I was scammed!

**Lady_V** · 01-28-2009, 07:57 AM

Seeing people in military uniform is not uncommon here, as we have an Air Force Base a stones throw away...

The week before Christmas, my family popped over to the Stop & Shop (grocery store) down the street from DD's school on the way home.

Seeing a man sitting INSIDE the grocery store in a uniform collecting money for military families -- I didn't think twice about handing over $5 and wishing I could give more... I'm glad I didn't!!!

It's sad, is the public going to have to ask for valid credentials before giving money?? I assumed the store manager had done that since he was INSIDE the store!!!

UGH~ video is below in case you want to see it. He was found guilty and will be serving a year in prison.

http://www.necn.com/Boston/New-Engla...230344076.html

**Wendy99** · 01-28-2009, 09:03 AM

awwwww people like that ruin it for the people that are really out there. I'm so cautious about giving money now - even with kids coming door to door .. it's sad its come to that. I think your a wonderful person for giving money in this rough economy and I guess in some ways its better to give $5 to a scam artist than walk past someone who really needed it and give nothing ... I'm glad he got a year in jail, but wonder how many other times he has pulled this stunt - some people!! Just remember though your heart was in the right place!

**AmyBoz** · 01-28-2009, 09:08 AM

That's a shame!

**nvmommyx6** · 01-28-2009, 09:15 AM

The real ridiculous part.....a repeat offender and only $500. bail, what a joke our judicial system has become!!

I am sorry your family and town had to be put through crap like that, people like him aught to be actually punished!

**pen32** · 01-28-2009, 10:58 AM

just hope this doesn't discourage you from being as kind as you were in the future...
long story short-
i adopted a dog and brought a bunch of toys/food etc to the shelter that i spent over $100 on becuase i felt bad for the dogs there and they are always soliciting donations...then i went to take the pup home and they gave me a bag of adult dog food that was clearly too large for my pup...i said- please keep it and give it to the pups there, they need it more than he does, i'll buy him his puppy food....they said 'oh please take it, we get so much stuff here that most of it expires before we get to use it'
i was a little put off by that...

**The Muse** · 01-28-2009, 11:16 AM

I'm sorry this happened to you.

**YankeeMom** · 01-28-2009, 04:35 PM

Just before Christmas there was a person going around soliciting cash for Toys for Tots. Only problem was, he wasn't with TfTs! Jerks like that make me really angry!!

**guest002** · 01-28-2009, 04:42 PM

He's lucky he *only* got a year in prison. He could have gotten much more as it is illegal to impersonate military personnel. The only place I give cash on the spot is the Salvation Army at Christmastime.