My wife got scammed yesterday.

[Hector]

The worst is when they beg for money, yet they are smoking cigarettes...yeah...like I'm going to finance their expensive cigarette habit...right...

[MeerkatMego]

There are two women who work the local shopping centers. I have seen them on three separate occassions at three different shopping centers. Each time they give this sob story about trying to get to North Carolina. They've been telling a verication of this story for the last two years. Heck, by now they could have walked there.

I don't mind helping folks who need it but leeches like this that **** me off.

[Megotu]

The needing gas money story is a pretty common dodge...Hear it every couple of days. I like it when they put some thought into the story, personally. Like ninjas and aliens. And the woman who wanted a dollar to pay for a priest to stop the vampires from biting on her lady lumps. I felt bad for the vampires so I did pitch in on that one.

[jessica]

That sucks. I hate when people beg. I never give them money either. I once saw someone in a parking lot begging for money (this was near Christmas last year). I was flabbergasted when this same person took out a cell phone and started talking. Yeah. Like you need the handout. Loser.

[kingdom warrior]

That's a rough lesson....but I hand no stranger money sorry sob stories don't work for me.
Especially cause I've heard and seen so many scams......I'm usually not even nice especially if they're young......

[WannabeMego]

Being a New Yorker and living in NYC you slowly become desensitized by it all...I've heard it all and have a boatload of stories to tell. I fancy myself an expert on spotting the bull*****...and then a new one comes along...LOL.

I will regularly give money to Street Entertainers like Singers, Musicians, & Artists...and I'll never leave food at a restaurant. I'll get a doggie bag and give it to the 1st TRULY homeless person I see (most of the time they're sleeping). I've also been known to buy Coffee, Hot Chocolate, & Donuts in the wee hours of the morning for those that seek the subway shelters in the Winter.

...but if I know you're tryin' to scam me...I'll call you out on it...nice and LOUD so EVERYONE can see and hear. That usually clears the room...LOL.

[toys2cool]

i guess i'm in the minority here but i usually feel bad and give them the $1 at least... i just think if there's a chance they might be hungry then a $1 is not a big deal

[kingdom warrior]

i guess i'm in the minority here but i usually feel bad and give them the $1 at least... i just think if there's a chance they might be hungry then a $1 is not a big deal

Yo D man I just got bit by a radioactive midget I need a 5 spot......hit me up bro........

[Hector]

i guess i'm in the minority here but i usually feel bad and give them the $1 at least... i just think if there's a chance they might be hungry then a $1 is not a big deal

Yo man, I'm hungry.

Please paypal me $1 to...

[email protected]

Thank you...

[Johnny]

[Duncan]

I usually get the same story - "I'm a teacher and I'm from out of town and I need $5 to get home and etc. etc. etc." But, it's always a teacher.

As a packrat, I prefer to give "stuff" to charities that I know will put it to good use, e.g. Toys for Tots. You occasionally see stories about people trying to snag extra toys for their kids, but I guess I can live with that. Just as often you see stories about people who are dirt friggin' poor and wouldn't be able to give their kids anything without Toys for Tots, or the like.

[Goblin19]

I just had a guy try this with me today. Let's just say I'm not so generous. Plus, I've had similar people approach twice in the past.

[Adam West]

Not really a huge deal. My wife was just trying to be a good samaritan and went out of her way to try to help someone who she thought was in trouble. She said it did cross her mind that the person might be pulling a scam but the story sounded convincing. I just thought it was sad that my wife did not have cash on her but went to a local ATM, withdrew cash, drove back, gave it to this person who just walked away without a thank you or anything. That's the sad part. Trying to discern between those in real need vs the scammers. We regularly give to our local food bank which is a blessing to those in need in these times and we do try to be good samaritans...it's stories like this that just turn me a bit sour....but as was already said, my wife gave with her heart and trust and $20 really isn't a big deal to us. It is really more of an issue of trying to help someone who really is in need vs. someone who isn't.

[jimsmegos]

The hardest part for me when it comes to al of this is that one side of me is all "Man you poor guy" while the other part of me is "Up yours pal, I've been flat busted and came back up by working my ***** off". So I don't know it's a tough call really. If I can tell they need a real hand versus a quick fix I do my best to help. It's just sad that we live in a world where this is an issue. But honestly in America you can get back on your feet, maybe not how you would prefer to do it but you can indeed do it.

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

One day when your wife is really in need, someone will help her, what goes around comes around.