Money scams $$$

I was almost a victim of a money scam at the gas station today. A man and a woman asked me to spare some money because they ran out of gas. Trying to be nice and hoping to not find myself in the same situation , I offered to give them $5-$10 as long as it got them to their destination.

I had no cash so I told the couple to wait after I pump my gas. As I pumped my gas I thought about the different fraud events that have happened to me in the past few years. So I didn't want to swipe my card but I was willing to go inside and buy some gum to get cash back.

The cashier doesnt have a cash back option. I gave the couple a few pennies and nickels that were in my truck. as I started to leave I saw them walk back into the car and drive out.

I decided to follow them to see how far they would go... They went about 4 to 5 miles down the road to another gas station. A bit odd and it seemed as if I was almost part of the scam so I looked it up online and found that other people have been scanned in the same way.

What are your thoughts? Sad you cant even offer help to people who could truly need the help nowadays.

 

Never give cash to anybody, ever. If someone asks for gas I'll swipe my card or pre-pay and stand there while they pump it. If they're begging I'll get some food for them, if possible, and give it to them. I'll never give cash to anyone.

 

It is so weird you posted this.
Last week some 20 something guy approached me in a busy gas station while I was putting gas in my truck.
He had a small gas can & asked if I could spare some cash because he did not have any to fill the can.
I said sure, bring that can over I will fill it after the truck.
I turned around to fininsh & he went somewhere
When I came out the can was on the side of the building.
I waited but he never came back like vanished.
Was going to say something to the owner since it was a shop as well as a gas station but just left.

 

x2

 

had some african american gentlemen tell me a very convincing story with lots of detail and sadness one night at a gas station. they needed some money and i think i gave them two dollars. . . went back to my house and told my roommate and he said they were telling that exact same story to him at a different gas station 4 weeks ago. . . . . i just hope the money i gave them finally gets them where they need to be. begging for 4 weeks sure is a long time. poor guys

 

I never give money. Ill give food if I can.

 

Sure it wasn't another dark skinned race? I mean..I get confused as being Samoan sometimes.

 

Theres a guy outside a local Pool place here....has been trying to get to Fresno for about the last 4-5 weeks since every week his radiator needs repairs......

 

LoL..

 

one time (bout 3-4 months ago) i was coming home for work, stopped at a light i see this lady park her truck (like a 03 f150) in a parking lot RIGHT NEXT TO ME and gets out grabs a sign, the states "homeless, hungry, and need money" she looks at me and points to the sign ... really asshole? shook my head and drove off

 

i sense there's probably some underlying connotation possibly implying that i was implying something with my statement by the way you worded your statement. if that's the case, im missing it. i was just saying there was two black dudes asking me fo money.

 

My dad and I were in houston one day and saw a guy sitting outside a conveinent store begging for cash. So my dad is pretty wealthy and a very nice guy so ofcourse he asks the guy why he wants cash and not food, the guy didnt comment so my dad walks in the store and buys him a large po-boy (ham/cheese) and a drink. we walk outside and my dad hands the guy a bag with all this food and chips and stuff and the guy takes it a flings it back at my dad as he says" i want the fucking cash bitch, i need booz" moral: you can figure it out for yourself... since then. i dont give a penny out to anybody on the street. i give to local charities but never to one single person...

 

^^^^ That happened to me as well but in front of a grocery store. Really puts a damper on someone trying to help out with nutritious foods. Since then I carry around job applications in my bag and hand them THAT instead.

 

Working at a gas station i see this a lot. I chase these type of people off the lot about once a month and I know my coworkers do about the same. I've chased the same kid off the lot about 4 or 5 times in the last year and I know he has been chased off more then that.
Usually when cash is involved, customers will put cash on the pumps for them, they pump one dollar to make it look like they are putting it in their gas tank. When the customer leaves they hang up and come inside to get the change. Then they go talk to another customer to try and get more money. I've also seen the gas tank scam. Had a kid try and pull it twice in the same week. Was busy the first time and only saw him talk to one customer. The second time I saw him talk to two and chased him off. Its sad to see this and would suggest to anyone who runs into these people to not give them anything and tell who ever is working at the station. They will chase them off the lot or call the cops for trespassing .
Its sad but it seems many people have a false sense of entitlement these days and don't wont to work for their money.

 

So much WIN!!!

 

Yeah it is very common. One of the salesman that work with ran into someone who stated he needs money to go to one destination. He ran into this guy again a week later and this time it was another destination. He called the guy out on it and he left.

 

There is a gas station on the one corner near my work (in the hood) and there is a probably a new guy/gal there every week trying this scam. I stop at the light, and they tell me there sad story how they are out of gas, now if the story is creative and or amusing, I give them a dollar or 2. Its worth it for my entertainment. One guy a few weeks ago told me he was a professor at Pitt, and he was on his wa to see his wife, and went into this long thing, I actually sat through a light listening, lol. I gave him $3!

 

Dont know why it reminded of the 16 year old kid who posted something in the lines of making sure his tacoma was locked before he spoke to some hispanic males about off roading and admiring his tacoma...

 

Had a guy stop me at walmart. This is one of the worst walmart's in town for the type of people that are there. I was still in my work attire (Business Casual). I think he figured easy target. He gave me some sob story about being a Veteran and he need money for gas to get home. Even showed me his Vet card. He showed it so quick i'm not even sure it was a vet card or if it was even him. I dont' carry cash so it was an easy decision for him. I told him I needed to get gas as well and to meet me at the gas pump in front of walmart. I was going to fill up his tank. He agreed and i went and filled up and he never came. I just saw him preying on others looking for money.

I refuse to give them money. The ones i really hate are the ones begging for stuff and they have a dog with them. I've gone and got dog food for them but still won't give them cash.

 

Sir? Could you help me out? I'm trying to get first class air fare to Atlantic City to fight Mike Tyson. Anything will help. Please?
This is why I fill-up on base.