CTIA-The Wireless Association® Offers Consumer Simple Tips on How to Protect Their Mobile Wallet Apps and Personal Information on Their Mobile Devices

LAS VEGAS, May 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CTIA–The Wireless Association® developed two free consumer pamphlets with easy-to-follow tips so wireless users protect their mobile wallet apps and personal information when making transactions and before they recycle or donate their devices.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100629/DC28223LOGO-a)

WHAT: As consumers increasingly use their mobile devices as wallets to do everything from paying for goods and services to banking, it's vital to protect your personal information. By following these eight simple steps, "Using Your Mobile Wallet?" consumers using financial services may secure their personal and financial information. To download this pamphlet: http://ctia.it/15twWqc (PDF)

In eight simple steps, "How to Erase Your Info Before You Donate or Recycle Your Cellphone" informs consumers how to remove their personal information from their devices. To download this pamphlet: http://ctia.it/10wxCrJ (PDF)

The pamphlets are in English and Spanish.

WHY: Consumers are increasingly recycling their mobile devices and accessories, which helps save the environment. Here are some statistics on recycling cellphones:

• More than 70 percent of a cellphone can be recycled.[I]
• For every million cellphones recycled, 35,000 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered.[II]
• For every 5,000 cellphones recycled, 11,000 kilowatt hours of energy is saved.[III]

With consumers increasingly enjoying the convenience of using their mobile devices for banking, wallet and other financial services, it's important their personal information is secure. Here are some statistics on mobile wallet:

• According to the Federal Reserve, nearly 21 percent of mobile users report using mobile banking in the past year, some using it up to 60 times a month.[IV]
• Mobile payment transactions are expected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2017, four times the value in 2012.[V]
• Of those who use mobile banking, 94 percent reported being very to somewhat satisfied with their experience.IV
• The most common activity for mobile banking users (90 percent) was checking their financial account balances and transaction inquiries.IV

CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

Twitter: @ctia | Blog: http://ctia.it/Na6erv| Facebook: http://ctia.it/LCm4Nn|
LinkedIn Group: http://ctia.it/Na6cA2 | Google+: http://ctia.it/12PfCrO

[I] GSMA, "Mobile Phone Lifecycles: Use, Take-back, Reuse and Recycle", available at: http://www.gsma.com/publicpolicy/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/environmobilelifecycles.pdf (October 2006)

[II] EPA, "Electronics Donation and Recycling", available at: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/donate.htm (November 19, 2012)

[III] Verizon Wireless, "Go Green with Verizon Wireless", available at http://aboutus.verizonwireless.com/Green_Initiative/overview.html (2013)

[IV] Federal Reserve, "Consumers and Mobile Financial Services", available at: http://www.federalreserve.gov/econresdata/mobile-devices/2012-current-use-mobile-banking-payments.htm (March 2012)

[V] Juniper Research, "Press Release: Mobile Payments to Reach $1.3tn Annually by 2017, as NFC and Physical Goods Sales Accelerate", available at: http://www.juniperresearch.com/viewpressrelease.php?pr=332 (August 2012)

SOURCE CTIA-The Wireless Association