Pueblo, CO: The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public of a brazen trend involving an unsuspecting act where an individual borrows a cell phone and then uses it to transfer money out of the victim’s banking or cash apps to their own. “The suspect will ask to borrow a cell phone to make a phone call but instead of making the call, they are getting into banking or cash apps and transferring large amounts of money to their account,” said Pueblo County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Bureau Chief David Lucero. “Money can be transferred so quickly through these apps that by the time the victim realizes it, the suspect is long gone.” This trend recently came to light at Colorado State University Pueblo where several students reported they had money transferred from their Venmo accounts after loaning their cell phone to an individual, usually desperate to make an “emergency” phone call. Pueblo County Sheriff’s deputies at CSU Pueblo have identified and are currently looking for a suspect. Deputies continue to investigate the incidents and are warning the campus community to be aware of the trend. The Sheriff’s Office warns that this scheme can happen to anyone, anywhere. “Who wouldn’t want to lend their cell phone to someone to make a needed phone call,” Chief Lucero asked. “We’re not telling people to not help others, but we are asking them to be aware and protect their phone and the information they have on it. Even if you don’t have cash or banking apps, there may be personal information on it that someone may want.” You can still help people who may need to use your phone to make a call but make sure to protect yourself from being a crime victim. Here are a few tips: • Make the phone call for the person and use the speaker • Make sure banking and cash apps are secure and password protect ed • Make sure to log out of your accounts after every time you use it. • Stay alert and be cautious to keep your money and information safe
