I tried to do something nice and I got scammed (RANT)

[Anonymous]

My former coworker's heroin addict daughter used to run a similar scam at Union Station. She looked like any normal girl in her mid 20s. She made a ton of money $5 at a time and was able to keep her habit up for a long time this way.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I was afraid to confront him because he probably had a knife or screwdriver or something other instrument.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, even if his "story" wasn't true, he was still someone who needed the money. It's not like a tax accountant who lives in Bethesda and has a lawn service just felt like standing outside of CVS asking for money. So you did a good deed in my book in any case and hopefully won't stop trying to help people who need it.

Nope. Could be for drugs, could be just because he's lazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm so fucking pissed. Scratch that, I'm actually really sad because the following incident will make me a cold unfeeling person.

So I walked out of a certain CVS and a man approached me and started telling me a story about how he is a mechanic and he left his phone and wallet in a car of his that broke down a few miles up the road. Yes alarm bells went off, but he seemed so believable and sincere. So I asked him what he needed. He said he need a few dollars to take a bus back to Md. I had 20 in cash and gave it to him. He thanked me profusely and again seemed so genuine and I really felt good about helping someone who seemed down on his luck, because I've been there when we were growing up. Well I just decided to drive back by the CVS after about 5 minutes just because I wanted to make sure he was all right and what did I see, the guy doing the same act not too far away from the CVS.

I would have confronted him and got my 20 back.

and risk getting stabbed or shot. This is DC people

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm so fucking pissed. Scratch that, I'm actually really sad because the following incident will make me a cold unfeeling person.

So I walked out of a certain CVS and a man approached me and started telling me a story about how he is a mechanic and he left his phone and wallet in a car of his that broke down a few miles up the road. Yes alarm bells went off, but he seemed so believable and sincere. So I asked him what he needed. He said he need a few dollars to take a bus back to Md. I had 20 in cash and gave it to him. He thanked me profusely and again seemed so genuine and I really felt good about helping someone who seemed down on his luck, because I've been there when we were growing up. Well I just decided to drive back by the CVS after about 5 minutes just because I wanted to make sure he was all right and what did I see, the guy doing the same act not too far away from the CVS.

I would have confronted him and got my 20 back.

Uhmmmm...not a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, even if his "story" wasn't true, he was still someone who needed the money. It's not like a tax accountant who lives in Bethesda and has a lawn service just felt like standing outside of CVS asking for money. So you did a good deed in my book in any case and hopefully won't stop trying to help people who need it.

Nope. Could be for drugs, could be just because he's lazy.

Doubt that it was for drugs. Once they have enough for their fix, they're gone.

[Anonymous]

Was this a middle aged vietnamese guy, gas station shirt, in the Baileys/ 7 corners area of VA? I might have run into this same guy a few weeks back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eh, you gave someone 20 bucks. Thing is, he probably needed it. I'm not saying what he did was right, but I wouldn't give it another thought OP.

Agree. He would not be doin that if he didn't need money. Some people have a "survival mentality" where almost anything goes - you say whatever story you think will get you money - he doesn't think he will get the money
another way - at this time. He is probably not a bad person which is why you felt that he was 'sincere'.

[Anonymous]

I know it doesn't get you your $20 back, but think about how shitty his life must be that he's had to resort to this kind of lying and deceit in order to provide a living for himself and possibly children. These days, people will resort to anything in order to survive.

It is a lesson in discernment for you. Take your lumps.

[Anonymous]

Of course, we should all be careful and have a little street smarts, but I decided a long time ago not to blame myself for doing the right thing just because somebody else didn't. You learned a lesson, OP, but the lesson is not to harden your heart. Yes, no good deed goes unpunished, but that doesn't erase the good deed in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone once told DH and I he was out of gas. We went up to him a few minutes later and offered him $10 cash. He said he would mail us the $, he never did. I don't know if it was a scam, but like a PP said, I'm glad to be trusting and a kind person then a cynic.

Same thing just happened to me in four corners in ss!

[Anonymous]

Yes, I gave $5 in a similar situation. (Others may remember the safeway-apron guy telling a sad story between Farragut North and Foggy Bottom.) The same man approached me a block from the original location, a week later. I told him off on the second occasion, but I didn't beat myself up for the first handout. I always try to give the benefit of the doubt.

[Anonymous]

Once I was asked by a man in a wheelchair for money, but didn't look at him. As I was walking inside he asked for a sandwich. I felt bad and I bought him a sandwich. He was really thankful and I was glad I went against my gut that day. Don't worry OP, your kindness doesn't go unnoticed.

[Anonymous]

When I was visiting DC for my Presidential Management Fellowship interview, I was at Huntington Station and misunderstood the all-day pass and used my last $5 to buy one (There was no ATM at Huntington and I planned to get more cash in DC). Since it was rush hour, it didn't work, and I had to beg passersby until someone threw me a few bucks (this was pre-credit card machines in the metro). It was embarrassing, but I am eternally grateful for that person, since ten years later I'm still with the Federal Government. I tend to be cynical too, but I try to remember that day and help others when I can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:only donate to the needy through vetted channels like a church or charity

Yes, exactly. Also, as a city dweller who sees countless suburbanites giving cash to "needy" individuals on the street, I'd like to make a special appeal that you only give folks to panhandlers in your own neighborhoods. Thank you.