Greg's Corner

$2 Water Scam Costs Victim $1,100

By Greg Collier

A recent case out of Atlanta serves as a timely warning about how a moment of generosity can lead to a significant financial loss, particularly when using peer-to-peer payment apps. In this instance, a woman attempting to buy a bottle of water from a group of local street vendors was tricked into sending $1,100 through Cash App. The situation unfolded when one of the vendors asked to enter their payment information directly into her phone, claiming it would help ensure the correct username. After the phone was returned and the payment was submitted, she discovered far more money had been transferred than she intended.

With the United States currently facing record-breaking temperatures due to an ongoing heat dome, this scam could start appearing in other cities where street vending activity increases during hot weather. The presence of informal vendors offering water or cold drinks at intersections may become more common, especially in urban areas where demand spikes. Unfortunately, this also creates more opportunities for similar scams to take place, particularly when payment apps are involved.

Law enforcement is aware of the situation, but cases like this can be difficult to resolve quickly, especially if the recipient account is untraceable or the money is withdrawn soon after the transaction. Attempts to dispute such payments through the app itself may take time and do not guarantee a refund. In this case, a police report was filed, and the user began the dispute process, but it could be weeks before any resolution is reached.

Multiple similar incidents have reportedly taken place in the same area, with other individuals describing losses ranging from hundreds to over a thousand dollars, often involving either direct phone access or QR code manipulation. Although the accounts of these events have largely surfaced through personal social media posts, they are drawing growing concern among residents and travelers alike.

One clear takeaway from this situation is that no one should ever hand over their phone to a stranger when using payment apps. These platforms are designed to make transactions easy, but their convenience also comes with significant risk if proper precautions are not taken. Scammers are known to exploit brief lapses in judgment, especially in fast-moving or emotionally charged moments.

As temperatures continue to rise and street activity increases, it is important to stay vigilant. While many street vendors operate honestly, this case is a reminder that not all do. Protecting personal devices and maintaining control of financial apps at all times can help prevent similar losses from happening elsewhere.