HIS handphone is perpetually in his pocket.

Wherever he goes, be it to the bathroom to do the big deed or just for a quick shower, rest assured that he will never forget his mode of communication.

He says he wants to be always contactable by his clients.

Or that he is waiting for a very important text message from the boss.

No matter what, the phone never leaves his sight.

Sounds familiar? Well, I am not a saint or a clairvoyant. But here is the bad news.

There is a very good chance that your man is cheating on you.

We have all heard countless horror stories of how men with women on the side were caught after their wives or girlfriends accidentally stumbled upon a lover's text message.

And, it seems, an increasing number of suspicious men and women are already aware that the best way to unmask a cheating partner is to read their text messages when they are not looking.

In Britain, it is the No1 way.

In a survey commissioned by the Science Museum in London for its Science of Spying exhibition, 53 per cent of the 1,129 people questioned confessed that they would check their partner's handphone to suss out if their partner has been faithful.

Guys, are you getting worried?

Well, just to let you know that I am on your side, there are several solutions:

1. Password protect

Even better, get a BlackBerry. When questioned, you can reply that it is only because there is sensitive data that, when in the wrong hands, could scuttle your chance to be the next CEO of the company.

2. Delete messages

Delete all incriminating evidence upon receipt and make sure that your phone does not store 'sent messages'. Her curiosity will be aroused when she reads that you sent John (Jolyn, Jessica... you get the drift) a 'good night, dear' message just after midnight.

3. Silent mode

Putting the phone on vibrator mode is not good enough. Leave it on silent. At least it saves you from being all tongue-tied when your phone keeps vibrating in the middle of the night and she asks: 'Who is that? Why aren't you taking the call?'

4. Be a mobile dinosaur

Forget about the latest camera or 3G phones. If you really want to continue to live life on the wild side, go retro and use a basic phone.

At least then when you say that you are at Newton with the boys when you are actually walking hand in hand with your latest sweetheart at East Coast, there is no way that she will say: 'Okay. Send me an MMS as proof.'

But in case you need more advice, don't call me. I've lost my phone.