Had the same scam a year ago at a gas station. Said he needed money to go back to (insert city). 2 weeks later, I went to the same gas station, and the SAME DUDE gave me the same script.
Yes, I just never hand out cash to those asking. Although I do when I see a real need. But there is always someone to ask about the persons.
I was at a thrift shop just poking around and a guy was looking at games etc. Christmas just a couple days off. I knew he was doing this for kids so handed him X-dollars to buy new gifts. Strolling along I saw a couple who he said “there she is”.....His wife, in tears explained that he had just been released from having open heart surgery, They had four kids and things had been very rough since he was ill as her job barely got them by. They didn’t know how they were going to do Christmas so resorted to shopping thrift stores to make their few dollars stretch.
There are times and places when we just do because we know it.
Several years ago, a former co-irker in Charlotte gave a few bucks to a bum.
A little while later, said bum passed him in a BMW.
Another example witnessed by one of the most straight arrow honest people I’ve ever met was as follows.
He passed a guy on an interstate with a sign begging. The honest person got off at the exit and stopped for fuel or a burger. Anyway he saw the beggar go out of sight and a few minutes later, he drove on to the interstate in a nice Caddy.
I’m seeing so many wanting a handout it isn’t funny. Some strike me as otherwise normal, cleancut, fit types.
At times I’ve been down and out if not penniless but I never groveled on the street.
My favorite gas station scam is when the person hitting me up for gas money at the pumps is driving a newer and more expensive car than mine. That has happened to me more than once.