Never Leave Devices Unattended at Public Counters

High-value mobile devices left on counters or surfaces in busy food establishments become targets for opportunistic theft the moment the owner moves away. A 2026 incident at a KFC on Independence Square in Port of Spain illustrates the window of exposure: a customer placed a Samsung S24 Ultra valued at $17,000 on the cashier’s counter to complete a food order, then walked away to sit down. When they returned, the device was gone. Staff reported seeing nothing, and the owner had not authorised anyone to remove it. The theft required no confrontation, no tools, and no unusual access — only a brief moment of inattention in a crowded space. Devices placed on counters in high-footfall locations are visible to many people simultaneously, and any one of them can take the item and be out of the immediate area before the owner notices.

Steps to follow:

• Never place your phone on a counter, table, or any surface in a public establishment and then move away from it — even briefly; take it with you when you step to a table or anywhere beyond arm’s reach.
• Keep your device in a pocket or bag during transactions at food counters, cashiers, or kiosks; use one hand for payment and keep the other holding your device if you need it out.
• If you must take your phone out in a public establishment, return it to your pocket or bag before you move to your seat; do not leave it as a placeholder or to hold a spot.
• Be aware that the few seconds between placing an order and walking to your table are enough for someone monitoring the counter to take a high-value item and leave — busy establishments limit staff ability to monitor all surfaces at all times.
• If you lose a device purchased on hire purchase, report it to both police and the retailer immediately; this documents the loss for insurance and informs the retailer in case the device is presented for service or resale.