Unbelieveable!

[Libby]

I had just popped out to top off my gas and fell into the temptation of the golden arches. As I pulled out from the gas station to cross the street to the fast food joint to get some french fries....I'm at the drive through window waiting for them to be cooked. This woman pops up from nowhere and is doing a crazy lil 'how do I get your attn, Im friendly, I just want to talk with you' dance. I look at her and ask the clerk at the drive thru window if she knew this person dancing in front of my car. We both look at her and she tries to squeeze up to the actual drive through window to talk with us. Both the clerk and I retreat into the safety of our vehicles and shut the window only leaving a crack to talk.

She claimed she ran out of gas and wondered if we were able to spare 'just $5' so she can have enough gas to get home. She points to the gas station where I just came from telling me that the clerk turned her away and that she was desperate. Feeling sad for the woman I thought ok '$5 won't kill me, right?' I told her to meet me across the street back at the gas station where I had just come from. She gives me this blank deer in headlight stare and walks away saying 'Thank you'.

The fries took unusually long to cook, so I kept waiting. I saw 2 cars pull out from the fast food parking lot - a Cadillac Escalade and a Jeep Liberty. Both cars had a passenger get in before exiting the parking lot. I wasn't able to see if one of them was her.

Finally the fries are ready and I drive over to the gas station where there were no cars. I walk in and talk with the clerk. He thought someone was wrong b/c I had just left. I asked about the woman and he said he hadn't seen anyone like that tonight.

Wow - so from what I gathered...this woman was desperate for $ and not for gas? My area of town is not a shady area like which this woman looked like she was. I guess she was feeling too honest to take me up on the $5 for her gas.....BECAUSE SHE DIDNT NEED GAS! *shakes fist*

I understand people in need are among us. It's hard to ask for help let alone a handout at times. But when people TRY to take advantage like this.....I'm sure something down the road will make them pay for the people they've taken advantage of.

[mauimagic]

Sad commentary on what's happening in the world. I noticed when I was on the mainland that people were not afraid to come up to anyone at gas stations and ask for money. What is it about gas stations?

[AnW819]

Wow...that is rediculas. Its a good lie though because if anyone told me they had no gas to get home I would give them the money because thats a terrible feeling, but you never know. I always want to give homeless people some money but just can't do it because you never know what they are going to do with it, kwim?

[sinopa27]

I saw this happen at my local mall. Someone told me that they were out of gas and needed a few dollars. I said, no. Then as I was leaving I saw her get into a nice ACURA and then pick up others as well. SCAM!!

[Dixie]

I was taken advantage of a while back at the Walgreen's parking lot. My dh and I were sitting in the car when a woman approached us with the 'I'm outta gas, have no money, can you give me a few bucks' story. Dh said no, but stupid me, gave her a few dollars. Dh is from NYC and has seen his share of this scam, but he didn't say ' I told you so', when we saw her approach several other people in the next few minutes.

[Libby]

I know I shouldn't judge her by her car etc b/c maybe that is the reason she is in debt but I'd rather help by giving the thing she needed or has asked for vs just the cash.

I see squatters downtown all the time and I offer them whats left of my pack of gum or my granola bar or juicebox when they say they 'need $ for food'. I figure with cash, that would only help enable their bad habit, if they had one.

[Neeley]

We use to have a lady who would hit people up at a local restaurant. She'd come in with grease on her hands and claim her car was "broken down" (BTW - the term "broken down" annoys me on so many levels - almost as much as when someone says "I ain't got no...."). She said she needed a couple of bucks, yadda, yadda, yadda. Once she got a few dollars, she got into her car (that was suppose to be "broken down") and drove off. It really made me angry.

There was also a couple of guys in a beat up old truck who would hit up people in the Publix parking lot. DH and I always went in to tell the manager there were folks panhandling in the parking lot. He made them leave the property every time.

I give few dollars to certain people now and then. It all depends on the vibe I get off of them, the situation, or the setting we are in. Once there was a man, who was obviously mentally disabled, directing everyone into their parking spaces at the power company. I sat in my car, watching him for about ten minutes. I saw him ask a person or two for some change (I read lips very well). A couple handed him some coins, but most ignored him. His demeanor never changed, even when he thought no one was watching him. In the end I had DS hand him three or four dollars for me. Gave a young girl with a sign that read "living on a prayer - anything helps - no matter how small" three dollars last week. She was close to DD's age and that tugged at my heart strings. Three bucks makes no difference to me, but I can hope and pray she used it to put a little food in her belly...or call home.

[NikoSan999]

Figure they hit up a hundred people a day at $5 a whack...that's $500 buck a day clear money. $3500 a week.
Hey we could all be out of debt real quick.

[Dancing Lotus]

Same thing happened to my dad. He was working in his yard when a woman asked him for gas money. He gave her money. About twenty minutes later a man came around and asked. This time he wasn't' fallen for it. He offered to meet him at the gas station. The man turned down his offer. I guess the couple didn't discus who was going to take which house, LOL

[Dancing Lotus]

Figure they hit up a hundred people a day at $5 a whack...that's $500 buck a day clear money. $3500 a week.
Hey we could all be out of debt real quick.

Hey that's how those send a dollar in the mail things work.

[Lora88]

I know I dont live in a very affluent area but I am never approached for a handout. maybe Nj social services are actually helping someone? I hope so because my taxes are killing me lol

[savvy_sniper]

How about the people standing on the street corner with signs that say something like, "Will work for food, God Bless.", etc. They never want the food I offer them. They always want money! One of the local TV stations checked out a couple of these people and they are PROFESSIONAL panhandlers and make more money that I do!

It REALLY pisses me off when I see parents with their kids on street corners with signs asking for money to go to the state playoffs or something along that line. I tell the PARENTS of these kids that they are teaching them to BEG and get something for nothing. I also tell them to have a car wash, garage sale, spaghetti dinner, cake sale, etc. I REFUSE to give them money.

Hubby and I know where there are legitimate homeless people (and their animals). They are quite happy for the food we give them.

[sahm2boys]

my husband stopped an offered one a real job and that just pissed the guy off

[JanieD]

Its a sad world we live in when we can't help those in actual need since there are many just trying to scam us. Honestly, I'd be concerned about my safety is someone started to approach me. I wouldn't miss a few dollars, but how do you know who really needs it? Guess, this is why I'm more likely to give to those I know are having a tough time or through an organization.

[Contrary Housewife]

Panhandling for "gas money" is a common scam. I've seen in many times over the years and in different cities. Dh has occasionally offered to put gas into their car... but not one has taken him up on it yet.