Southern Colorado Law Enforcement warns of Cash App and Venmo thieves

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo., (KRDO) -- The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office is asking the public to be aware of Cash App and Venmo thieves who are sending money from people's accounts without them knowing.

According to the sheriff's office, suspects are asking to borrow a cell phone and then going into the cellphone owners' apps and transferring money out of the victim's banking or cash apps to their own.

“The suspect will ask to borrow a cell phone to make a phone call but instead of making the call, they are getting into banking or cash apps and transferring large amounts of money to their account,” said Pueblo County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Bureau Chief David Lucero. “Money can be transferred so quickly through these apps that by the time the victim realizes it, the suspect is long gone.”

Students at Colorado State University-Pueblo reported that they had money transferred from their Venmo or Cash App accounts after loaning their cell phone to someone who claimed to be desperate to make an "emergency" phone call.

The Sheriff's deputies at CSU-Pueblo have identified and are currently looking for a suspect.

This incident is still under investigation, but the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office is advising people to do the following to protect themselves from being a victim of this crime:

• Make the phone call for the person and use the speaker
• Make sure banking and cash apps are secure and password protected
• Make sure to log out of your accounts after every time you use it.
• Stay alert and be cautious to keep your money and information safe.