Anyone ever been hit up for money by people who say they've run out of gas?

Question

I was walking down the street and was approached by a couple who said they were visiting from out of state, had run out of gas and didn't have any money to fill up the tank. The husband proceeded to wave 3 different credit cards at me (as if to legitimize his plight) and said that none of the ATM's would accept them. I said "Can't help you" and moved on. My question is this: was he a scam artist?

Answer 1

Yes. I actually gave her a buck, too, back when a buck got you a gallon. I was young and naive, she looked pitiful with her gas can and her little boy. That was years ago. Now, I would never give them money for gas. I would, however, offer to pump a couple of bucks worh into her car if she was next to me at a gas station. It's the same with anyone who begs. They only want money for booze or smokes, but they will make up a sob story about something else. The fact is, they don't want food or gas or a bus token, they want cash. So if they ask me for money for food, I offer instead to buy them a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter. Oddly, they never accept. So I say eff 'em. If they were that hungry, they would take the food. I would. The ones that scare me are the ones who will make an attempt to get injured by your car by walking behind you when you are backing up or stepping into a crosswalk and pretending not to see you. They get just injured enough to get a lawsuit against you. Those people can cost you thousands and thousands of dollars.

Answer 2

I have.  It doesn't really matter what they say they need the money for.  If you do give them money, you only reinforce that begging will be rewarded.  Instead I remind myself to give another $1 to charity to be used to help the homeless and people in need.

Below are some worthy charities that need our support.  Thanks for the good question.

Answer 3

probably...