Revolut Street Mode Combats Phone-Snatching & Transfer Mugging
Laura McQuarrie — December 6, 2025 — Lifestyle
Phone-snatching and transfer mugging are year-round threats that have been rising across many cities and countries, often becoming even more pronounced during the festive season when crowds and distractions create ideal conditions for thieves, and Revolut Street Mode launched to better support customers.
Thieves are taking phones right out of users' hands in the hopes of extracting funds on mobile apps while the phone is unlocked, and research says phone-snatching has surged in the UK, with reported incidents rising by 425% since 2021. If locked, thieves sometimes coerce victims to perform the requisite ID checks.
This new feature, described as a "smart, location-aware shield," is offered to UK customers of the Revolut banking app and lets users define trusted locations. Places not defined as safe will be subject to a one-hour delay and additional ID verification.
Thieves are taking phones right out of users' hands in the hopes of extracting funds on mobile apps while the phone is unlocked, and research says phone-snatching has surged in the UK, with reported incidents rising by 425% since 2021. If locked, thieves sometimes coerce victims to perform the requisite ID checks.
This new feature, described as a "smart, location-aware shield," is offered to UK customers of the Revolut banking app and lets users define trusted locations. Places not defined as safe will be subject to a one-hour delay and additional ID verification.
Trend Themes
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Location-aware Banking — Integrating real-time location data into banking apps enhances security measures by enabling geographic-based access restrictions.
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Proactive Fraud Prevention — Financial apps using anticipatory security measures can reduce financial crime by requiring additional verifications in unsafe locations.
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Trust-based Security Settings — Allowing users to customize security parameters enhances personal safety by establishing trusted environments for transactions.
Industry Implications
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Fintech Security — Financial technology companies are increasingly integrating advanced security features such as location awareness to better protect user funds.
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Mobile Application Development — The evolution of location-based security is pushing developers to create mobile apps that adapt to geographical and situational risks.
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Urban Safety Solutions — Emerging technological solutions are being designed to address the unique security challenges of densely populated urban environments.
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