Survey finds more men lose mobiles than women

Chennai: In the city, men, more than women, seem to be losing their mobile phones. One in three people in Chennai has experienced theft of phones during the last year.

Though well aware of the insurance concept available for phones, three fourth of consumers are reluctant to utilise this, reveals a recent study about consumer behaviour among people using mobiles.

About 66 per cent of mobile phone users in the city have experienced a mobile theft, be it for self or among family and friends.

A significant number of these losses has happened in workplaces followed by railway platforms and bus bays. About 50 per cent of folks have lost their phones inside public transport, said the survey by mobile retailer Univercell conducted in association with GFK.

Though a whopping 80 per cent of consumers are aware of mobile insurance, it is only one fourth of the lot, less than 30 per cent of people, who have taken mobile insurance, the report said.

“This is because of the cumbersome procedure of filing a police complaint and later getting a not-found report to go for a claim,” said Himanshu Chakrawarti, CEO of The MobileStore Ltd. “People are still wary of any procedures dealing with police and hence there is reluctance in buying theft insurance as compared to extended warranty insurance,” he added.

In fact, going by his personal experience, Chakrawarti vouches that it is far easier for people to deal with police in the south rather than in the eastern and northern regions.

“Losing a phone, can have an emotional impact especially if it is a smartphone that has a high investment,” said Nandakumar, Director – Retail Operations, UniverCell.

This is precisely the reason why people buying mobiles on the web are also showing an increased interest to take up an individual insurance policy for their phones.

“We have had requests from many people who bought their phones on websites, seeking to put in place a mobile theft insurance even after a week of purchase,” said Sowmya, VP-marketing and brand strategy at Univercell. “In order to fill this gap, we have partnered with Oriental Insurance Company,” she added.

Next: Only 230 theft cases registered: Cyber crime cell

Only 230 theft cases registered: Cyber crime cell

Chennai: The survey may claim that two in three persons in Chennai have experienced theft of their mobile phones. But the cyber crime cell of the Chennai city police has a different story to tell. “Only 230 cases of mobile thefts were referred to us. We have detected almost all the cases that came to us,” said a senior official in the Chennai city crime branch, to which the cyber unit in attached.

Of course not all cases reach the cyber cell for investigation.

“Even if local stations are engaged in a probe, they will have to come to the cyber cell to track the missing phone. Everything put together, we had only 230 cases,” the official added.

The police official also noted that it is usually people who lose costly smart phones who press with their complaints. “Others usually do not follow up with police,” the official noted.

It is very important for the investigators to have the IMEI number of the particular mobile phone to track it. “The IMEI number is the identity number of the instrument.

Even if the thief removes your SIM card, the IMEI number remains the same. But not many users take the pains of noting the IMEI number. Without the IMEI number, it is very difficult for us to track the missing instrument,” police note.

City police sources also noted that mobile thieves, after stealing the instruments from the city, take those phones to other states where the Chennai police has limited liaison possibilities with mobile phone service providers.

Next: New grievance redressal system likely to be introduced soon in airport

New grievance redressal system likely to be introduced soon in airport

S. Sujatha |?DC

Chennai: With the rise in number of smart phone users in the country, a new grievance redressal system is likely to be introduced at Chennai airport so that passengers can instantly lodge complaints from their cellphones.

A senior Chennai airport official said a Quick Response Code (QRC), similar to a bar code, would be provided at important locations at the airport so that passengers can directly reach the Airports Authority of India (AAI) grievances page www.aai.aero/public_notices/aaisite_test/public_grievance.jsp by capturing the code in their mobile phones.

They can then type in their feedback, complaints, suggestions or appreciation.

Recently, the AAI had introduced QRC on a pilot basis at a local level in Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik airport.

“After the feedback on the success of QRC at Bhubaneswar airport, the AAI may introduce it across all the airports operated by it,” said Chennai airport AGM (PR) Harbhajan Singh. He added that the city airport currently has a local arrangement in the form of a toll free number 1800-425-6464, which the passengers could use to air their grievances.

According to Singh, the Chennai airport receives around 35 suggestions and 20 complaints per month.

“The grievances we receive are not only pertained to airport operations or facilities provided by the AAI. It is also addressed to various agencies including customs, security and airline operators,” he said.

However, Air Passengers’ Association of India president D. Sudhakara Reddy said that the passengers were not privy to toll free number.

“The AAI should display the number at the entry point,” he said, adding that the QRC established at Bhubaneswar airport was a welcome move by the AAI, as more than 90 per cent of air travellers carry smart phones.