Scott Hakim of West Bloomfield, 37, faces felony charges for stealing nude photos from a customer’s cell phone.
The victim, a 19-year-old woman, wanted to upgrade her I-phone and went to the cell phone store on Dixie Highway at Davisburg Road.
After the upgrade process was complete, she noticed text messages sent to an unknown number, and in the text messages were four photos of herself she took for her boyfriend, said Sgt. Matt Baldes, commander of Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Springfield Township substation.
He was charged on July 24 with unauthorized access of computer, a five-year felony; interfering with electronic communications, two-year felony; use of a computer to commit a crime, seven year felony; and another count of using a computer to commit a crime in regards to interfering with electronics communications, four year felony.
‘Phones are now considered computers,? Baldes said.
The suspect has been released on $5,000 bond, waived initial exam, and was bound over to circuit court for trial.
‘When most of us go to a store, we trust the employees to stay in bounds, but people need to understand a lot of information is placed on your phones,? Baldes said. ‘When you give your phone to someone, it gives them access to all that information.?
The FCC has some general tips for consumers to avoid becoming a victim of smart device theft: familiarize yourself with the anti-theft features available through your smart device; set a strong password or PIN or take advantage of newer features such as fingerprint or other biometric identification features; pay attention to your surroundings; do not lend your mobile device to a stranger; do not leave your mobile device unattended; always back up data; and install anti-theft software that offers additional security features beyond standard pre-installed device options.