You need to unload your phone before going through TSA security at the airport (and you might want to avoid public charging ports, too), but beware: Placing your phone directly into one of TSA’s plastic security screening bins could lead to it getting stolen.
Here’s how to keep yours safe when going through the TSA security checkpoint.
Why TSA will pull you aside if you have “SSSS” on your boarding
Travelers warned not to place phones directly in TSA security bins
Phones are considered an easy target for theft, especially during busy airport times.
While it may seem easy enough to set your phone inside the TSA bin, it increases the risk of theft, according to TikTok traveler Tiffany (@travel.by.the.books). She shared that she was told by a TSA agent that “this is the fastest way to get it stolen.”
Phones are stolen regularly, she adds, because the devices are often left out and exposed, making them more vulnerable to someone swiping yours without you knowing.
Put your phone inside a zipped pocket in your bag to keep it safe, TikToker suggests
To reduce the risk of phone theft at the TSA line, flyers should instead store their phones inside their bags. “Always make sure your valuables are zipped up into your bag when they go through the scanners,” Tiffany suggests.
While it depends on the airport you’re visiting, you will generally be asked to remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone (laptops, tablets, e-readers) from your carry-on bag and then place them in a bin for X-ray screening, according to TSA guidelines.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Use TSA security bins? Avoid placing this item inside the containers. Here’s why
Reporting by Alex Perry, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
