Con Artist Scammers Beggars and Thieves

Tony Nathanson

Well-known member
I was just watching a small-claims court trial. A woman has a website that asks for donations to cover costs of care & reuniting lost pets with their owners. She posted a photo of a cat & the information claimed the cat was found by the road & was lost, which was a lie because the judge's questioning forced the owner to reveal that the cat was owned by the woman's parents. The plaintiff --an animal lover--donated $800.00 & sued the woman to recover the money when she discovered the scam. Of course she won. And the judge said, "You claimed the cat was lost, which was a lie." The thief has likely collected lots of money from other unsuspecting people.

Another gem: I'm waiting at a red light & a couple of people walk through traffic, holding up signs with a photo of a young child with the caption: "Please Help." My child has cancer," or "My child needs Surgery, Anything Helps."
Or, "Need donations to pay for my Mother's Funeral, God Bless." Of course, none of it is true. Sometimes, these thieves will stand in front of a car, blocking it, thinking the driver will be forced to donate. When they do that to me, I lay on the horn & inch forward; they always get the message & move.
Or the people who sit at the bottom of freeway off ramps, with signs about needing money for food or rent. They work in shifts & often collect more money than working people; no taxes. They'll often have a well-groomed dog with them or young children, who they trade off with each other (which I've witnessed). Sometimes they'll be on their cell phone. Amazing to me that people don't use their brain & think: "They can afford a dog or phone, but not food?"

And this one:

My (now former) dentist did a partial lower bridge for $2,600.00. The fit was terrible & it caused a gum infection & pain for three weeks. When I returned the bridge, she wanted to keep $1,250.00 for the lab fee. I know there was no lab fee because she's likely using a dental college, which costs her nothing. I disputed the charge with the bank & they're currently investigating. I went to her for the bridge because a year ago she did a perfect upper partial bridge with a professional lab. Today, you can't trust who you've trusted in the past.

The "Wounded Warrior Project" is another scam that plays on people's emotions & the warm & fuzzy feeling people get from helping wounded veterans. Since they're still airing TV ads, I assume they're still getting donations from suckers. Where the donations were really going was revealed years ago: "Lavish Spending: Reports highlighted exorbitant spending on employee conferences, including a $3 million staff retreat at a luxury resort in Colorado Springs, and lavish travel expenses." What really chafes my hide is that those who donate are rewarding thieves who belong in prison.

Anyone who donates any other way except in person is being scammed. You have no way of knowing where your money is going once it leaves your hands. And most or all of it is going into the pockets of the people who run the "Charity." When I donate, it's in person or not at all. When I lost weight years ago, I donated several expensive shirts & a $300.00 jacket to a guy I've seen sitting in front of a church every morning. He was in tears - especially when he tried on the coat on a 40-degree morning.
 
There are signs a couple of counties over (where the state capitol is) saying that pan handling at the intersections is against the law, and it gives a number for them to call for assistance. The worse thing about this stuff is that it erodes trust and stops us from helping those who need it.

I was treasurer for an affiliate of a nationwide non-profit. When we got a new CEO, I tried to find out how much she made. That's when I discovered that a chunk of the HQ administrative salaries were listed as "going to those in need," because the office folks supported the filed operations. That accounting trick gave them a high score on Charity Navigator. I only deciphered it because of my inside knowledge and the specific search I did.

The ASPCA takes your money to save dogs and cats, but then euthanize them because they won't spend money to feed them after they are rescued. That only came to light because someone discovered a freezer full of bodies.

Don't get me started on all the Federal taxpayer-funded programs that are created with fraud in mind from Day One. It's quite disillusioning. I give money, but only to the local boots on the ground, never to HQ of these outfits.
 
I thought I had seen every con out there, but this morning, walking back with my groceries, a guy in an nice new expensive looking car, pulled up, rolled down riders side window, and said, "excuse me maam," can you help me? He continued with that he was headed to an important meeting in Spokane and came in on a certain highway, from a town 30 miles away. He then paused.

I said, sure just go back out on the highway and look for exit ..

Then he interrupted me rather curtly, "I know how to get there and I don't need directions, I need help. You see I am out out of gas and I left my wallet and cell phone at home and am running late for this important meeting and need at least $20 for gas."

I noticed he was wearing a suit and looked like he could be headed to a meeting and certainly was driving a car worth ten times what mine is worth.

I replied that I don't carry cash, but he could go to the police station, explain his problem and then they would give him free gas. I knew this because the police told me years ago when I complained about all the beggars that plague the shopping center, to send them to us because we can refer them to places that will feed them if hungry, etc. They know we ask for ID and never give out cash, so if they don't come to us, you know they are scammers or running from something.

He got agitated and extra curt, "I can see you don't care to help out someone in need and I don't go to the police for help. I am going to be late for my meeting, thanks to you." With that he rolled up the window and went driving around the center looking for victims. I reported it to the police, hoping they will follow him around, find some infraction, and get his ID.

I ask the police why someone with an expensive car would be out scamming. They said the scammers lease the car, buy a cheap suit, and make hundreds a day scamming folks, especially targeting middle age and older women at shopping centers.

In hindsight, I should have told him it was unbelievable that he would leave home low on gas. Also that he forgot his cell phone and wallet. Also that he didn't leave in enough time to allow for problems. Strange that he drove 30 miles before noticing he was low on gas. He had neither the gas or time to get back home. Alrightly, then!
 
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Only weeks after my husband had passed away, I was at the Kroger gas station in the next county, getting gas in my car and the gas cans for the four wheelers. It’s a busy station but I was in a spot that was not readily visible by everyone.

The very neatly dressed man who approached me claimed he was a construction worker who had left his wallet at home and would I give him some money for lunch. I hollered at him to get away, but he wouldn’t leave. I was bent over the gas cans in the trunk of my Saturn, and had visions of being pushed in there and never heard from again. So I gave him five dollars and told him to get out of my face before I screamed.

He took the money and he walked off toward the other end of the plaza. I tried to see where he went to, but it was too far away, and he disappeared amongst all the vehicles.

Since then, I watch the gas pumps I park at to get gas —- meaning I stay where there is high visibility. I also have not been back to that particular Kroger, since that incident.

It really tissed me off because there was a point in time where I would’ve grabbed him by the throat and put him down on the ground but as it is, I can barely walk. I have become one of those vulnerable elderly people. I now have mace.
 
Years ago, I was on a date. We planned on a movie. We went to a market to get some snacks. A guy approached my car & said he and his wife were starving & asked for money for food. A woman standing a few feet away --I guess was his wife--looked like an addict. I said I didn't have any money. After they walked away, my date said "That was mean of you; I could tell they were starving, they were both underweight & looked like they hadn't eaten for weeks."
I said, "Do you expect alcoholics & drug addicts to say they need money for alcohol or drugs?"
She said, "You're so negative."
I said, "Tell ya what. Let's skip the movie & follow them around; I think you'll learn something."
She said, "You're on, but I think you'll learn something."
We watched them beg from other people, then they went into the market & came out with a bag.
My date said, "See? They bought food."
I didn't say anything. I slowly followed them to the side of the building where they pulled out a case of beer & a bottle of wine.
I said, Do you think people who give them money are helping them? They're really helping them commit suicide slowly."

And in case anyone missed it:
 
Years ago, I was on a date. We planned on a movie. We went to a market to get some snacks. A guy approached my car & said he and his wife were starving & asked for money for food. A woman standing a few feet away --I guess was his wife--looked like an addict. I said I didn't have any money. After they walked away, my date said "That was mean of you; I could tell they were starving, they were both underweight & looked like they hadn't eaten for weeks."
I said, "Do you expect alcoholics & drug addicts to say they need money for alcohol or drugs?"
She said, "You're so negative."
I said, "Tell ya what. Let's skip the movie & follow them around; I think you'll learn something."
She said, "You're on, but I think you'll learn something."
We watched them beg from other people, then they went into the market & came out with a bag.
My date said, "See? They bought food."
I didn't say anything. I slowly followed them to the side of the building where they pulled out a case of beer & a bottle of wine.
I said, Do you think people who give them money are helping them? They're really helping them commit suicide slowly."

And in case anyone missed it:
Missed your thread Tony, sorry. @Yvonne Smith can you combine these threads?
 
I can't think of the name right now. Something Kommen breast cancer charity. For years I got calls and letters from them. I didn't donate. I got to the point I would tell callers that I didn't believe in cancer. I don't get contacted any more. I think everyone has now become aware that 80% of donations went to salaries, LEGAL FEES, advertising...
 
Scammers are everywhere.

The term "homeless" was designed to aggrandize bums, tramps, druggies, pan handlers, cheap prostitutes, and the like.

Now we also have "gig workers" instead of gypsies. Many of them are in the overpriced lawn care field. It's no accident they offer a discount for cash over a check. They are tax evaders on top of everything else and probably collect welfare as well which is why they want to keep income and assets off the books.

I hate to think what some farmers are spraying on food crops. They can't resist the offer of cheap chemicals paid in cash, and again avoiding tax reporting themselves. Not to mention the "organic" scamsters who skirt even the extremely modest rules for such labeling of crops.

The dark and black economy is growing. People have no morality or sense of civic responsibility any more.
 
Scammers are everywhere.

The term "homeless" was designed to aggrandize bums, tramps, druggies, pan handlers, cheap prostitutes, and the like.

Now we also have "gig workers" instead of gypsies. Many of them are in the overpriced lawn care field. It's no accident they offer a discount for cash over a check. They are tax evaders on top of everything else and probably collect welfare as well which is why they want to keep income and assets off the books.

I hate to think what some farmers are spraying on food crops. They can't resist the offer of cheap chemicals paid in cash, and again avoiding tax reporting themselves. Not to mention the "organic" scamsters who skirt even the extremely modest rules for such labeling of crops.

The dark and black economy is growing. People have no morality or sense of civic responsibility any more.
I think that "organic" is as big a scam as "climate change." There are no standards, just general self-reporting guidelines. Don't get me started on "buy local." Large farms have less environmental impact than a collection of smaller guys do, and there's way more oversight than there is the hobby farmer up the street.

Regarding morality and sense of civic duty...this is why laws are either unenforced or selectively enforced. The system intentionally makes responsible people feel like "suckers," when it ensures that cheaters prosper. We can start with Congress as a shining example.
 
I think that "organic" is as big a scam as "climate change." There are no standards, just general self-reporting guidelines. Don't get me started on "buy local." Large farms have less environmental impact than a collection of smaller guys do, and there's way more oversight than there is the hobby farmer up the street.

Regarding morality and sense of civic duty...this is why laws are either unenforced or selectively enforced. The system intentionally makes responsible people feel like "suckers," when it ensures that cheaters prosper. We can start with Congress as a shining example.
Years ago, Whole Foods paid fines after undercover shoppers bought foods labeled "Organic" & testing determined it wasn't.
 
Years ago, Whole Foods paid fines after undercover shoppers bought foods labeled "Organic" & testing determined it wasn't.
"Organic" is a feel-good thing. Research says that it's neither healthier nor safer. In my opinion, soil testing and remediation for nutrients would make a bigger health impact. Regarding enhanced relative safety: that's a tough thing for the government to be honest about, since it would infer that all the affordable foods are unsafe.
 
I can't think of the name right now. Something Kommen breast cancer charity. For years I got calls and letters from them. I didn't donate. I got to the point I would tell callers that I didn't believe in cancer. I don't get contacted any more. I think everyone has now become aware that 80% of donations went to salaries, LEGAL FEES, advertising...
Susan G. Komen. She died of metastatic breast cancer in 1980 at age 36. Her sister started the foundation in her name, which later became embroiled in several controversies, including the overblown executive salaries.
 
I'm not usually bothered by small-time parking lot grifters. I usually give them a buck or two because what if they are actually hungry? I once gave a woman $20 because she had 2 small kids in the car and she said they were hungry. If I had had more cash with me I would have given her more.

I also give the guy at the 4-way stop a couple of bucks because his sign says "Why Lie--I Need a Beer." I know what that feels like so I roll down my window and donate to his worthy cause.

I also give the 'deaf' guy who hands me his card a couple of bucks, or the Church of the Unknown Denomination person who is trying to convert me as I load groceries into my trunk. I'm a soft touch, and if they have a dog with them I'll give them more.

But don't get me started on the phone scams, email scams, etc. Those effers want to steal my life and they aren't going to get it.
 
Well, my challenged but big hearted daughter cautioned me not to give to a guy with a cardboard sign with the word hungry written on it. She went to buy him a sandwich once and when she brought it back to him, he frowned at her and did not take it.
 
Well, my challenged but big hearted daughter cautioned me not to give to a guy with a cardboard sign with the word hungry written on it. She went to buy him a sandwich once and when she brought it back to him, he frowned at her and did not take it.
Yes - he didn't want a sandwich because he was on a........liquid diet.
 
I'm not usually bothered by small-time parking lot grifters. I usually give them a buck or two because what if they are actually hungry? I once gave a woman $20 because she had 2 small kids in the car and she said they were hungry. If I had had more cash with me I would have given her more.

I also give the guy at the 4-way stop a couple of bucks because his sign says "Why Lie--I Need a Beer." I know what that feels like so I roll down my window and donate to his worthy cause.

I also give the 'deaf' guy who hands me his card a couple of bucks, or the Church of the Unknown Denomination person who is trying to convert me as I load groceries into my trunk. I'm a soft touch, and if they have a dog with them I'll give them more.

But don't get me started on the phone scams, email scams, etc. Those effers want to steal my life and they aren't going to get it.
I have 23 kids & 7 dogs.
I'm blind, deaf & mute.
I live under a freeway overpass.
I'm so poor, I can't afford to pay attention.

Please help. God Bless.

🤣
 
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