Money for gas scam?

[a08335k]

Anyone ever approached by random people for gas money? Just this past week it happened to me 3 times with either a story of lost wallet and need to go home or work. My knee jerk reaction has been to help by giving a few dollars but I feel by doing this I am supporting these scammers. Also sucks that someone genuinely in distress might be considered a scammer since it is getting so prevelant here.

I was just approached this evening and I politely refused but my conscious is killing me on whether the guy really needed help even though he had some baller rims on his truck

What would you guys do in this situation or have done in the past? Lots of crazies out there....how to tell if someone really needs help or not..

[335twins]

I was approached by this guy needing money for train ticket home, he gave me his number and said he will give me money back, I said ok and gave him $20. I never heard from him and when I tried calling, the number didn't exists. Months go by and guess what, he approaches me again without recognizing me, I told him to wait, went to my car, picked up my small baseball bat I kept in the car, as soon as he saw me coming back with the bat he ran like a little bitch. I never give money to anyone as 99.9 of people are there to scam you...

[amanda hor$t]

there's always the risk of being scammed, if you've been around enough people and just talk to them for a minute, that's usually enough to make a calculated risk.

though if it's just 3 bucks and looks believable enough, something my college roommate used to say: "just let him have it". leave it to the law of large numbers, if it's a professional scammer, sooner or later he'll get busted by someone who won't let it slide.

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by Torxist

So you've discovered pan handlers?

[Ehwnnc]

Had a guy the other day approach me saying he was military and him and his wife needed gas money bc he didnt have his wallet blah blah said he would wire me money. I just told him im as broke as he is and wished him luck

[KingOfJericho]

I just tell them I don't carry cash.

The next best thing to do in those situations when they're asking for money for the train, etc. is to offer to buy it for them. They don't expect that response and it gets very awkward for them since they have no interest in a ticket/gas/sandwich and only want the cash. Even buying it for them is not advisable as that could lead you being mugged when you pull out your wallet. Best advice is to tell them to fuck off... nicely, of course.

[smyles]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

The next best thing to do in those situations when they're asking for money for the train, etc. is to offer to buy it for them...

/\ THIS /\

[kevinbahnz]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I just tell them I don't carry cash.

The next best thing to do in those situations when they're asking for money for the train, etc. is to offer to buy it for them. They don't expect that response and it gets very awkward for them since they have no interest in a ticket/gas/sandwich and only want the cash. Even buying it for them is not advisable as that could lead you being mugged when you pull out your wallet. Best advice is to tell them to fuck off... nicely, of course.

I offer to buy them food all the time when they have a sign asking for money to buy food. If you have left overs ask them if they want it. Most of them wont take it because they want the cash because that's how they make their living.

[RandomHero]

I give out money for gas all the time, but then again, a Nigerian Prince I met on Craigslist just selected me to inherit his $10 million fortune.

[MediaArtist]

It's happened to me twice in OC. I always give just enough for 1/2 a gallon of gas. So $2 both times. The first guy didn't complain. The second guy questioned whether it would be enough to get him home 10 miles away, but I told him that's all the cash I had.

[a08335k]

Not new to pan handlers reaching out but it's just too prevelant now and esp in Orlando it's every where..gas stations, shopping malls, fast foods etc. guess its a easy way to make money.

[PINeely]

I always just say I don't have cash. Another fun one is to ignore their question and ask if they know where to get some dope.

[Judge]

Originally Posted by a08335k

My knee jerk reaction has been to help by giving a few dollars but I feel by doing this I am supporting these scammers.

That knee jerk reaction to help people is how scammers make an easy buck pulling the heart strings of gullible people. They don't hold up "God Bless" signs because they genuinely care about your relationship with the lord.

[PSUSMU]

Fuck everyone. You're not getting my shit.

[whats77inaname]

I like to believe that what goes around, comes around, so if I can help someone out, then it'll come back round.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by whats77inaname

I like to believe that what goes around, comes around, so if I can help someone out, then it'll come back round.

I don't think giving a junkie money for smack would be considered a good deed.

[kyle335i]

Never give money to strangers

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I don't think giving a junkie money for smack would be considered a good deed.

I don't give them $. I go to Costco about once a month and pick up granola bars and bottles of water, then rubber band them together. I make sure to keep a couple in my car/truck to hand out.

[ska///235i]

I always tell them theres a new device (CAM - cash advance machine) for cash where they can input their info and the bank will bill them later....then say theres a machine down that street..works everytime

[Colt]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I just tell them I don't carry cash.

Truthfully I never have cash on me. And if I do it's only because I just got paid and the small amount of cash I keep for the weekend goes to the liquor store lol

Originally Posted by kyle335i

Never give money to strangers

. I don't even like giving money to the government, much less someone I don't even know or will ever see again. Majority of them are lying about whatever it is they told you in the first place

[stealth.pilot]

Now that we live in a socialist state, there is no need for direct charity. Just let Obama take care of it!

[amanda hor$t]

^ lol that's a good one, just direct them to socialservices.gov