Holiday Scams

[weezell]

MSO, I think you mis-spelled "conduct".

Yes, hit it on the head there!Bunch of them out there... :wink:

 

[mso489]

Sadly, it is a good time of year to be wary. If you will ever lock your house, and lock your car both at home and shopping, now's a good time. If you can put purchases out of sight when you leave them in the car, that's smart. Bring in delivered packages from the porch regularly. Put your wallet in a front trousers pocket in a crowd, etc. I don't think you have to be crazy-paranoid, just wary.

 

[brian64]

I do not give anything to panhandlers. I make my donations to established organizations to do what they do.

Unfortunately, there are a number of established organizations with a track record that shows them to be no better than most panhandlers...especially some of the largest ones. But they've got really great PR campaigns.

Having said that. I was driving into Vegas one day and there was a woman with two small children broken down by the side of the road. It turns out they were fleeing an abusive relationship in Idaho and were trying to get Southern California where her parents lived. I got the car going good enough to get them to Vegas. Followed them to an auto parts store and bought the necessary parts along with a little extra oil and coolant. Then went to a Walmart and picked up an ice chest that I loaded with snacks, drinks and a case of water. Then I gave her $200 for gas.
Two days later her dad called me and thanked me for saving his daughter. That was in 2002. Her father calls me every Thanksgiving and we chat. She is on to a new and happy life.

That is a truly wonderful story. :clap:

 

[blackadderlxx]

Sensitive point but worth mentioning, some con artists like to attend church services, where people are focussed on their better selves and generosity, and put the arm on congregants before or after the services. These folks should be referred to the pastor/priest/rabbi/etc., who is usually trained to evaluate requests for help, and often has a fund for helping in legit situations.

This is very true. The pastors normally can sort it quickly though.