West Virginia University Police has been alerted by Morgantown Police to multiple reports of theft and fraud related to cell phones and mobile payment apps in recent days.
In several cases, suspects have approached victims and asked to borrow their phones to make calls before quickly using a mobile payment app on those phones — including Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, Apple Cash and others — to send payments to outside accounts.
In other instances, cell phones have been stolen as victims were talking or texting on them.
“To prevent this kind of theft and fraud, we advise members of the University community to be aware of their surroundings at all times and avoid sharing their phones with strangers,” UPD Chief Sherry St. Clair said.
“Other layers of protection include utilizing phone auto-locking features and enhanced security settings for mobile payment apps.”
Additional safety tips and resources:
· If you witness a crime, call 911 or UPD at 304-293-3136.
· Download WVU’s LiveSafe app and check settings to allow notifications.
· Visit safety.wvu.edu for additional resources and information.
· Sign up or monitor your WVU Alert account.
· WVU ITS offers tips to enhance your security settings to better protect your online identity.
For regular safety updates, students and employees are encouraged to follow the WVU Safety and Wellness Facebook page and @WVUsafety on Twitter.
A Community Notice is part of WVU’s three-tiered emergency notification system used to enhance student and employee safety and provide useful information to the community.
-WVU-
sj/04/19/23
MEDIA CONTACT: Shauna Johnson
Director of News Communications
University Relations
304-293-8302; sjohns13@mail.wvu.edu
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