topic Re: Caution Using Public Phone Charging Ports/Stations in Community Chat

Caution Using Public Phone Charging Ports/Stations

msclassylady717 — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 20:33:04 GMT

On the Dr. Oz's show today, he did a segment with a hacker and the use of those public phone charging stations.

The hacker went on to say that hackers are putting spyware/malware into these charging stations. With this installation, they can get and track and even see what you are doing on your phone, and even take your picture as well.

The investigator was talking to this hacker, he charged his phone and then went to his car for testing. He called his wife, checked his bank account, ordered an item from Amazon; then he went back to the hacker to see what he was able to capture. The hacker gave him his wife's phone number, plus her name; gave the guy his bank account number; and told him what gift he ordered for his son from Amazon; it also took his picture as well.

I just thought I'd share this info with you all ... I'm very challenged when it comes to computers and technical items, so hope this info mightt help.

Re: Caution Using Public Phone Charging Ports/Stations

Bhvbum — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 20:45:22 GMT

This scare has been around for a while and the rule is use your own wire and your own plug-in device instead of using someone else's. That also goes for those portable charging devices, only use your own.

Re: Caution Using Public Phone Charging Ports/Stations

FrostyBabe1 — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 20:53:40 GMT

I've never used one of those. I've carried my own charger for as long as I can remember. It only weighs a few ounces and I can get 3-4 full charges from it.

Re: Caution Using Public Phone Charging Ports/Stations

Still Raining — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 21:16:39 GMT

Never used a public type, but the floors at an airport are crowded by those using them.

Re: Caution Using Public Phone Charging Ports/Stations

shoesnbags — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 21:45:05 GMT

Good that this was being publicized, but it's not new. I saw this warning on TV a couple of years ago.

There are so many ways to compromise our CCs today. Mr. Shoes just cancelled a card today because there was a $300 charge from a business he had never heard of, located across the country. Of course, he has no idea how it was compromised.

Re: Caution Using Public Phone Charging Ports/Stations

SandySparkles — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 22:03:21 GMT

@shoesnbags That's just awful, but thank GOODNESS he was able to stop the thief, before he/she was able to do significant damage before the transaction was discovered!

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: Caution Using Public Phone Charging Ports/Stations

ROMARY — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 22:13:48 GMT

A lot of people over here give me 'a look' (a smirk) when I even casually mention that folks (in general) should be careful using their devices.

Re: Caution Using Public Phone Charging Ports/Stations

SandySparkles — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 22:16:20 GMT

Because of stories like this, I have three 10000Mah portable power banks for whenever I travel, and have at least one with me whenever I am out and about.They provide hours of charge for multiple devices, and are very affordable.😊

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: Caution Using Public Phone Charging Ports/Stations

noodleann — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 22:21:38 GMT

@SandySparkles wrote:
Because of stories like this, I have three 10000Mah portable power banks for whenever I travel, and have at least one with me whenever I am out and about.They provide hours of charge for multiple devices, and are very affordable.😊

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

I bought a set of four of those on HSN and they work great. I didn't know about public charging stations. I wouldn't trust something like that not to blow out the electronics of my phone, so the portable power banks are ideal if I'm traveling. Make great gifts, too.

Re: Caution Using Public Phone Charging Ports/Stations

lianne — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 22:39:21 GMT

Your first mistake is believing ANYTHING that hack Oz says.

Re: Caution Using Public Phone Charging Ports/Stations

SandySparkles — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 22:47:51 GMT

@noodleann wrote:
@SandySparkles wrote:
Because of stories like this, I have three 10000Mah portable power banks for whenever I travel, and have at least one with me whenever I am out and about.They provide hours of charge for multiple devices, and are very affordable.😊

~~~All we need is LOVE💖
I bought a set of four of those on HSN and they work great. I didn't know about public charging stations. I wouldn't trust something like that not to blow out the electronics of my phone, so the portable power banks are ideal if I'm traveling. Make great gifts, too.

@noodleann GMTA😁 We must have ordered the same set! The one I have was offered last year at a phenomenal price! When Adam presented them, I couldn't help myself. I gave one away as a gift and kept three, because I already had a 3000Mah one that I love.😄

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: Caution Using Public Phone Charging Ports/Stations

noodleann — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 23:33:17 GMT

@SandySparkles wrote:

@noodleann wrote:
@SandySparkles wrote:
Because of stories like this, I have three 10000Mah portable power banks for whenever I travel, and have at least one with me whenever I am out and about.They provide hours of charge for multiple devices, and are very affordable.😊

~~~All we need is LOVE💖
I bought a set of four of those on HSN and they work great. I didn't know about public charging stations. I wouldn't trust something like that not to blow out the electronics of my phone, so the portable power banks are ideal if I'm traveling. Make great gifts, too.
@noodleann GMTA😁 We must have ordered the same set! The one I have was offered last year at a phenomenal price! When Adam presented them, I couldn't help myself. I gave one away as a gift and kept three, because I already had a 3000Mah one that I love.😄

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

The set I got were by iDeaPlay. They are 10,000 mAh and have both iOS and USB-C adapters. Less than $40 for the four, free shipping. Great way to make sure you never run out of power. I got them after I was stuck somewhere with just 14% power left on my phone and it took almost all of it to guide me out of the Shopping Center from Hades and back on a road I knew. Never again!

Re: Caution Using Public Phone Charging Ports/Stations

SandySparkles — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 01:37:44 GMT

@noodleann Yes! I got the IDeaPlay set, and hope they offer it this year, as they make great gifts. The one I gave away was well received by the recipient.

They're like the American Express card; never leave home without them.😊

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: Caution Using Public Phone Charging Ports/Stations

shoesnbags — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 03:06:16 GMT

@lianne wrote:
Your first mistake is believing ANYTHING that hack Oz says.

@lianne

This same warning was on national news a couple of years ago.