stolen at a local mall where he works. He claims a customer snuck into the break room and swiped it.
Petracca says he reported the theft to the state police, filed a police report and canceled his service immediately.
However, police and cell phone providers say there is more that cell phone owners should do to protect themselves before their phone stolen.
"GPS and the cloud computing software helps us track these telephones, otherwise we would have no way to find them," said Major Todd Catlow of the Rhode Island State Police.
Most smart phone users have a GPS location device that police say should always be turned on in case your phone is stolen.
For example, iPhone users can download a free app called Find My iPhone that if set up beforehand can track your cell phone if it’s lost or stolen.
Unfortunately, Petracca says he didn't set up a tracking device on his Galaxy before it was stolen.
Cell phone providers are aware of the rising smartphone thefts and are starting to do more to prevent them.
AT&T and other major carriers have launched a database designed to prevent stolen phones from being activated.
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