The Story

Imagine you are taking a stroll through your city one day and you are assaulted. You don’t know this person or why they would want to harm you. You don’t have anything of value other than your phone which is full of financial apps including your bank app and payment apps. What happens when your phone is compromised?

Woman’s Phone Stolen During Attack

NEW YORK – A woman was attacked and robbed of her phone.  The robbers then used the Zelle payment app on her phone to transfer $750 to themselves.

The NYPD says it happened just before 9 p.m. on Aug. 31.

The 23-year-old woman was walking in Greenwich Village when two people approached her.  They punched her and kicked her in the head, forcibly removed her phone, and transferred the money before taking off.

The woman sustained scratches and bruising to the head and about her body.  EMS took her to Beth Israel Hospital for treatment.

New York City Police Department officials released a photo this week of the people they are looking for in connection with the attack.

Read the original story on Fox5

What Can We Learn?

People are unpredictable. They can be kind or terribly cruel. This woman was attacked without warning. She was walking down the street and two men attacked her, stole her phone, and then sent themselves money through an app. Though this may help lead to their arrest (these apps are easily traceable) it was still a terrifying ordeal. When you are out in public pay attention to those around you. Do not walk around with your eyes down or your hearing compromised. Keep all your senses open and focused n your surroundings at all times. Also, think about adding protection to your phone so if someone does take it you can avoid a situation like this. Always have a code to unlock your phone and keep your physical and virtual self protected.