Six people have reported being scammed near Hoboken’s waterfront and train terminal over the past two weeks, and police say the setup often starts with a stranger asking to use someone’s phone.
The Hoboken Police Department has received at least six reports of Zelle and Venmo bank-related scams near Hoboken Terminal, the PATH station, Pier A, and Pier C, according to Patch.
Police said the scammers tell victims they are raising money for charity, then ask to borrow the victim’s phone to transfer funds.
Once they have the phone, police say they transfer more money than the victim agreed to donate.
The Scam Has Hit Parks Near The Train Terminal
The reports have come from busy public areas on Hoboken’s south waterfront, roughly a block or two from Hoboken Train Terminal. Hoboken public safety spokeswoman Marci Rubin told Patch that police believe the uptick may be connected to warmer weather and heavier use of parks and public spaces.
Public Safety Director Ken Ferrante warned residents and commuters not to hand their phones to strangers, even when the request sounds harmless.
“What you think is a good deed may be a direct deposit to someone else’s account from yours,” Ferrante said, according to Patch.
Police Released Photos Of Persons Of Interest
Police released photos of people described as “persons of interest” and said investigators want to identify them in connection with the scam reports.
The department has not said the people shown have been charged or convicted of a crime.
Patch reported that a similar scam ramped up in the same general area in late 2022, when police said four people were swindled near the waterfront and train station.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Chelsea Tamborra at TamborraC@hobokenpdnj.gov or call Hoboken police at 201-420-2100.
The Safer Answer Is No
If someone asks to use your phone to send money, open Zelle, open Venmo, collect a donation, or access a payment app, the safest answer is no.
Ferrante said people who claim their phone is dead can be directed to the Hoboken Police Department at 106 Hudson Street, which is close to the train terminal area.
Anyone who already sent money or had a payment app opened by a stranger should report it inside the app, contact the connected bank, and file a report with police.