Chicago police are warning residents that a smooth-talking crew posing as charity fundraisers has been working the Near West and Near South sides, spinning fake sob stories to score donations, then swiping victims' phones to raid their mobile payment apps.
According to CBS Chicago, the incidents were logged in early and mid-February across the Near West Side, Little Italy, and the South Loop. Police say three thefts were reported on Feb. 5, Feb. 11, and Feb. 18, and that four men are believed to be working the scheme. In two of the cases, officers say the suspects took phones by force, then used cash-payment apps on the devices to siphon money. Anyone with information is asked to contact Belmont Area detectives at (312) 744-8263 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com with reference number P26-3-007.
How the scam works
Investigators say the crew leans hard on emotions, often trotting out a made-up tragedy to get people to agree to donate. Once someone is on the hook, the scammers ask to use the person’s phone to complete a mobile payment or simply grab it. With the phone in hand, they open the victim's payment app and move money out of the account or send it to accomplices, a tactic that has become more common as services like Venmo and Cash App have exploded in popularity.
The Federal Trade Commission flags these kinds of high-pressure, on-the-spot asks and requests to handle your device as major warning signs, and urges donors to give only through verified charity websites or trusted rating services.
How to protect yourself
Police and consumer watchdogs agree on a few basics: do not hand your phone, PIN, or any payment device to a stranger, even for a supposed donation, and skip donations that demand cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, which are favorites of fraudsters because they are hard to trace.
Instead, look up the charity on trusted databases such as Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau, then donate directly through the organization’s official website or by credit card so payments can be tracked if something goes wrong. The United States Postal Inspection Service also recommends asking for annual reports and contacting law enforcement if a solicitation feels off.
Report it locally
Belmont Area detectives are asking anyone with information to call (312) 744-8263 or file an anonymous tip online at CPDTIP.com using reference P26-3-007, according to CBS Chicago. If you think you were targeted, contact your bank immediately and file a police report so investigators can preserve any available evidence.
These scams bank on good intentions. Keeping your phone in your own hands and donating only through official channels are the simplest ways to stay generous without getting burned, authorities and consumer experts say. Neighbors who see aggressive or suspicious street solicitation are encouraged to call 911 and share any video or identifying details with detectives.
