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Loaning My Phone To Stranger
04-26-2020, 01:12 PM
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#1
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 656
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Loaning My Phone To Stranger
After a long bike ride, I'm sitting on the side of the road. A person comes by and asks if I saw a phone laying on the road. He asks if he can use my phone to help him find his phone. I did, but I was cautious at the same time. It turned out he had no nefarious intentions, he used my phone to track (ping) his iPhone (which worked).
After the encounter, I got to thinking about what happened. He had access to my phone, my "wallet" and much other data. I started researching about loaning phone to strangers and had no clue how big a scam it is.
What can happen:
1. Just run away with the phone.
2. Download app to follow inputs on the phone.
3. Use Paypal, Venmo, etc. to send money.
I feel lucky nothing happened to me. But next time I'll be even leerier and take better precautions. Ideally, either the answer would be a flat "no, you can't use my phone" to if I do avail my phone to someone, I would first take a picture of them and their license, send that to my wife, then dial the number for them and put it on speakerphone.
https://clark.com/scams-rip-offs/cel...ment-app-scam/
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04-26-2020, 01:37 PM
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#2
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: An island off the coast of Florida. (Ok - if you really need to know it's Vero Beach)
Posts: 633
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Or you can maintain possession of the phone.
I have Fidelity account on my phone and Credit Union app. No way am I letting a stranger take possession.
__________________
DW and I are 62/62. 100% equities 31 years. FIRE'd August 2019. Non-cola pension cashed out Dec 2022 before segmentation rates reduced balance - rolled to MM fund, max SS for DH and DW at FRA. Mega retiree health available. IRA rollover from 401k Jan 2020 for NUA treatment. LTCG for 3 years. Next few years will be IRA cash withdrawals or until Stock Market recovers. AA 33% stocks, 67% MM and T-Bills. Rising equity glidepath.
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04-26-2020, 01:40 PM
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#3
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Flyover country
Posts: 25,199
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I wouldn't simply hand my phone over to a stranger for any reason. No need to when you could simply dial whatever number they gave you and put it on speaker for them.
Another good answer might be a polite little white lie: "Sorry, my battery is almost dead and I want to preserve it in case of emergency."
__________________
I thought growing old would take longer.
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04-26-2020, 01:41 PM
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#4
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Spending the Kids Inheritance and living in Chicago
Posts: 17,012
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OP - after reading your post, and thinking about it. I would not give my phone to someone, as they may run faster than me, or all they have to do is visit a website set up to auto download some virus/key logger.
I would dial for them some number, but thinking how my banking is on the phone, it's too risky to hand it over.
__________________
Fortune favors the prepared mind. ... Louis Pasteur
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04-26-2020, 01:50 PM
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#5
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 7,002
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I would dial for them.
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04-26-2020, 01:55 PM
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#6
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,132
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Teacher Terry
I would dial for them.
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Yep. Best solution. But I can see out of habit how OP let him use the phone.
__________________
Have you ever seen a headstone with these words
"If only I had spent more time at work" ... from "Busy Man" sung by Billy Ray Cyrus
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04-26-2020, 02:09 PM
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#7
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Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 40,586
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My phone requires a separate security validation for each app download and most app transactions, so access to my phone, even if unlocked, isn’t enough to do any damage.
If an app doesn’t have transaction security, perhaps it’s use should be reconsidered.
If someone just wants to dial a number, speakerphone while the phone stays with me is a good idea. If they want to use the “find my phone” function it’s more complicated, the user needs to access their iCloud account.
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04-26-2020, 02:16 PM
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#8
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 13,879
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Especially today, I would not come close enough to a random stranger to hand them anything, let alone my phone.
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04-26-2020, 03:02 PM
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#9
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,136
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This has happened to me a couple of times. I am always direct and say "I will dial a number and put in on speaker, but I will hold the phone". One person was fine with it. The other kept saying "just let me hold the phone, I'll be quick". Eventually I just said sorry, turned and walked away to them cursing at my back. Too bad.
__________________
FIREd date: June 26, 2018 - "This Happy Feeling, Going Round and Round!" (GQ)
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04-26-2020, 03:09 PM
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#10
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 3,320
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Yes it's definitely a risk handing over one's phone. Theoretically, even if they want to use 'Find my iPhone' you could input their iCloud info to do it and then they could change their password once they have found their phone. Who is more likely to have sinister intentions?
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04-26-2020, 03:44 PM
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#11
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Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Eastern WV Panhandle
Posts: 25,302
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At age 70 I'm old enough to be credible when I say "I don't have a phone". Only once has someone asked to use mine and that worked.
__________________
When I was a kid I wanted to be older. This is not what I expected.
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04-26-2020, 04:25 PM
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#12
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 956
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A few years ago at the Florida Welcome Center, three young kids asked me if they use my phone because their Mom left them at the rest area. Seemed like a scam, and I knew they could outrun me, so I told them to give me the number, and I would call their Mom.
She answered, and I said, I'm standing at the rest area with three kids who say you left them. She was shrieking!
Apparently the kids were all sleeping when Mom ran to the restroom. They woke up, headed to the vending machines. She jumps back in the car, neglecting to do a headcount [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]
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04-26-2020, 04:37 PM
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#13
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Lake Livingston, Tx
Posts: 4,203
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That reminded me of a friends story. He married for 45 years, with wife and 40 year old son on a car trip. They stopped for gas and snacks. Almost an hour down the road, dad and son realized no mom!
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If it is after 5:00 when I post I reserve the right to disavow anything I posted.
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04-26-2020, 07:13 PM
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#14
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 956
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rustic23
That reminded me of a friends story. He married for 45 years, with wife and 40 year old son on a car trip. They stopped for gas and snacks. Almost an hour down the road, dad and son realized no mom!
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Oh my, that's worse!
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04-26-2020, 07:21 PM
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#15
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 9,102
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I think in the past, I've let a person or two use my phone. Today, there's no way I would. A phone is so much more than a phone today. Who even knows what's all on that device that could be used to do me harm. I may think I have it all pass worded and protected, but I'm sure some geek could should me what I missed.
I guess the best you can do today is tell them you'll dial a number as you hold on to the phone, but unless it's something severe (car accident), my inclination would be to just say "no - sorry" and move on. Sad, that it has come to that.
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Every day when I open my eyes now it feels like a Saturday - David Gray
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04-26-2020, 07:31 PM
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#16
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Dutchess County
Posts: 1,599
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Phone = $600
Would I let a stranger hold $600? I think not.
__________________
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Benjamin Franklin
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04-26-2020, 07:32 PM
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#17
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: .
Posts: 398
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I live in a big city. I grew up in a big city. The answer to "can I use your phone" is no. I am comfortable saying no and so should everyone. I grew up in an inner city neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. The opening sentence of a robbery/con is commonly a small ask .Just say no. i wouldn't dial and let someone use speaker phone on my phone.
I would immediacy call 911 for anyone that asks for help or appears to need help. Stay safe.
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"If things go wrong, don't go with them" -Roger Babson
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04-26-2020, 07:34 PM
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#18
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: .
Posts: 398
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aerides
Especially today, I would not come close enough to a random stranger to hand them anything, let alone my phone.
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+1
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__________________________________________
"If things go wrong, don't go with them" -Roger Babson
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04-26-2020, 07:38 PM
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#19
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: .
Posts: 398
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 48Fire
A few years ago at the Florida Welcome Center, three young kids asked me if they use my phone because their Mom left them at the rest area. Seemed like a scam, and I knew they could outrun me, so I told them to give me the number, and I would call their Mom.
She answered, and I said, I'm standing at the rest area with three kids who say you left them. She was shrieking!
Apparently the kids were all sleeping when Mom ran to the restroom. They woke up, headed to the vending machines. She jumps back in the car, neglecting to do a headcount [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]
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Hero
__________________
__________________________________________
"If things go wrong, don't go with them" -Roger Babson
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04-26-2020, 07:46 PM
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#20
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Independence
Posts: 7,281
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Glad to be so oblivious to the potential dangers of the world. My parents homesteaded and I was born in Alaska - grew up with the story that you left your door unlocked and a fire laid if away from your cabin in case a freezing traveler passed by. Lent my phone while on a walk a few months ago to a woman with car trouble. Do judge who I'd help, but believe most are good and prefer not to live in fear. Things have worked out so far.
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"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
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