by Baltimore, MD – In a troubling incident downtown, a Baltimore woman named Shanay reported that a squeegee worker allegedly tricked her into sending $900 through CashApp using her phone after cleaning her car window at an intersection. The Baltimore City Police have confirmed that they are actively investigating this case.
How the CashApp Theft Allegedly Occurred
On August 29, Shanay stopped at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Washington Boulevard when a squeegee worker approached to clean her car window. Since she had no cash on hand, Shanay asked if he accepted mobile payments via CashApp or Apple Pay.
The worker requested her phone to enter payment information. Shanay, trusting the situation, handed over her device. After some fiddling, the worker claimed Apple Pay didn’t work and then proceeded to enter his CashApp details.
After the phone was returned, Shanay realized she had unknowingly sent $900 to the squeegee worker through CashApp.
“He could see the hurt in my eyes, and I was just trying to be a generous person,” Shanay recalled.
The Emotional Impact and Immediate Response
Shanay was driving with her family at the time and, prioritizing safety, chose not to confront the worker. Instead, she immediately pulled over, attempted to cancel the transaction, and contacted the police to report the theft.
“To do something so hurtful, I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy,” Shanay expressed. “I don’t have a fancy car. I work every day, and to do that, those are the emotions that I felt immediately: the hurt, the shock, the anger, just disbelief.”
CashApp Theft Trends in Baltimore in 2025
According to recent data from Baltimore City Police, there have been five reported wire fraud cases involving CashApp or other mobile electronic payment platforms in 2025. Out of these:
- Three cases were domestic-related incidents.
- Two were linked to squeegee workers.
While Shanay doesn’t want to cast a negative light on all squeegee workers, she emphasizes the need for caution when dealing with unknown individuals requesting mobile payments.
“I don’t want to give them a bad rap. I know people, they may be feeling some backlash, and I’m not giving you guys a bad rap, but just try to do the right thing,” Shanay said.
Raising Awareness and Safety Tips for Mobile Payments
Shanay shared her story widely on social media not to shame squeegee workers, but to encourage greater awareness of similar scams. She has already filed reports with the police, her bank, and CashApp, hoping to recover her lost funds.
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She also highlighted the vulnerabilities in handing over phones to strangers in everyday interactions, saying,
“There are times when you’re out with your family and you say, ‘Hey, can you take a picture of me and my family?’ And at that moment, someone could go on your phone and take your money.”
At this time, there have been no arrests related to this incident. Baltimore police urge residents to:
- Never hand their phones to strangers, especially in situations involving money transfer apps.
- Use extra security measures such as passcodes and two-factor authentication on payment apps.
- Report any theft or suspicious electronic payment activity immediately to authorities at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
For further details on this developing story, visit the full report on CBS Baltimore.
Looking Ahead: Precautions and Public Advice
Shanay reflects on the painful experience with a message of cautious generosity:
“I let my guard down. I was trusting, so I don’t feel I was stupid. I feel like I was being generous. I was being trusted, because I would never do that to anyone, but I know I’ll never do it again.”
Her story serves as a reminder to Baltimore residents and mobile payment users everywhere to stay vigilant and protect their digital finances from fraudsters.
What do you think about this incident? Have you ever encountered a similar scam? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!
