General Discussion

Demobrat

(10,264 posts)

32. I've been approached by the same people with the same story over and over.

Thu Apr 10, 2014, 03:43 PM

Apr 2014

There are plenty of scam artists out there. On the other hand, I've had people ask me to buy them food - a burrito or a pizza slice. I always do, and add a can of soda and a cookie. If somebody asks me for food I cannot walk away. Money for gas is a different story. Usually there isn't even a car in evidence.

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I could kick myself. A young woman politely stopped me in food store parking lot, needing money [View all] phylny Apr 2014 OP

You did more than most people would. Tommy_Carcetti Apr 2014 #1

It's okay. You still gave her *something*, right? AverageJoe90 Apr 2014 #2

I think it is great that you didn't question upaloopa Apr 2014 #3

Actually, you did a better thing Warpy Apr 2014 #4

That's a great perspectrive. phylny Apr 2014 #6

The likelihood of such people being scam artists is why I never give to them. Jgarrick Apr 2014 #21

If they are scammers.... ohheckyeah Apr 2014 #25

+1,000 ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2014 #28

I absolutely agree. Jackpine Radical Apr 2014 #51

My dad taught me that lesson long ago ... aggiesal Apr 2014 #61

An excellent thought. Helpful too. GoneFishin Apr 2014 #70

Thank you wryter2000 Apr 2014 #52

+1 n/t JoeyT Apr 2014 #57

Yep, totally agree... awoke_in_2003 Apr 2014 #64

That's the way I've always approached it. Aristus Apr 2014 #67

I assume most people who approach me with a bus/gas money scenario are "scammers" -- however Arugula Latte Apr 2014 #26

I tend to give, regardless of the number of scams in the world. LanternWaste Apr 2014 #27

Me too. I even give to the honest ones who want a bottle, they probably need that bottle Warpy Apr 2014 #47

I've been approached by the same people with the same story over and over. Demobrat Apr 2014 #32

You have to pay close attention.. sendero Apr 2014 #37

You should feel good that you gave...nothing else should matter. blueamy66 Apr 2014 #60

How was she shamed if she was a scammer? arcane1 Apr 2014 #29

She might not.. sendero Apr 2014 #38

Because she took the last few dollars from a real poor person. Warpy Apr 2014 #46

Ahh, go it! That makes sense. arcane1 Apr 2014 #48

Please don't feel bad-at least you cared Stargazer99 Apr 2014 #5

at a gas station a few years back flyingfysh Apr 2014 #7

Good move packman Apr 2014 #8

Don't feel bad, you did more than most would have. notadmblnd Apr 2014 #9

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2014 #10

This message was self-deleted by its author A-Schwarzenegger Apr 2014 #18

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2014 #34

I ran out of gas by accident, called triple A but they never came hollysmom Apr 2014 #20

You did the right thing, in either case. closeupready Apr 2014 #11

You helped. You done good. If there is a next time you'll remember to do it. applegrove Apr 2014 #12

Don't feel bad pinboy3niner Apr 2014 #13

NEVER take a stranger to a cash machine with you. Divernan Apr 2014 #35

Most of us wouldn't have thought of EVERYTHING we might have done; elleng Apr 2014 #14

Yep. Scam. Nye Bevan Apr 2014 #15

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2014 #17

I don't believe a lot of those 'swindler' stories either. Whisp Apr 2014 #22

You did a good thing and you're kicking yourself for not doing a gooder thing. Glassunion Apr 2014 #16

Having worked in NYC for so many years, there were people with well rehearsed scams, hollysmom Apr 2014 #19

Living in San Francisco for a decade has done that to me too. arcane1 Apr 2014 #43

You did a very good thing, more than most people would have. NaturalHigh Apr 2014 #23

How to Spot the "no gas" Travel Scam DesMoinesDem Apr 2014 #24

She said her husband and kids were in the car, they spent all their money and WIC money buying food lunasun Apr 2014 #63

You responded perfectly. SamKnause Apr 2014 #30

Could have been a scam or it could be legitimate. MineralMan Apr 2014 #31

That's how I do too. Once, a guy came to my office on Christmas eve saying he had lost everything, Hoyt Apr 2014 #41

I'm too cynical wercal Apr 2014 #33

if the price for helping others is occasionally being taken for a ride - for me it is a price worth Douglas Carpenter Apr 2014 #36

Yes.. sendero Apr 2014 #40

best answer. Whisp Apr 2014 #53

Not me. Professional scammers are lying sociopaths who are expert at recognizing and preying Zorra Apr 2014 #58

Been in that boat before. Took a young man grocery shopping, and tried to connect GreenPartyVoter Apr 2014 #39

Don't beat yourself up over it, most people would have said they couldn't help Rex Apr 2014 #42

I came out of the docs office last weekend, got in my car and woodsprite Apr 2014 #44

What a great idea! n/t phylny Apr 2014 #62

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2014 #45

It reads like scam. Wash. state Desk Jet Apr 2014 #49

I was hit up at Kroger this past weekend. X_Digger Apr 2014 #65

That is exactly what I meant by be aware of your surroundings. Wash. state Desk Jet Apr 2014 #68

I'm never bothered. It's horribly real, or it's a good story. hunter Apr 2014 #50

It's okay TlalocW Apr 2014 #54

If she was a scammer or not, you showed compassion to a fellow human. SummerSnow Apr 2014 #55

DO NOT BEAT YOURSELF UP OVER THIS!!!! Omaha Steve Apr 2014 #56

Thans for the tip....I'll remember if I get the chance Jake2413 Apr 2014 #59

You did plenty Liberal_in_LA Apr 2014 #66

NEVER give money. If you're gonna give, give the ITEM johnlucas Apr 2014 #69