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If you lost your phone/bag whilst out, how would you………

(47 Posts)
Kateykrunch Mon 20-Jul-26 09:46:01

I have realised, that when I am out, if I ‘lost’ my phone and handbag I really would struggle to contact anyone as other than knowing where I live, I dont know any contact numbers, (hubby or adult children) without seeing them written down, either in my contacts in my phone or on paper. Other than having a “if lost please contact……….”tattoo, is there a simple solution you use. Thanks for any input.

merlotgran Mon 20-Jul-26 10:02:05

I have a list of contact numbers in the glove pocket of my car just in case but always keep my keys in one pocket and my phone in the other.
DD thinks I look like a gunslinger because I often tap my pockets for reassurance that they’re there.

Tuliptree Mon 20-Jul-26 10:04:11

This thought has often flitted though my mind. I’d be OK once I got home. I am very careful with my bag and phone but saying that is asking for trouble isn’t it? .

Magenta8 Mon 20-Jul-26 10:06:57

You could carry a piece of paper in your pocket with all the details you need, or write them on your arm with a ballpoint pen, but you would need a phone to make the calls.

Police stations do not generally have a manned desk any more. You need to make an appointment by phone to speak to a police officer these days. I don't know if this applies to everywhere.I have not seen a police officer on the beat for many years.

You could ask for help in a shop or even approach a kind looking stranger.

I am not sure any of the above is very helpful.

Oreo Mon 20-Jul-26 10:46:00

More to the point, if your bag and phone are gone how do you get home anyway?

Oreo Mon 20-Jul-26 10:46:45

May be a good idea to keep £30 or so tucked into a pocket.

Tuliptree Mon 20-Jul-26 10:51:05

All this talk of pockets - if only

Oreo Mon 20-Jul-26 10:53:35

Well, my jeans and trousers have pockets as do my coats, jackets and cardigans.

kittylester Mon 20-Jul-26 10:56:07

My husband's mobile no is very similar to mine so I could ring him or the landline - after that I'm stumped.

Elegran Mon 20-Jul-26 10:57:31

merlotgran

I have a list of contact numbers in the glove pocket of my car just in case but always keep my keys in one pocket and my phone in the other.
DD thinks I look like a gunslinger because I often tap my pockets for reassurance that they’re there.

I remember reading long ago that a pickpocket had said he was grateful to whoever put up a notice in the local market saying that there were thieves around and customers should be careful with their wallets and purses. Many people reading it immediately patted the pocket where their money was kept to check it was still safe, which meant he knew which pocket to dip into.

Elegran Mon 20-Jul-26 11:00:35

Oreo

More to the point, if your bag and phone are gone how do you get home anyway?

Taxi, and ask them to wait while you get money from indoors. Of course, your keys are probably in your bag too, but you could go to a friend/neighbour/relative who has a key and hope they are at home.

merlotgran Mon 20-Jul-26 11:24:52

I remember reading long ago that a pickpocket had said he was grateful to whoever put up a notice in the local market saying that there were thieves around and customers should be careful with their wallets and purses. Many people reading it immediately patted the pocket where their money was kept to check it was still safe, which meant he knew which pocket to dip into.

Ooh, thanks, Elegran I’ll remember that and be quick on the draw. 🤠

M0nica Mon 20-Jul-26 11:32:44

Oreo

Well, my jeans and trousers have pockets as do my coats, jackets and cardigans.

Congratulations! The dress I am wearing has no pockets and several of my pairs of trousers, including jeans, have pockets, but they are small and things fall out of them, even some coat pockets are not very large.

The only clothes I have with big, safe capacious pockets are the dress and culottes DD made for me. She believes in big pockets - and they really are!

Oreo Mon 20-Jul-26 11:33:00

Elegran

Oreo

More to the point, if your bag and phone are gone how do you get home anyway?

Taxi, and ask them to wait while you get money from indoors. Of course, your keys are probably in your bag too, but you could go to a friend/neighbour/relative who has a key and hope they are at home.

Could be problematic as those you know may not be at home, and I doubt that taxi drivers would continue to drive you around.Most taxis I have taken in the last few years speak very little English.
No, the best thing is to keep cash on you.

Oreo Mon 20-Jul-26 11:36:03

Depends on the weather Monica if it’s cold then most coats and jackets have pockets.Even my Summer jackets have them.
I don’t think I have ever had jeans and trousers that you couldn’t slip paper money into the pockets.
More problematic if only in a Summer dress, a few of my dresses do and a few don’t.

Astitchintime Mon 20-Jul-26 11:38:31

A slimline money belt under clothing is a safe bet…..can hold a bank card, a little cash, list of emergency contact number, perhaps keys etc.

M0nica Mon 20-Jul-26 11:42:24

Start by memorising a few key numbers (good brain training to ward off dementia)

When we had a personal safety training at work, we were told never to put our keys in our handbags, always have them in a pocket. I have followed that advice ever since.

if your keys are in your handbag, and it is stolen, even if that taxi driver will take you home, assuming that you have cash or card in the house, how will you get in?

henetha Mon 20-Jul-26 11:46:40

I've got some security measures in place for this sort of problem. But I can't say what they are, can I, without risking it.
Sorry, don't mean to sound smug. smile

ViceVersa Mon 20-Jul-26 11:48:56

I'd phone one of my family - I know everyone's numbers off by heart.

Grammaretto Mon 20-Jul-26 11:56:59

I left my phone with all my contacts on the first plane en route to NZ a couple of years ago
.
I felt bereft but I had my passport and bank card and managed a month in NZ and return trip phone free.

I never got the phone back but once home I bought a new phone. I remembered my number so all my details, photos everything were in the "cloud" and miraculously returned.
Apart from the missing month but DDiL lent me an old phone of hers to use while with them.

I know my own number and DS1's number neither of which have changed since 1990s.

valdali Mon 20-Jul-26 11:58:48

I have pockets in nearly every outfit, but I often make a last-minute decision to change my trousers / shorts before popping out as I'm one of those that only has to look at mud or ketchup or coffee to get it down me.Then I haven't got my shopping list / dog bags / whatever. So glove compartment of car would be better for me - and you're right, OP.

AGAA4 Mon 20-Jul-26 12:11:59

I'm planning to have a key safe so there is always a key available. I wear a cross body bag that I rarely take off when I'm out but I know nothing is fail safe.
Good thread. It has got me thinking.

Norah Mon 20-Jul-26 12:12:27

I don't carry a bag, I carry in pockets, phone in car for emergencies.

We were in Baden Baden, I became lost from my husband. My wallet was in my jeans pocket, a card from the hotel and money were in my wallet. I ducked in a shop, asked them to call a taxi to the hotel.

I typically plan for nothing, no elaborate Christmas plans, no daily plans. However, when out I always have a plan for my safety.

merlotgran Mon 20-Jul-26 12:24:19

A key safe with spare keys is my back up at home.
I carry my car and house keys in my pocket but have a spare car key in my cross body bag so I can get home.

I was once locked out of my car in a filling station by my Jack Russell terrier. He was so excited watching me return to the car after going in the shop he jumped up at the window and pressed down the lock!

Fortunately I hadn’t left my keys in the car. 🤣

TillyTrotter Mon 20-Jul-26 12:24:24

I have thought of this , I’d get a taxi cab (you pay at destination)
and we have a key safe on our house wall (more in case I get myself locked out).
I would let myself in and find money to pay cab driver .