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A stranger asks to charge their phone using yours. What do you say?

37 replies

maplele · 09/11/2024 09:25

Recently on the London underground. A young man came over and said he needed help. I asked him if he needed directions. He said no but hid phone is dead and you can charge it quickly by holding it against another phone or by plugging it in to another phone. Please could he use my phone to charge his?

I was slightly taken aback. I’d never heard of this. I worried he might somehow be able to access my bank details or info. At any rate I wanted to use my phone to write some work emails. I said no sorry ask someone else.

What would you do?

OP posts:
MarketValveForks · 09/11/2024 09:49

Absolutely massive security risk. Definitely wouldn't.
But I usually have a powerpack battery with me and would happily let a stranger plug their phone into it for a few minutes to give them enough juice to deal with their immediate needs (such as getting to a cafe with plugsockets)

sunbum · 09/11/2024 09:50

This is a thing and he probably was genuine. But too risky. I'd have offered him use of my powerbank if he seemed genuine.

1stTimeMummy2021 · 09/11/2024 10:14

I wouldn't do this with a stranger but my phone does allow quick power transfer, provided the other person has the same type of phone. You put the phones back to back and have to select the power sharing option. My husband and I have the same phone for this reason but have only used the feature a couple of times. If I'm honest I forget that it's possible.

Normallynumb · 09/11/2024 23:22

No way!

Pust · 09/11/2024 23:36

I’d be saying no there’s plenty of places to go charge or buy a battery bank.

unsync · 09/11/2024 23:57

I can with mine. Any device that has wireless charging can be charged using certain Samsung phones. Not sure about other brands. I wouldn't let a stranger do it though.

CalicoPusscat · 10/11/2024 00:00

I'd be weirded out by that and say no.

@unsync I have never heard of it before

295bkq · 10/11/2024 00:02

You did the right thing to say no.

Anonymousess · 10/11/2024 00:03

I don’t think there would be any risk of him accessing your data, the risk is more him running off with your phone (or you running off with his)

purpleme12 · 10/11/2024 00:04

I'd say no sorry and walk away if possible

purpleme12 · 10/11/2024 00:06

Really annoys me that McDonald's have got rid of plugs now
You can only charge your phone in there if you've got wireless charging

My phone's not that sophisticated!

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