An easy way to curb smart-phone thieves ON SAN FRANCISCO

The idea that your smart phone could make you vulnerable to a thief has triggered a strong reaction.

Earlier this week I highlighted this problem and readers asked why the cell phone's serial number couldn't be used to block stolen phones, rendering them useless.

I assumed that idea was simplistic. Surely there was a good reason why it wouldn't work.

There isn't.

Randal Markey of the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association explained that not only is it possible for carriers to block the use of stolen phones, Australian phone carriers have done it for nearly 10 years.

"What it means is stealing a phone is a complete waste of time," Markey said. "Although the thief could probably use it as a paperweight."

But American phone companies aren't doing that. When asked why, representatives from Sprint, Verizon and AT&T instead touted their apps to locate a lost phone or wipe out a SIM card. But that's not the issue. Petty thieves ditch the SIM card immediately. That doesn't shut down the phone.

Australia uses something akin to a serial number, basically a 15-digit fingerprint found on every phone. That number is transmitted every time the phone is used. A database crosschecks the number and blocks service to anyone who uses a stolen phone. The service is free to cellular customers.

When American carriers are asked why they don't do the same, there is a lot of huffing and puffing and hand waving, but none of it is very convincing. Frankly, the carriers don't gain anything from putting in this service, and actually add customers if someone signs up a stolen phone with them. As for the phone companies, every stolen phone is a potential new sale.

Companies would never want to admit that stolen phones are good for their bottom line. And they don't have a good excuse for why they can't implement something that has been successful in Australia.

All three of Australia's phone companies began blocking service to stolen phones in 2003. The results have been dramatic.

The mobile association found that phone thefts have dropped 25 percent since 2004. That's impressive, but especially when you consider that that the number of cell phones has increased from roughly 15 million to over 26 million in the same time period. In other words, there are 10 million more phones but 25 percent fewer thefts.

Markey says there's another benefit.

"When the program began there were lots of reports on the radio and television about people being held up in the street, accosted for their smart phone," he said. "Anecdotally, I would say we don't see that anymore."

Obviously, American phone companies don't want to look as if they don't care about the safety of their customers. But their excuses seem flimsy.

Amy Storey, speaking for CTIA, which represents the wireless communication industry, says it is "easy for criminals to overwrite the serial number," that "shared databases are notoriously hard to maintain accurately" and that the systems "added time and hassle to the customer's activation process."

Markey politely disagreed.

You can change the serial number, Markey said, "but it is very difficult to do. It is not something that your average thief would find easy."

The database, Markey said, hasn't been a problem. Stolen phones are entered daily and become unusable. As for adding to the hassle of activation, the customer only needs to write down his serial number.

At the very least American companies should look into this. A little pressure from customer groups and politicians wouldn't hurt. Australia has found it to be an elegant solution to a problem we are just beginning to understand.

"I wouldn't dream of telling American carriers what to do," said Markey. "I would just say that we have gone down a path and we are very happy with it."

Ask someone who has been punched and had his smart phone taken how happy he is.