If two women approach you in Target just to chitchat and get your number, its a scam

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People like this don't talk to me. Work on your look. If you look like a mark, they will approach. I get approached for directions (not as much anymore with GPS nowadays), but never by these types of people. It literally is the way you walk and the look on your face. Not victim blaming--just saying you can train yourself to not even get approached.

This exactly. It’s called personal boundaries. OP sounds like there are none.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This somewhat applies

https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2022/texas-elder-murders.html

This random situation does not somewhat apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Not in the DMV: I was approached at a grocery store by a young 22-25 year old woman, I'm mid-50's. She wouldn't stop asking me about my running shoes. Errrr.....they're nothing special. Brooks.com look it up. Then proceeded to ask me if I run, and where I like to run. I told her I like run with my DH and rottweiler, and got the hell out of there. I had my head on a swivel the entire walk from the store to my car.

Wow. The world is totally f’d. Make friendly small talk with someone and they call the cops on you. SMH

You are all insane. Real criminals are either too sophisticated to waste time stalking people with Air Tags in Target or they are strung out and give zero fcks about just punching you in the face and stealing your bag. Consider how lucky you all are to be so naive.

Where did I say that I "called the cops"? a 22 yr old chatting up a 55 yr old about her old Brooks running shoes and where she likes to run is odd, suspicious, and out of place. So what, I was supposed to ignore my instinct like so many other women do and end up regretting it?

You need to stop being so naive as to think this stuff isn't happening. You do you though. I could not care less.

+1 In Atlanta yesterday, a 77 year old woman living in a gated community was stabbed to death by a young man determined to steal her car.

By someone who placed an air tag in their purse at Target? Nope. By someone who chatted about sneakers? Nope.

You are all paranoid. Car jackers and muggers don’t chat with you they come out of the blue and surprise you and threaten you directly with violence.

I agree with pp who thinks you guys are crazy and paranoid. Are any of you who posted your “getaway” stories wondering how you ALL managed to get away from the secretly dangerous but very innocent looking people who were talking to you in public? Could it be, perhaps, that they were just innocent people?

Come to where I live and witness the larger stores and parking lots limping woman, the man playing a violin, the couple with a stroller, etc-- all of whom try to strike up "innocent" conversations before you see them the following week getting into cars with their cohorts and their day's profits until they get caught. I don't choose to "lose" my bags and wallet that way.

. Unless these limping, violin playing, stroller pushing people approach you at gunpoint (which is highly unlikely) mind your business and keep it moving. You are less important to them than you believe yourself to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New PP here and had to find this post to say OP is 100% correct. I overheard an aggressively friendly woman trying to talk to another woman in the home decor section today at the very same Target, the Mosaic District one. She started commenting on the pillows and then immediately began complimenting the woman and asking if she’s from here. I was at the end of aisle and didn’t budge so I could hear the rest, luckily the other woman broke free when her husband or boyfriend showed up. It was very obviously not someone just trying to be friendly and nice- she had that weird MLM or cult vibe to her I swear. I wouldn’t have thought much of it if I hadn’t read this thread and it’s stuck in my head

Broke free? What in the heck. Drama much. You mean to tell me you could “free yourself” from someone in the aisle of a target?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New PP here and had to find this post to say OP is 100% correct. I overheard an aggressively friendly woman trying to talk to another woman in the home decor section today at the very same Target, the Mosaic District one. She started commenting on the pillows and then immediately began complimenting the woman and asking if she’s from here. I was at the end of aisle and didn’t budge so I could hear the rest, luckily the other woman broke free when her husband or boyfriend showed up. It was very obviously not someone just trying to be friendly and nice- she had that weird MLM or cult vibe to her I swear. I wouldn’t have thought much of it if I hadn’t read this thread and it’s stuck in my head

Broke free? What in the heck. Drama much. You mean to tell me you could “free yourself” from someone in the aisle of a target?

Should read could not free themselves/yourself from the very wide aisles of target? Unbelievable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not in the DMV: I was approached at a grocery store by a young 22-25 year old woman, I'm mid-50's. She wouldn't stop asking me about my running shoes. Errrr.....they're nothing special. Brooks.com look it up. Then proceeded to ask me if I run, and where I like to run. I told her I like run with my DH and rottweiler, and got the hell out of there. I had my head on a swivel the entire walk from the store to my car.

Wow. The world is totally f’d. Make friendly small talk with someone and they call the cops on you. SMH

You are all insane. Real criminals are either too sophisticated to waste time stalking people with Air Tags in Target or they are strung out and give zero fcks about just punching you in the face and stealing your bag. Consider how lucky you all are to be so naive.

Where did I say that I "called the cops"? a 22 yr old chatting up a 55 yr old about her old Brooks running shoes and where she likes to run is odd, suspicious, and out of place. So what, I was supposed to ignore my instinct like so many other women do and end up regretting it?

You need to stop being so naive as to think this stuff isn't happening. You do you though. I could not care less.

+1 In Atlanta yesterday, a 77 year old woman living in a gated community was stabbed to death by a young man determined to steal her car.

By someone who placed an air tag in their purse at Target? Nope. By someone who chatted about sneakers? Nope.

You are all paranoid. Car jackers and muggers don’t chat with you they come out of the blue and surprise you and threaten you directly with violence.

I agree with pp who thinks you guys are crazy and paranoid. Are any of you who posted your “getaway” stories wondering how you ALL managed to get away from the secretly dangerous but very innocent looking people who were talking to you in public? Could it be, perhaps, that they were just innocent people?

Come to where I live and witness the larger stores and parking lots limping woman, the man playing a violin, the couple with a stroller, etc-- all of whom try to strike up "innocent" conversations before you see them the following week getting into cars with their cohorts and their day's profits until they get caught. I don't choose to "lose" my bags and wallet that way.

. Unless these limping, violin playing, stroller pushing people approach you at gunpoint (which is highly unlikely) mind your business and keep it moving. You are less important to them than you believe yourself to be.

PP here. No guns but get very close-- almost in your face and curse you if you don't give money or follow you around the store. You may be finr with that kind of behavior and maybe even grew up with it. I don't want any stranger that close to me.

[Anonymous]

We know. This has been a topic about a million times

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not in the DMV: I was approached at a grocery store by a young 22-25 year old woman, I'm mid-50's. She wouldn't stop asking me about my running shoes. Errrr.....they're nothing special. Brooks.com look it up. Then proceeded to ask me if I run, and where I like to run. I told her I like run with my DH and rottweiler, and got the hell out of there. I had my head on a swivel the entire walk from the store to my car.

Wow. The world is totally f’d. Make friendly small talk with someone and they call the cops on you. SMH

You are all insane. Real criminals are either too sophisticated to waste time stalking people with Air Tags in Target or they are strung out and give zero fcks about just punching you in the face and stealing your bag. Consider how lucky you all are to be so naive.

Where did I say that I "called the cops"? a 22 yr old chatting up a 55 yr old about her old Brooks running shoes and where she likes to run is odd, suspicious, and out of place. So what, I was supposed to ignore my instinct like so many other women do and end up regretting it?

You need to stop being so naive as to think this stuff isn't happening. You do you though. I could not care less.

+1 In Atlanta yesterday, a 77 year old woman living in a gated community was stabbed to death by a young man determined to steal her car.

By someone who placed an air tag in their purse at Target? Nope. By someone who chatted about sneakers? Nope.

You are all paranoid. Car jackers and muggers don’t chat with you they come out of the blue and surprise you and threaten you directly with violence.

I agree with pp who thinks you guys are crazy and paranoid. Are any of you who posted your “getaway” stories wondering how you ALL managed to get away from the secretly dangerous but very innocent looking people who were talking to you in public? Could it be, perhaps, that they were just innocent people?

Come to where I live and witness the larger stores and parking lots limping woman, the man playing a violin, the couple with a stroller, etc-- all of whom try to strike up "innocent" conversations before you see them the following week getting into cars with their cohorts and their day's profits until they get caught. I don't choose to "lose" my bags and wallet that way.

. Unless these limping, violin playing, stroller pushing people approach you at gunpoint (which is highly unlikely) mind your business and keep it moving. You are less important to them than you believe yourself to be.

PP here. No guns but get very close-- almost in your face and curse you if you don't give money or follow you around the store. You may be finr with that kind of behavior and maybe even grew up with it. I don't want any stranger that close to me.

The real question is where do you live? I am in Rockville, Bethesda, potomac and have never experienced this. Not used to before or now. Never.

[Anonymous]

I was just approached in a very similar manner in Unique Thrift. Single woman short, glasses, with dark curly hair - I was very naive, and trying to be helpful, when she asked me for my contact info, I called her so she could have my contact info. She had originally asked me about a church-referenced tee shirt I was wearing. We talked about religion - I invited her to the church. She asked for a hug, but it seemed like an odd hug, which is what made me suspicious. After reading this post, I think I was targeted. I still have my purse, wallet etc. I ran a scan on my phone for tracking. I called the Fairfax County non-emergency police number, and they said an officer will be calling me back.

[Anonymous]

Had two young Asian women approach me in Nordstrom Rack Tysons specifically upstairs in shoes. Both stood aside me as I was trying on shoes and asked me if I had a church, would I be interested in coming to theirs (and one said the name and a quick statement of their beliefs). I was shopping for my parent’s funeral the next day and so told them this - “I’m in a hurry. My dad’s funeral is tomorrow. I’m very happy in my own church.”

I really should have complained. Just was in a fog and wanted to leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People still carry purses? Why?

I have almost been approached in parking lots, only for them to divert when they see I have no purse.

No purse = no cash.

I also do NOT understand the flashy purses or the flashy shoes in public in this area - my God, you people are just looking to get mugged. Don't get me started on the jewelry.

You don't have to be totally street smart, but you don't have to advertise that you are not - step one to not being approached.

I stopped carrying a purse during one of the recessions and never went back. The other day, I went to an exhibit with just a credit card and driver's license in my pocket. Hard to steal much from me.

At Target, I've been approached by "financial advisors" and other random people. Now, I often order online and do pickup, so I don't have to bother with watching my back as much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not in the DMV: I was approached at a grocery store by a young 22-25 year old woman, I'm mid-50's. She wouldn't stop asking me about my running shoes. Errrr.....they're nothing special. Brooks.com look it up. Then proceeded to ask me if I run, and where I like to run. I told her I like run with my DH and rottweiler, and got the hell out of there. I had my head on a swivel the entire walk from the store to my car.

Wow. The world is totally f’d. Make friendly small talk with someone and they call the cops on you. SMH

You are all insane. Real criminals are either too sophisticated to waste time stalking people with Air Tags in Target or they are strung out and give zero fcks about just punching you in the face and stealing your bag. Consider how lucky you all are to be so naive.

Where did I say that I "called the cops"? a 22 yr old chatting up a 55 yr old about her old Brooks running shoes and where she likes to run is odd, suspicious, and out of place. So what, I was supposed to ignore my instinct like so many other women do and end up regretting it?

You need to stop being so naive as to think this stuff isn't happening. You do you though. I could not care less.

+1 In Atlanta yesterday, a 77 year old woman living in a gated community was stabbed to death by a young man determined to steal her car.

By someone who placed an air tag in their purse at Target? Nope. By someone who chatted about sneakers? Nope.

You are all paranoid. Car jackers and muggers don’t chat with you they come out of the blue and surprise you and threaten you directly with violence.

My neighbor was followed home from the bank and robbed. Neighbor would sometimes get cash from the ATM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This somewhat applies

https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2022/texas-elder-murders.html

The fact ageism played a role in these murders continuing for two years strikes home. My parent was killed in Montgomery County by a nurse but wasn't robbed. That nurse could still be out there killing old people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are not harmless. They have been stealing from people all over the DMV.

Anyone approaches you in a store report it.

I've had something similar happen when a woman approached me in a Walmart and put her hand on my cart to stop.mr and handed me note in English saying she needed me to buy her groceries. I said "no" and pushed my cart. I reported her to a manager. These people are pushy to say the least.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not in the DMV: I was approached at a grocery store by a young 22-25 year old woman, I'm mid-50's. She wouldn't stop asking me about my running shoes. Errrr.....they're nothing special. Brooks.com look it up. Then proceeded to ask me if I run, and where I like to run. I told her I like run with my DH and rottweiler, and got the hell out of there. I had my head on a swivel the entire walk from the store to my car.

Wow. The world is totally f’d. Make friendly small talk with someone and they call the cops on you. SMH

You are all insane. Real criminals are either too sophisticated to waste time stalking people with Air Tags in Target or they are strung out and give zero fcks about just punching you in the face and stealing your bag. Consider how lucky you all are to be so naive.

Where did I say that I "called the cops"? a 22 yr old chatting up a 55 yr old about her old Brooks running shoes and where she likes to run is odd, suspicious, and out of place. So what, I was supposed to ignore my instinct like so many other women do and end up regretting it?

You need to stop being so naive as to think this stuff isn't happening. You do you though. I could not care less.

+1 In Atlanta yesterday, a 77 year old woman living in a gated community was stabbed to death by a young man determined to steal her car.

By someone who placed an air tag in their purse at Target? Nope. By someone who chatted about sneakers? Nope.

You are all paranoid. Car jackers and muggers don’t chat with you they come out of the blue and surprise you and threaten you directly with violence.

My neighbor was followed home from the bank and robbed. Neighbor would sometimes get cash from the ATM.

That's why I never use an outside ATM.