[bestmickey]

Returning to car after shopping in Bed Bath & Beyond, we were approached by a man (65ish?) wearing a veteran's baseball cap. He starts off with an apology for having to approach us, going on about he's with his daughter, his dad had an auto accident (car flipped over), was airlifted to some trauma center...yadayadayada. Bottom line, they need money for gas so they can get to the hospital. I didn't believe his spiel as it seemed well rehearsed, and I felt if he was indeed in this situation, he had other family and/or friends he could call for $$. I told him I couldn't help him and he returned to a very new (gold or beige colored) truck.

Have you encountered this guy? Is he known in this community as a scammer? What would you have done?

[mixsonci]

Originally Posted by bestmickey

Returning to car after shopping in Bed Bath & Beyond, we were approached by a man (65ish?) wearing a veteran's baseball cap. He starts off with an apology for having to approach us, going on about he's with his daughter, his dad had an auto accident (car flipped over), was airlifted to some trauma center...yadayadayada. Bottom line, they need money for gas so they can get to the hospital. I didn't believe his spiel as it seemed well rehearsed, and I felt if he was indeed in this situation, he had other family and/or friends he could call for $$. I told him I couldn't help him and he returned to a very new (gold or beige colored) truck.

Have you encountered this guy? Is he known in this community as a scammer? What would you have done?

I think every year they come up with a new story. A few years ago in Boston throughout the city you would find a college age female with a sign saying she was from California and her boyfriend (in Boston) threw her out and she has no family or friends here and could we give her money to help her get back to California.

[Parker]

Total baloney. Good for you seeing right through him.

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by bestmickey

Returning to car after shopping in Bed Bath & Beyond, we were approached by a man (65ish?) wearing a veteran's baseball cap. He starts off with an apology for having to approach us, going on about he's with his daughter, his dad had an auto accident (car flipped over), was airlifted to some trauma center...yadayadayada. Bottom line, they need money for gas so they can get to the hospital. I didn't believe his spiel as it seemed well rehearsed, and I felt if he was indeed in this situation, he had other family and/or friends he could call for $$. I told him I couldn't help him and he returned to a very new (gold or beige colored) truck.

Have you encountered this guy? Is he known in this community as a scammer? What would you have done?

This happened to me a couple of different times at gas stations. I was a gave them a few bucks because they wouldn't leave me alone. Always felt scammed afterwards though when they went on to the next person.

[ugotme]

In addition, I have this wonderful bridge in Brooklyn that I desperately need to have fixed.

Please help!

[kstew43]

same story, to the letter, different day.....behind the cracker barrel, came at us from nowhere. we also said no, seemed kind of strange that he only needed gas money......

it never stops..... but if we keep saying no, maybe they will get the hint and go away....

[Irishmen]

Same here......guy walks up saying he was a veteran and had some ID to prove it.....needed cab fare to get to Leesburg....said didn't have any......see him get on bike and pedal away.

[graciegirl]

These are things we should share so as to warn people. You are a kind person BestMickey because your instinct was to help but Thank Goodness you could see through it.


Some people could make a lot of money legitimately in the time and effort it takes to scam people. They have NO conscience.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by ugotme

In addition, I have this wonderful bridge in Brooklyn that I desperately need to have fixed.



Please help!

I think it is owned by the Brooklyn Bagel Company, isn't it?

[USSGompers]

Wow, 65 yrs old and does not have a credit card to purchase gas? Plus his Dad must have been 85 yrs old?

If that were true, these 2 were wasting valuable time bumming $$ when they should have been on their way to Ocala or Orlando hospital before Dad passed away!!

If they did not have a credit card, then they should have been at a Pawn shop selling their watches and rings, etc.

[Ron1Z]

We had the same thing a few years ago visiting the villages, wife gave him ten bucks to get rid of him. We do not have that kind of thing where we live. We were also shocked to see the people with the signs saying "have not eaten in two days".

[Bogie Shooter]

Call the police? Call the sheriff?
Giving them $ is not solving the problem.

[raynan]

Same thing happened to us last year near Sakura in the Colony parking lot. He was approaching people as they entered the restaurant. I told the bartender and he called the sheriff's office. Same spiel....needed gas money to get to Orlando because dad had been rushed to hospital.

[Edjkoz]

I have had this happen and offered to walk to the gas station with them and pay for gas. Naturally, he said never mind and walked away. I kinda knew it was a scam

[ohiogolf]

It happened to me in the Starvos Pizza lot. It was a woman who needed cab fare to see her mother in the villages. I told her good luck.