i've been scammed

[battricia]

News Story

I saw this on the news today and quickly realized that I saw this man one day a few months ago outside of the dollar general. He caught me on a good day because I typically never carry cash but I happened to have a few dollars on me so I gave them to him. He told me his daughter had autism and so he worked with this group that put on a baseball program. He had paperwork just like they showed on the news story, and a yellow envelope that he put the cash in. he had quite a bit of cash in that envelope so I guess I wasn't the only fool. Mostly I'm just mad that the money didn't go to help kids out. But I can't believe what an elaborate story this guy had. What a jerk.

tricia.

 

[NJMomma]

I am so sorry you were scammed, but I am even more sorry this creep used autism as his cover story! Makes people hesitant to help those that are legit...

 

[tinkerjess]

well at least your heart was in the right place and you were trying to do a good thing. i do belive what goes around comes around!!! its just a matter of time before he gets whats coming to him! he must have ripped off alot of money to be on the news!!

 

[battricia]

Yes, I don't even know if the police or news knows about the 'campaigning' he was doing around the grocery store and dollar general where I was at. They don't mention it at all. And it was months ago that I saw him (probably november?) so I can't imagine how much he's gotten since then. What a terrible thing to do.

tricia.

 

[DOOM1001]

I gave a buck to a guy at a red light who said he ran out of gas and needed a couple of bucks.Next day he's at the same exact spot probably pulling the same act.Then again at $4 a gallon maybe it took him that long just to fill his tank 1/4 of the way.I prefer the guys who are at least honest and try to be funny and write on a cardboard "why lie I need a beer",I won't give them any money but I appreciate honesty and humor.

 

[battricia]

Then again at $4 a gallon maybe it took him that long just to fill his tank 1/4 of the way

lol that might have been the case! There was a guy on the street with the same thing just yesterday! I was waiting at the convenience store because there was a sign that said 'back in 5 min' and he came over from the gas station with basically the same story - his car died like 3 blocks from the gas station, though i don't really understand what he planned on doing once he got TO the gas station when he had no money! the other girl waiting gave him money too.

I sometimes give money to kids collecting for their teams and I kind of assumed that this guy i had given money to was the same situation. I guess I should just keep my money and buy a sandwich next time or something.

 

[paysensmom]

My husband and I with our children stopped at a hotel the other night. After we checked in, we drove to the side and parked. As we are getting the children out of the car a lady aproaches us asking for money. She said all she needed was 6 more dollars and she could afford a room at the hotel across the street. I feel bad for people like this, but I just told her that I do not carry cash.
I know there are probably people out there who are genuinely trying to get some help. But I feel that more times than not, they are scammers. I have given food to a man on a corner with a sign and he asked what the heck he was suppose to do with it!!! Ever since then (I was in high school at that time) the ONLY thing I have given to people like that is the classifieds!! Perfect place to find a job!!

 

[jlima]

I gave a buck to a guy at a red light

I NEVER do this anymore.

When we still lived in California, I was waiting at a stoplight at the Cerritos mall and I was first in line. I had a clear view across South St. and watched an older VW Beetle park near the Hofs Hut restaurant, then the driver got out, pressed the walk button to get a signal, walked halfway across South St., then stopped on the median and pulled out a cardboard sign from his jacket. I was livid. If you own a car, then you can get a job, even if it's delivering pizza (DH did it for 4 years in college!) and you don't need to beg on the street. You have no way to know if that person is homeless or a veteran or whatever they have on their signs. There are plenty of nonprofit agencies that provide food & shelter if you are homeless and want help . . . donate your money with a check or on-line to a reputable charity if you want to help the homeless.

 

[torinsmom]

I don't ever give to people on the corner, because I don't want to support anyone's alcohol or drug addiction. I also think opening your window to a stranger is very unsafe. If someone is really needy, they can get help through other channels. My BIL will sometimes ask them if they would like a meal and if they say yes, he'll go to a drive-thru and bring them back a meal. He says he is amazed how many people refuse, which really points out which ones are truly hungry as their sign says.

Marsha

 

[polineedyan]

2 part scam here..Years ago, I worked at a major mexican restaurante..there was a man parked in the handicapped spot, asking patrons as they entered and exited for gas money..knew that was bogus..he had a car-ful of people..
the other time..
a little girl came to the door of my home with a cardboard box. Inside it were a FEW (like 5) misc candies. Like, granola bars ( a box of them), one reeses cup, nuts, none of them had anything in common, and none were duplicates. Only one of each thing. her question was " do you care to help a little girl down on her luck?" Then she gave me a separate price for each. a dollar for the peanut butter cup, 5 for the bars..etc. No paperwork no nothing. Her mother was nowhere to be found, and she wasnt from my neighborhood. I told her to scram.

 

[WendyisDarling]

I am so sorry you were scammed, but I am even more sorry this creep used autism as his cover story! Makes people hesitant to help those that are legit...

As a mom with a child with autism, this makes me mad, too. I have heard many stories now of autism being used for these scams. It's sickening.
I guess because it is so prevelent so many people have someone in their family with the diagnosis or friend...as the saying goes "if you don't know someone with autism, you soon will"...it is a cause that pulls on the heartstrings of many.

I hate to say it, but be careful of donating to autism causes. Even those that seem legitimate should be examined. It's not just folks collecting on the streets, I've read of a few "organizations" claiming to do this or that for kids with autism. They even get state non-profit status. Check them out and you might find they have been in existence for a short time period and have extraordinarily high overhead costs.

There are MANY good organizations, though, that do a lot to help individuals with autism.

 

[karynnix]

I always give, if I have it. You never know when it is a legitimate situation, and I would hate to miss out on helping someone with a REAL need. I don't feel like I am being scammed, because my heart is in the right place. I give because I should. It's not up to me to decide if the person really needs it or not.

That's just me.

 

[accruise]

I talked about this with a minister. I too, wanted to do the right thing. I have come to the conclusion that if it is something that makes you feel better, do it. I have given food and SMALL amounts of money.
I also, know that I have refused when it "didn't feel right". Currently we have taken in a man who needed help to get back on his feet. I am happy to say it is working and he is working.

 

[Took]

"I don't ever give to people on the corner, because I don't want to support anyone's alcohol or drug addiction. I also think opening your window to a stranger is very unsafe. If someone is really needy, they can get help through other channels. My BIL will sometimes ask them if they would like a meal and if they say yes, he'll go to a drive-thru and bring them back a meal. He says he is amazed how many people refuse, which really points out which ones are truly hungry as their sign says.

Marsha"


You know, Marsha, I think you've got the right idea.

I was recently in Cleveland near the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame (very cool, IMHO). Anyway, the city govt had put up signs telling folks it was okay NOT to give money to those on the street. The signs listed legitimate and appropriate ways to give if one was inclined to but suggested that giving money directly to those on the street did not really help most of them or the overall problem of homelessness.

I thought these signs indicated the extent of the problem with scammers and panhandlers in the area.

took

 

[nataliela]

I believe in donating money to an organization, such as a bunkhouse, instead of the actual person begging. The organization will be able to spread the money a lot further than someone looking to buy cigarettes.

I do how ever give money to this one homeless man in my town (small town-yes, we can name most of the homeless people!) He is harmless, just out there. If he is on side the road I will give him a few dollars, or if I have unopened food- a powerade or some chips, I will toss those out to him.


One time on vacation in CA, I barely touched my dinner and asked for it to go. While walking back to the hotel, I realized that we didn't have a fridge, and I would not be eating it that night, so we saw a couple of beggers on the corner- I offered them my food and said its barely been touched, and they turned their noses at it! I left it on top the garbage can incase their changed their minds, but I guess they wanted cash!

 

[audrabolster]

If you ever want to support a cause, contact a valid organization. A valid group would NEVER ask for money outside of Dollar General!

As for giving money to people on the streets, I NEVER do this, because you never know what the money is going for. Our church makes "need packs" which are big ziploc bags that you can store in your car. When you see a homeless person, you give them a bag! It has protein bars, fruit cups, wet naps, a clean pair of socks and other little things like that. Instead of giving them money which might very well go to drugs or alcohol, give them sustenance!

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I had a teenage girl knock on my door and said "I am your neighbor and I'm raising money for a trip to Paris." and I said, oh, hey, I know everyone on this street and I don't recognize you, who's kid are you? Then she turned red and said she lived on the next street, and I said, this is a close neighborhood, I'm sure I'd recognize your family name, which house is yours? and she's like, oh, you don't know us, and I'm like, gee, is that because you're LYING to me? And she just turned around and ran off. Too funny.

What I really wanted to say was, raising money for a trip to Paris? ME TOO!!!!!

 

[Kies99]

They've been doing that for a year or two here in Pittsburgh as well. I work downtown and it must be working as I'm rarely approaced by people nor do I see many on the streets with signs. Then again, maybe I work in the good part of town.

 

[sandisuze]

i could tell stories for days - some are so unreal they are scary
the worst one i have dealt with recently was:
"My name is richard and i have a 5 year old girl- her name is missy she has brain tumors and i want to take her to Disney. Make a wish has a long wait and she wants to go before she dies."
He sounds so real , honest and has every detail down PERFECTLY!
he has researched everything down to the smallest bit. he even has paperwork (false) to show people but it LOOKS so real.
He has scammed over 40 thousand dollars (known anyway- it could be more)from churches and businesses as far away as Tennesee and Kentucky. he is wanted in over 7 states.

but please don't assume that people can get help all the time- i have given up my own lunch or lunch money to many who have no food and the food bank is empty- and so many who don't need it take advantage so those who do need it get left behind.

 

[battricia]

A valid group would NEVER ask for money outside of Dollar General!

What about the Salvation Army? Girlscouts? (I know the girlscouts you actually buy something, but it's similar) Also, there are always kids out promoting their school sport or activity and I honestly just assumed it was one of those things. The guy had paperwork and all. Oh well.

tricia.