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

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

It is sad that we have to be so careful about giving. A few nights ago I was approached by a elderly woman and her very tall mentally challenged son. The woman asked for a few dollars for a sandwich. I gave her a few bucks. I felt pretty sure that she was for real, but who knows? I am going to start carrying a few $5 Mcdonalds gift cards and start giving those to people who ask for money for food.

[Anonymous]

Totally sucks--but imagine if you'd said no and later read in the paper that he got hit by a car while waiting by his car, or something. Better to be kind-hearted and trusting once in a while rather than cynical all the time.

[Anonymous]

This is a very old scam, OP. But better to be the generous one than the coldhearted one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Totally sucks--but imagine if you'd said no and later read in the paper that he got hit by a car while waiting by his car, or something. Better to be kind-hearted and trusting once in a while rather than cynical all the time.

I agree with this. I would rather help someone out and find out I was scammed, then not help someone out and find out something bad happened to them and I could have helped. I am a believer of pay it forward and I try to see the best in people rather than the worst. I know that makes me a sucker, but I have not been truly harmed financially by living this way.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

There's nothing wrong in being nice - as long as you're not nice TOO often!

shit happens to good people

And although the scam artist is an ass, his life must suck!

[Anonymous]

In the end OP you have awesome karma and he will not. I know it sucks but you are a great person!

[Anonymous]

You still get the karma points OP!

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Totally sucks--but imagine if you'd said no and later read in the paper that he got hit by a car while waiting by his car, or something. Better to be kind-hearted and trusting once in a while rather than cynical all the time.

I agree.

When I was in college I was at a gas station and approached by a girl about my age. It was late--probably like 1 or 2 in the morning on a Saturday or Sunday. I had just heard her sorta arguing with the gas station clerk, but couldn't hear what exactly was said. Che told me that she had been at a party (this was in L.A. very close to UCLA) and someone had stolen her wallet and she just needed about $10 for gas to drive home to Orange County. She said she had her checkbook with her and could write me a check for $20 to compensate me.

I weighed my options; would I rather feel like a schmuck for getting scammed out of $10, or would I spend the rest of my life wondering if I had left some other college girl like me stranded with no way to get home....I figured I'd rather feel like a fool than feel guilt so I gave her the $10--and she did immediately go to the cashier and put $10 worth of gas in her car. Still it could have just been a way for her to get free gas, I guess?

I didn't take her check though...if I deposited it and it was a bad check, my bank would have charged me a bunch of fees and it just wasn't worth the risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You still get the karma points OP!

this!

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

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.