CLEARWATER, Fla. — Clearwater police say people have been scammed out of hundreds of dollars in our area simply because they were trying to help strangers.
Six times in the last month, people have been approached by someone who asked to use their phone to call a ride or get ahold of a friend or relative. Once the scammer had the phone, they pretended to make a call, but instead went into the owner's Venmo account and transferred money to themselves.
Clearwater police say the six people saw hundreds of dollars taken from their accounts, transferred through the app.
You shouldn't let anyone borrow your phone, police warn, no matter what someone says they need it for. Police suggest if you want to still be a good Samaritan, offer to dial the number for them and put your phone on speaker.
"Under no circumstances, especially in the era of COVID-19, should you hand your phone over to a stranger to use."
If you have any information on the recent scam cases, call Clearwater police at 727-562-4242.
