Loaning My Phone To Stranger

[Elbata]

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/cell-phone-borrow-payment-app-scam/

 

[atmsmshr]

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.

 

[braumeister]

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."

 

[Sunset]

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.

 

[Teacher Terry]

I would dial for them.

 

[easysurfer]

I would dial for them.

Yep. Best solution. But I can see out of habit how OP let him use the phone.

 

[MichaelB]

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.

 

[Aerides]

Especially today, I would not come close enough to a random stranger to hand them anything, let alone my phone.

 

[jollystomper]

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.

 

[6miths]

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?

 

[Walt34]

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.

 

[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]

 

[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!

 

[48Fire]

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!

Oh my, that's worse!

 

[Jerry1]

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.

 

[Just_Steve]

Phone = $600
Would I let a stranger hold $600? I think not.

 

[Doribe]

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.

 

[Doribe]

Especially today, I would not come close enough to a random stranger to hand them anything, let alone my phone.

+1

 

[Doribe]

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]

Hero

 

[calmloki]

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.

 

[Nemo2]

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.

We really don't have one.

 

[N02L84ER]

Just read this article. We handed our phone to a stranger in January.


Stranger lends Texas nurse his car, fills her car with gas after hers breaks down

 

[6miths]

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.

Not oblivious here but happy to not feel the need to lock doors despite living on a main street.

 

[CaptTom]

What a depressing thread!

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.

Thank you for reinforcing to me why I'd never live in a city.

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.

Now that's more like it.

Growing up, we used to leave the keys in the car, in case someone needed to move it. We'd wave at anyone who drove by the other way; if they were driving in town, they must be someone we knew.

Now, we do lock the house when away. It's a bit of a tourist area and we sometimes get crooks coming here from the city. Even locally, there's always the odd drug addict who needs money for a fix.

Still, I know how horrible it feels to lose a cell phone. I'd certainly help someone out. Obviously I'd do a bit of an assessment of their character before deciding just how I'd help them. In many cases I'd hand over the phone and let them do what they needed. Other times I might hold the phone.

I think it's foolish to have banking or other important apps unprotected on a phone. For the number of times I use them, typing an ID and password (or using a fingerprint) isn't enough of an inconvenience to leave them open for anyone who finds or steals the phone.

 

[donheff]

I'm a little less paranoid about this. Based on the individual's demeanor and other circumstances I have lent my phone to strangers a couple of times and in a couple of others refused. With social isolation in effect I would probably dial myself and use a speaker phone. I don't think it matters whether you are in a city or the sticks, there is an element of risk in both. To me, common decency generally outweighs the remote possibility of the loss of a phone but gut instinct (if the request feels hinky) outweighs common decency. So far, so good said the jumper as he passed the 50th floor.