A warning to anyone who uses popular payment apps like Venmo on their cell phones: Protect your phone and treat it like a credit or debit card. The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) Police Department is investigating three cases of theft where victims lost hundreds of dollars each, after being convinced to hand their phones over to a stranger.

Police say it can happen anywhere (cases are also being investigated at other college campuses and cities in Colorado), and the popularity of payment apps among college students makes them especially easy targets. 

The scam goes like this: Unsuspecting victims are approached by someone claiming to have an urgent need to make a phone call. When victims hand over their phones, the person locates the Venmo app and pays themselves with the touch of a button. Police say once money is transferred, it’s nearly impossible to get it back. 

“As much as you wouldn’t hand your wallet to someone, don’t hand your phone to someone,” said Sergeant Eric Edford of the University of Colorado Boulder Police Department (CUPD). Edford recommends, if you’re feeling especially kind-hearted and decide to offer assistance, keep your phone in-hand and make the call for help yourself. 

Other tips to avoid cell phone scams: Keep security settings activated for all banking or cash apps, log out of those accounts after each use and lock your phone, keeping passcode or face ID enabled.