Re: What would you have done???(long)

I wouldn't...but only b/c I've been scammed before! I was in the city, in my car, waiting on line at a light to get into the midtown tunnel and a man came over to me and did the same thing....said his car was broke down around the block and needed $$ (he had a much more elaborate/believable story and I believed him) so I gave him some...$20 no less!! Then after he left a guy in a town car (car service type guy) yelled to me that that guy is on the street every day trying to collect. I was so ******!!!! I'll never do that again.

Re: What would you have done???(long)

I have seen a scam like this before.
I was coming out of a store and a man came up to me and said he ran out of gas and he's been stuck in the parking lot for over an hour with his newborn in the car.

I told him I didn't have any cash on me. But when I got to my car where my DH was waiting I told him to go and give the guy a few bucks my DH told me no. I asked him why and he said " well look who just drove away" when I looked it was the man driving away.
So much for not having enough gas and it didn't look like he had a infant car seat in the car so who knows if he even had a baby with him.

Ever since that day I refuse to give out money. You just never know anymore.

Re: What would you have done???(long)

Re: What would you have done???(long)

Scam city.

Re: What would you have done???(long)

Yes, unfortunately I think it was a scam. There is this lady that does the same thing at a Deer Park gas station. She'll come over and say her car is out of gas and she has no money and needs a few bucks.. first off.. you need more than a few bucks to get gas...DUH Sadly I think she's a drug addict..

Re: What would you have done???(long)

No- I would think that as soon as I took out my wallet he would grab it and run.


ETA: When people approach me I walk the other way and avoid them. Well unless they were old or kids. I've helped old ladies before.

Message edited 8/1/2007 10:58:18 AM.

Re: What would you have done???(long)

Trust me, that is the oldest story in the book that con artists use. I thought you were about to say they tried to car jack you after you gave them money. Never give money to strangers. Like your mom said "do not talk to strangers." I do not a give a dime to beggars, ESPECIALLY those on the subways. Police always tell you not to. They always say to give to homeless shelters or whatnot. DO NOT FEEL GUILTY! That's what con artists want.

Message edited 8/1/2007 10:58:57 AM.

Re: What would you have done???(long)

scammity scam scam

Re: What would you have done???(long)

I'm sorry, I agree with your DH as well, I wouldn't give the money to him. There is just too much going on in this world for me to believe stories.

I do believe in doing your good deeds, however. I was on the train coming home from the city not too long ago and a young woman and her toddler son boarded the train at the last minute. When when they came around for the tickets, the woman realized she didn't have enough for the fare, so I pulled out money and gave it to him to pay for her and her son. I consider that to be my good deed, but I would not give money to someone who comes up to me on the street.

Re: What would you have done???(long)

I would have offered to let him make a call to someone or help jump start his car but not given him money - I think that's a scam. In all the times I have ever had a problem I have never asked for money..help yes...money no.

Every so often we have a guy come on the train telling us his wallet was stolen and he only has $6 on him..he needs $20 to get home Total scam.

Re: What would you have done???(long)

I'm a s ucker and I would have given them the money.

Re: What would you have done???(long)

I agree with your DH.

I picked up my mom to go to the hospital the day my dad came home after the surgery. She, FH, and I were in our car. A woman ran out into the street to flag us down. She told us her daughter was just hit by a car and is at the hospital -- and she needs money for a cab to get to Winthrop.

I told her we were on our way to Winthrop if she needed a ride. She kept saying no - she really wanted a cab because she had to go to her office to pick stuff up -- Clearly a scam.

If their car had really broken down, chances are they would not be asking for bus fare -- maybe to make a phone call or something, but not for bus fare.