Do You Think I Got Scammed? (Scottsdale: buying, school, college)

[cappygirl]

I suspect this guy is a scammer who "works" the Scottsdale/Paradise Valley area. Several months ago, I encountered guy with a similar story outside of the CVS near Bell and 40th St. He appeared to be 18-22 years old, kinda short, thin and blond. He was outside in the parking lot talking on a cell phone, telling his story to some agency who supposedly could not help him. He then asked me if I knew of any local agencies who might give him money to help him get home. I suggested a nearby church but did not offer him any money (which I felt was his real agenda). I hope you weren't taken, but it doesn't look good. There are too many scammers out there.

[AnnieA]

Originally Posted by DewDropInn

You gave him your address?

Never, EVER do that. He now knows where you live and that you are not at home during the day because you work. This guy could have been legit, but next time be smart. He was a total stranger. Make sure your house is locked up tight when you leave for work. And if you have a neighbor who is home during the day, ask him to keep an eye on your place.

It's nice you wanted to help someone but, yes, there are a lot of scammers out there. Think these things through and be safe.

This was my first thought in reading this but, I hoped someone else would point it out. <s> You did a kind thing but definitely I would not have given out an address and I would probably only have given $20.

the perp said he didn't have ID so it was hard to get the money.

I know people who go from food bank to food bank, getting food and they eat better than I do, no lie. They know all of the places to go and what to do. This would not be feasible if you are homeless but the welfare people have it down to a science....and don't even get me started about the favoritism at WIC and getting serviced.

Sometimes, when I am in a store, WM or a discount store, kids will be wanting something and the parent is obviously just there to get staples, I will either buy them a small something or give the kids a few bucks, a couple of dollars each. They are usually small kids. I always ask the parents is it okay first, that I am doing it because I have g-kids of my own and they are not around. LOL.

[johnp292]

Originally Posted by DewDropInn

You gave him your address?

Never, EVER do that. He now knows where you live and that you are not at home during the day because you work. This guy could have been legit, but next time be smart. He was a total stranger. Make sure your house is locked up tight when you leave for work. And if you have a neighbor who is home during the day, ask him to keep an eye on your place.

It's nice you wanted to help someone but, yes, there are a lot of scammers out there. Think these things through and be safe.

Yeah I thought of that too after the fact. Fortunately someone is usually home when I'm not and I work from home in an unpredictable pattern.

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by johnp292

Yeah I thought of that too after the fact. Fortunately someone is usually home when I'm not and I work from home in an unpredictable pattern.

Did your guy fit the description that cappygirl mentioned in the above post?

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Captain Bill

Did your guy fit the description that cappygirl mentioned in the above post?

Would be interesting to know. Of course, the guy in cappygirl's post may be his friend/partner in crime.

[johnp292]

Originally Posted by Captain Bill

Did your guy fit the description that cappygirl mentioned in the above post?

No he was tall and had dark hair. Sure sounds like the same MO though!

[johnp292]

So here's the latest twist (and no I never got a check from the scammer).

I just returned from a business trip to Philly. While waiting outside the airport terminal (in Philly) for the shuttle bus to the rental cars, a woman walks up to me and asks for money because she's "stuck" at the airport and can't get home! Instead of giving her money I told her my tale of just recently falling for a scam that sounded just like her story. Off she went without saying a word and hit up other people before giving up and going away.

I'm starting to think I have a "Sucker" sign over my head....

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by johnp292

So here's the latest twist (and no I never got a check from the scammer).

I just returned from a business trip to Philly. While waiting outside the airport terminal (in Philly) for the shuttle bus to the rental cars, a woman walks up to me and asks for money because she's "stuck" at the airport and can't get home! Instead of giving her money I told her my tale of just recently falling for a scam that sounded just like her story. Off she went without saying a word and hit up other people before giving up and going away.

I'm starting to think I have a "Sucker" sign over my head....

Big Ole Bummer, John . . . I was hoping you were going to have GOOD NEWS for us.

[johnp292]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Big Ole Bummer, John . . . I was hoping you were going to have GOOD NEWS for us.

I'd have prefered that, but alas, it was not to be. Oh well. Back to defending my home against the scourge of Marauding Scorpions!

[Juram]

We should have a general all-purpose thread to call out scams, not sure if this was a case of it or not but there's certainly been a lot of them.


8 months ago I was approached by a woman in a Fry's parking lot with a VERY sad sob story, she said she had been coming down from Flagstaff and that her van had run out of gas and she needed a few bucks to get going, she seemed genuinely distraught and talked about how she never would impose on anyone like this normally but its her mother's birthday and blah blah blah. In that case, even if she wasn't genuine, she put enough effort into the performance that I gave her $5 and wished her luck.


Fast forward about six months, still the parking lot of Fry's, but a store about 5 miles away, I'm approached by a man who walks up to me and tells me that he and his wife had been coming down from Flagstaff and that their van had run out of gas and they needed a few bucks to get going, he also seemed genuinely distraught and talked about how he never would impose on anyone like this normally but its his wife's mother's birthday and blah blah blah. I simply smiled, told him that I had the previous pleasure of having donated to his wife and that they should simply be more careful when coming down from Flagstaff, then I went inside the store, found the manager and let him know about the scammer soliciting people in the parking lot.


Last week I was approached by a young guy at Circle K, looked to be in his early 20's, said his car ran out of gas, so I asked him where it was and he said across the street, being a sucker, I said no problem, let me go inside and I'll buy you a gas can...etc.................at which point he stopped me by saying "well, I don't need one...I have one in my car." Yes, in his car......on the other side of the street...where there is NO gas station.


REALLY? Are you planning on carrying the gas cupped in your hands??? At that point I lost my charitable spirit and went on with my business.