i've been scammed

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I have had this happen several times. They all 'recently' moved in when pressed, and won't give an actual street address.

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!!!!!

 

[krismom]

I had someone on a street in NYC throw and apple at me after I gave it to him- after that, I am a bit jaded in my panhandling donations....

But I do remember a story about a guy who was scammed out of hundreds of dollars for a "child with a brain tumor" - when the police came to his door to tell him of the scam he replied, "you mean there isn't a child with a brain tumor- that's wonderful!"

 

[audrabolster]

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.

He had paperwork and all, but had you heard of the group he was raising money for? Everyone knows that the salvation army and the girlscouts are valid groups. I'm talking about smaller groups, etc.

In future, ask for a business card and website, etc. As for a receipt as donations are tax deductible!

 

[6Smiles]

Wow - I am so sorry you got scammed! My husband used to manage convienence stores here and would help out when he could. One day a guy was pan handling on the corner so my husband helped him out by giving him a sandwich and drink. Fine right...did a good deed? When he was leaving work he saw the same "Homeless" guy getting into a corvette! He still helps people out because it is the right thing to do and you never know when you might just make someones day

 

[Scrapologist]

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.

My husband and I are the same way. We always give a dollar or whatever to whomever asks us, but that is just the way we are. If it is a scam, well then, they must need that dollar more then I do, if not, then I at least could help someone. That's just me, though, as well.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

My husband and I are the same way. We always give a dollar or whatever to whomever asks us, but that is just the way we are. If it is a scam, well then, they must need that dollar more then I do, if not, then I at least could help someone. That's just me, though, as well.

I'm sorry; I don't understand this sentiment. If you replaced the word "dollar" with the word "kidney", would you still feel the same way?

I am a VERY big fan of watching every penny, and watching it go to some lazy bum is just beyond me...

 

[Chicago526]

I don't ever give to people collecting for charity in public, if it's a group I've never heard of I have no idea if they are legit, if it IS a group I've heard of, well, I have a list of charities I regularly donate to on my own, so all our charity dollars go to those. The one exception are the Salvatin Army kettles at Christmastime, those I'll toss in whatever I've got in my pockets. In fact I go out of my way to make sure I have change, since I don't carry much cash.

 

[Mickey1974]

I work at a church and you wouldn't believe the stories we hear from people who are asking for money! Our rector has a fund that he will give out to those in need...and some of them truly could use the help. But there is a vast majority who don't and just abuse the funds to feed their habits. We are in a fairly large city, in the downtown area and our building is under security...one guy actually said he needed communion just to get in the door. Once he was inside he flat out said he lied and just wanted money instead. I've had people tell me that their kids were hungry and needed food so I've gave them food only to see them hop into a Lexus with their buddies and take off down the road. We don't stop giving here because we would hate to deny the people that actually need it. But it just sucks that there are people out there who need to lie and steal.

 

[SnowWhite607]

I am sorry you got scammed but you know what they say about karma..

 

[Scrapologist]

I'm sorry; I don't understand this sentiment. If you replaced the word "dollar" with the word "kidney", would you still feel the same way?

I am a VERY big fan of watching every penny, and watching it go to some lazy bum is just beyond me...

No, I wouldn't, but I have every right to give a dollar to someone. It is only a dollar, not a kidney and you can watch what you do with your dollars any way you want to.

 

[sunnyday123]

I've had people hit me up at the gas station for money, they are "only a few bucks short", a lady hit me up at Kohls to get her lawaway ( our kohl's doesnt have layaway) and strung out kids trying to sell magazines when I lived in an apartment. I don't know WHY they are asking me....hellooo, single Mom here. I have no problem helping someone if they truly need help, but at some point you have to draw the line or everyone will take advantage of you.