Keep An Eye On Your Phones At Concerts - There Is A Pickpocketing Epidemic Rocking The Nation

Robert Alexander. Getty Images.

A few months ago, I started noticing a lot of "Lost/Stolen Phone" posts on some of my favorite bands' subreddits. It was mainly on the page for Turnstile, a hardcore band with crowds that typically look like this….

You could see how small personal items could go missing in a sea of movement like that, but this isn't just a bunch of people dropping their phones by accident. This is a mass pickpocketing event coordinated by a team of criminals. There are DOZENS of threads at this point, with even more comments underneath of fans with the exact same stories….

And I even saw a post on the subreddit for The Story So Far yesterday, claiming at least 25 phones were stolen at their Philly show this week….

It's pretty wild, but it seems like phones are being taken at concerts all over the country, making their way to New York - and then being shipped to China (probably to be stripped/sold for parts). I guess punk rock shows are an easy target because once the floor turns into a mosh pit, it's hard to notice a phone slipping out of your bag/pocket….but I'm here to tell you to be extra careful at your next show. Put that shit in your front pockets, make sure there's a good latch/zipper on your bags, and watch for any unwelcome limbs heading your way. We are under attack from swipers.

I'm wondering - how far up does this go? Who is giving these orders for a team of pickpocketers to hit concerts like this? How does payment work? Are they going to come after me next for trying to foil their plans?! If that's the case, just know: I am very happy and have no suicidal thoughts. If I turn up dead in the near future - I DID NOT KILL MYSELF.