CRIME, POLICE + COURTS
New scam: borrowing a phone and accessing Venmo
Oct 11, 2022, 3:20 PM
The Summit County Sheriff reports a new type of scam involving a stranger's cell phone, and Venmo. (Canva)
(Canva)
SALT LAKE CITY — Summit County officials report a new type of scam involving a cell phone and the digital wallet, or mobile payment application, Venmo.
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office said that on Saturday, Oct. 8, a Smith’s courtesy clerk, at the 1725 Uinta Way location in Park City, was approached by an unknown woman.
The woman reportedly asked the Smith’s employee if she could use the employee’s cell phone.
The Sheriff’s office said that later, the Smith’s employee discovered the person who’d borrowed their phone used Venmo to send herself about $1,200 from the victim’s phone.
At least in some instances, if a cell phone is unlocked, any user can access the Venmo app. There are several ways Venmo users can protect themselves from this type of scam, including requiring two-factor authentication before gaining access to the app.
Venmo users can also require a face ID or a pin number in order to access the app.
The Summit County Sheriff says this case is ongoing.
