Would you let a stranger use your cellphone if they ask to?

I will help him if he/she looked innocent or something like that and I will observe the way of behaviour also, actually I too behave like you only in those scenarios but once I faced same situation i.e. asking some ones phone to send a msg to my brother but I asked that inside an IT PARK so others will trust us, so I realise that when it comes to me, so I will help him/she by giving my phone.

No,for the reasons already given, plus there are numbers he can ring that are scams that will charge you huge amounts of money automatically. The only exceptions I would make are an elderly person obviously in difficulties (they couldn't run off) or a mother with children who needs help for some reason. I wouldn't use my phone in public either, it is asking for trouble.

No I won't give my phone. It is better be safe. You really can't tell what's the real intention of strangers. Just last Saturday, while I was walking, a middle-aged woman approach mo and ask me where I am going. I don't know her so I just keep on walking and I noticed she was somewhat following me. I walked a little fast and I never turn my back again until I reached a safe area. I saw her approaching another woman again. I hope she's not into scam.

Yes,it totally depends on the situation.He might be the good guy who really need to make that call or he might also be the bad guy with criminal intentions.It's really hard to differentiate who is good and who is bad.But,what if he is really good and we hesitate to help him.This might someday happen to us too.What if nobody helps us then!!So,i don't wanna take a chance.If someone asks for help,i definitely will.

I will not also let any stranger used my phone. He will either make a run for it once he got it, or secure my number and use it for goodness knows what kind of scam. I would have also said the same, or if it's at the mall like that, suggest he go to the information center and ask assistance and permission to use their phone. I know thy have phones there and they let the public use it for free in case of emergencies.

I did this once when i went to a marriage party there i found a lady, she was crying a lot because her mobile was fallen somewhere . When i heard this i got petty on her and i told her to call someone from her home so that they can go to the police station and register her complain . She tanked me for my help and told me that she can never forget me for this.

If he wanted to use the phone, and he had to tell someone, he could have given you the number and tell you what he wanted to say and you could have done it for him. But I suppose he was a thief and would have run off with your phone. And if it were an emergency, would he not have gone to a police officer and tell him?

No, but I would ask the stranger if I could call someone for him or her. If it is really important, he or she will accept, if it was a scam or not important, the offer will be turned down..

Well, I think it depend on the situation and the expression of the stranger who borrow and use my cp. But if I look on the expression is not a person of being trustworthy I can't allow that person to touch my cp.

On impulse, most probably I wont trust him too. But maybe if he looks like he really needs to, i'll consider the situation, that is ask if he has no cp; look around if the place would allow him to escape easily; ask him why and let him explain; will do the texting for him without handing over my phone to him.

I think it depends on the situation.The kind of person and where I am. If someone is really in need I would or I would make the call for that person. I don't think they use your phone to get the numbers more to steal the phone, use your credit etc.. if it comes to stealing the phone. I also don't think I would run after that person. What I do is I delete all messages from my phone frequently and I wrote down all phonenumbers elsewhere. Also I don't have an expensive phone with all these kind of options people seem to "need" nowadays to belong to the group. My phone is just there in case of need and I use it as a phone, sometimes I use the alarm option or calculator. That's it. BTW I was once in need and I could use someone elses phone, I did pay for making the call. To make a long story short I would let someone use it if it comes to it, but I would dial the number I quess

Yes it did happened to me once. Not in the Philippines though. It happened several years ago. There was an Egyptian guy whom I asked for directions. Then he borrowed my phone to call a friend. I have less balance on my phone but since I feel it is important I let him use it. I felt like he will not runaway from it. After using my phone, he tried tobe friends with me. And followed me until I felt he is a bit dangerous. And he is indeed dangerous. I just thought we really must choose whom to lend our stuff. And most especially whom to speak too.

This is a hard decision to be made. Sometimes the person may really be in need to make a call or message. But there are just more and more of those crimes too. I think I will look at the surrounding to make sure it would be safe and if the person only wishes to text someone, I would help him to text. If you wish to speak in phone, we call for the person and turn on the speaker so that the person would not be able to get a hold on our phone.

I've had a similar experience and did the same as you, told the person that I had no air time.

I'm pretty sure I would never hand over my phone to a stranger for anything. If it was a friend or a family member, that would be different but give my phone to a stranger, No Way!

I used to have a pre-paid phone so that made it a little easier to say no. I have let one or two people use it before, but lately people are having to deal with the possibility of their phone being stolen more and more often.

Has cellphone theft been common in Phillipines? Has it been an issue for someone to run away with other people's cellphone? Why did he want to text instead of call? What is the significance of texting? Is it expensive to just call?

yes, this is common these days, we cant believe any strangers, actually this kind of incident happened with a boy near our house, the boy was going on his bike, on the heavy traffic road, suddenly a teenager, came from somewhere, as asked him lift, the boy thought , the teenager might have some urgent work ,so gave lift. As they were going on the bike, they came across a signal point, so the boy stopped the bike, the road with heavy traffic, the teenager suddenly snatched the cell phone,which is in the boy's pocket,and ran away, the boy is in shock for some time, but couldn't get the teenager, as the road is busy, and h in in the middle of the road, by the tome he realized his cell phone is gone, the snatcher already crossed the road and went away ,as if nothing has happened, the boy recently came to my house and narrated the whole story to my mother. such things have become common these days, we should be very cautious.

I have not personally experienced that, no. I will only hand over my cell phone to someone I know and then stand and wait for it. I would not say give it to me later or anything like that. You should just say kindly that you do not have your cell with you... and don't walk in the street and text. It makes you a target.

I learnt the hard way never to trust anyone with my cell phone when I went to see a guy about a job and as I was writing down my credentials, he asked if he could use my phone to check on his wife who was about to have a baby and I fell for it and he stepped out to make the call and he never came back. If I ever meet someone who looks to have a genuine problem, then I will ask them to give me the number of the person they need to reach and I make the call for them.. no touching my phone.