Scammer Alert
 

Yesterday I was approached in the Publix, Bichara Blvd parking lot by a man who began to tell me his story that he was on his way from Gainesville to the "trauma center" in Orlando to visit some relative or another who was just rushed there because of a car accident down there.

He was about to ask me for money for gas but since I'd heard this story twice before, I just laughed in his face and drove away.

Just want to make everyone aware that they are out there again.

seems as though they would come up with a new line, that one is worn out...

old one
 

unfortunately there are those that will give this person money and admit to knowing it is a lie. keeps them out there begging.

Old scam, old story.

You should have notified the police

Usually when you post something like this someone will post a reply like "I would have given him a few dollars... if he needed the money so bad he had to beg... karma... karma... blah blah blah...

I'm not that guy. Now if he was a guy with a winning lottery ticket who couldn't cash it because he was here under the "pre-amnesty program" and was going to give me half... well that sounds reasonable...

SS
 

A female, about 45yo, was asking passerby's for a dollar as she stood near her car in the Publix lot at SS. Sad thing is, I think there was a child in the car. The car was not new, but it certainly was not a junker either.

This is a very interesting topic and lots has been said.

Go back to the thread titled "Parking Lot Scam" from April 9, 2014, and read the entire thread.

Will it change your mind or not?

The recent burlary in the Village of Winifred made me more cautious.

Hi MikeV

The thing about folks like this is that they are not particularly intelligent or inventive. No what drives them is desperation and perhaps the chemicals their bodies crave.

But these are just the parking lot amateurs. The pros are much more sophisticated. The IRS phone scam has raked in millions. I wonder how many have fallen for the American oil man killed in Africa with no heirs and 40 million estate scam. People still fall for the " I just found a wallet with cash and I want to share it with you if you would just put up some good faith money" scam. One word---greed!

I'm not sure that that's true. From what I understand many of these people do this pretty much for a living. They come down here from up north every year at this time of year. Once summer comes they head back up north and do the same thing up there.

From what I've heard they choose this way of life or are born into it. They are the same people that are breaking into homes and robbing.

Ever notice that you don't see the beggars and the home B & Es tend to stop in the summer time?

We only see them standing on the highways with their signs in the winter months. Often at the end of the day, they hop into their car and head to their rented homes.

Will Share
 

Here is a note regarding our experiences. When I was young (we lived in the Parsonage as our father was a minister) it seems all of those down on their luck came to our house as opposed to all the others on the block. I don't like calling them bum's etc as that's not true in most cases. In those days some were called "hobo's"
One days my sister asked why they always came to our house. The person that was being fed took her out in front of our house and showed her the "chalk X" on the curb in front of the house. He said this marking indicated to those who were hungry that the lady of the house would always give them a meal and a great piece of pie. Too bad we
don't have the same attitudes for those that are weak and hungry. All should be treated with respect. :icon_hungry: