What do you think about this situation?

**Xadrian** · 10-12-2008, 04:44 PM

Yesterday my husband and I went to target to pick up a few items. When we came out one of those 'sign this petition' people were standing outside and asked for our signature. It was about more punishment or whatever for sex offenders. I said sure I'll sign. I started to read what it said at the top what I was signing for and the guy kept poking at the paper and said sign your name, your town and address. Real hurridly.
Well he said nothing about filling out this other form. It was a voter registration form. Ok, whatever..I'm new to town and I haven't filled one out here and I thought maybe I should vote this time. Guy is like initial here, sign here, need social security number, address..won't let me read what I'm signing. I tell him a few times "just a sec, I'm a slow reader" and he just keeps on. Then another page with info..it was really dizzing and crazy.

As soon as he was done with me he jumped to another person. My husband and I started walking off but I felt really uncomfortable about the situation ya know? I went back and said I didn't feel comfortable giving out my SS# and other info right now, so can I have my form back please. The guy basically blew up on me infront of other people and started yelling at me "if that's the way your going to be, then I don't want your signature!!" Then threw his papers all over the ground. I managed to retrieve one paper with my info, but he has two other papers with my address still. The guy was scary!

I contacted target and they said since it's the sidewalk they can't do anything because of freedom of speech. They can only do something if it's harassment, and I said it basically was and they took down a complaint. The thing is..the guy asked where we were from and I told him the city name, which was like 4 miles away, and he had never heard of it, my husband asked him about the states procedure on sex offenders and the guy basically told him the wrong info..as if he didn't even know!! So now I wonder if this guy is some identity theft guy. Target however cannot call the police on him and I have no real proof.

Anyway, during this the guy kept telling me to mark republican or "else the sex offenders thing won't get funding" I said I wasn't comfortable marking that and was undecided, he kept on about it. I got some other info on the guy who claims to work for the Young Politican America which their site says they are very democratic.. makes my head explode and doesn't comfort me any. And when I got the form back from the guy he was suppose to sign my registration and tear out a section with a serial number on it for me..which he did not..

Anyway, what do you guys think about this? Identity theft guy? Flat out weirdo? I mean..the topic for signing was so non controversial..I mean who doesn't hate sex offenders? Easy way to get people to sign. On the voter registration form there has a mailing address on it, I think I will contact the registration lady and tell her that there is a guy that stands (apparently regularly) outside of target and what he is doing..not sure if it will do anything, but maybe that will make the lady swing by and investigate. Ideas?

toile · 10-12-2008, 04:52 PM

I thought any kind of activity outside a store had to gain permission in advance?
Like for girl scout cookies even?

The sort if thing you shared makes me want to avoid any kind of group while shopping now LOL.
Tempting girl scout cookies are bad enough!

**LuvMyHubby** · 10-12-2008, 05:02 PM

Interesting, I also thought that anyone who wants to do any activitiy on a store's property needed to permission, perhaps target just didn't want to deal with him.

I don't sign sign referendum petitions or any kind of petitions outside stores. I have have looked over and signed a few referendum petitions at my election polling place, but I am already registered to vote and was free to ask questions and read the petition I was signing.

The guy sounds like a jerk, I doubt that he is after personal information but I would to be on the safe side monitor my credit reports and such for a while.

**hmcart** · 10-12-2008, 05:26 PM

sounds weird to me. I agree that I would just monitor your credit for a while

**ktsmama** · 10-12-2008, 05:30 PM

I would also contact the Voter Registration office in your town. I have read where people are illegally singing up voters. If you feel uncomfortable enough report it to police. If they don't know this is going on, they can not do anything about it.

Good Luck!

**Xadrian** · 10-12-2008, 05:33 PM

I thought so too about Target having to give the people permission to stand outside their store. The manager and security guard says that if they are selling anything -cookies, animals, salvation army santa etc then Target has the right to say no. Manager says Target's policy is no soliciting, but if it's to sign something, opinion based then Target does not own the sidewalk and it falls under freedom of speech and the people can stand out there. They however have to obey a few rules which is don't stand directly in front of the doors (out to the side etc) and do not harass the businesses customers. The manager says this hasn't been the first complaint on those people, they have called the police, but the police cannot do anything to them!

Yah..tell me about those girl scouts! They always target me, I think because of my weight, and figure I'm good for buying a few boxes

If I say no they probably think "ya right lady..as if your really on a diet there.." lol I was in girl scouts, we never stood at the store and sold though, always went door to door, it's when I learned you really shouldn't sell to older people..I found out that one of the people who ordered a lot of boxes had Alzheimers! It was interesting when I went to deliver and get payment! ..

I was little I didn't know what to do or say about the situation

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 10-12-2008, 05:55 PM

Wow...that sounds creepy.

I agree with the others...keep an eye on your credit...

**Karla** · 10-13-2008, 01:24 AM

Creepy!! I would monitor or put a freeze on your credit report, its really to bad someone couldn't put a stop to someone like that...

**guest002** · 10-13-2008, 01:36 AM

Sounds very scammy to me. Never give your SS # to a stranger.

**Nishu** · 10-13-2008, 01:36 AM

you dont need social security numbers to sign a petition, and why would he ask for a petition signing when what he's got is a voter registration form? That's weird.

I"d be concerned.

**shoiji** · 10-13-2008, 11:52 AM

Had something similar happen to me years ago. This guy came to the door looking to register voters. I was in a daze when I answered the door. After he asked if I wanted to register to vote, I didn't hear him well I asked what? He looked at me angrily and yelled at me saying do you want to register to vote. I said NO and closed the door. All I could think of is what the HE!!. Probably would have registered then, but having someone yell at me after ringing MY doorbell really turned me off.

You could always call the local police station and just tell them you have a question about what just happened to you. That way you know what you can or can't do in that situation. You never know, the guy may have other complaints about him.

**sunflowergirl1** · 10-13-2008, 12:35 PM

.........that sounds very weird. I would keep an eye on my credit report and contact the local voter registration to see if they had anybody out trying to drum up voters for them. NEVER!!!!! give out SS# to anybody.

**Megareader** · 10-14-2008, 05:35 AM

I have never seen a petition that asked for your ss number. The ones I have seen just ask for name and address. I'd be super vigilant about monitoring your credit from here on out, that guy sounds pretty suspicious.

**Greebo** · 10-14-2008, 08:23 AM

It sounds too much like a scam to me, as well. I'd call the police and see what they think.

**DonnainME** · 10-14-2008, 09:46 AM

Very weird. I would also keep an eye on your credit report. Mine sucks so bad right now that it wouldn't matter, they would be in worse shape trying to use my ss#. LOL