Rolling down the window proved to be a big mistake
The incident happened around 6:00 p.m. at the 10th Street highway exit ramp in Midtown. The driver told Fox 5 he hadn’t expected a problem, given the boys’ ages.
"I was just shocked man, I was like, 'dang, I didn’t expect it from pretty much like kids," he said.
But the situation escalated quickly. After the boys stole his phone and car, the victim ended up paying a guy in the BMW behind him to help chase them down. The pursuit lasted about 4.5 miles before the stolen vehicle crashed into a mailbox in a Southwest Atlanta neighborhood. Neighbors reported seeing the group of boys ditch the car and flee the scene.
Unfortunately, the boys had the phone, with access to all the driver's apps.
"They tried to go into my bank account, my Navy Federal, my Chase, my Cash App," he said.
While his bank reacted quickly, he said Cash App did not. Cash App, a digital wallet app that allows users to send or receive money and invest in crypto, was compromised. The thieves changed his account information and withdrew $1,500. They also tried multiple additional times to take out money valued at around $6,000 to $7,000.
Frustrated by the breach of his personal information, the driver has offered a $1,500 reward for information that leads to an arrest. He's also urging other drivers to avoid engaging with water boys, warning "I just say don’t roll down your window. Just keep it going. It’s not even worth it."
Invest in real estate without the headache of being a landlord
Imagine owning a portfolio of thousands of well-managed single family rentals or a collection of cutting-edge industrial warehouses. You can now gain access to a $1B portfolio of income-producing real estate assets designed to deliver long-term growth from the comforts of your couch.
The best part? You don’t have to be a millionaire and can start investing in minutes.
Learn MoreHow to keep your identity secure
The Buckhead driver unfortunately fell victim to a scam because he was trying to be generous. Unfortunately, giving money to individuals on the street can sometimes lead to dangerous situations. Consider donating to reputable charities, using platforms like Charity Navigator to verify their legitimacy.
The driver also experienced financial loss because the thieves were able to access his Cash App account among others. To prevent this, ensure your phone is locked by default and can only be accessed using a passcode or Face ID.
You can also take advantage of security features offered by your financial institutions. Cash App, for example, allows users to enable a security lock that requires a passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID to open it. Setting up this lock is important, as thieves could easily access security codes sent to your phone.
Using strong passwords is also helpful. Avoid storing usernames and passwords for sensitive accounts on mobile devices, as they can be easily compromised if stolen. While manually entering credentials each time may be inconvenient, it’s far better than dealing with identity theft.
The richest 1% use an advisor. Do you?
Wealthy people know that having money is not the same as being good with money. Advisor.com can help you shape your financial future and connect with expert guidance . A trusted advisor helps you make smart choices about investments, retirement savings, and tax planning.
Try it now
