"Homeless people" scams

[Stacyzee]

We cannot investigate the people we give our money to.

You hope these "homeless people" are using your donation(s) for the right reasons, but the reality of it is there are many scams that exist.

Scam (1)

Scam (2)

Got your blood boiling a bit?

Well that's just a few of the many.

I am exposing the ugly truth.

I find this reality sad because there are people out there who genuinely need help. These scam artists are just ruining it for people who are at their down point in life.

• 1 out of 50 children or 1.5 million children in America will be homeless each year. In 2013 that number jumped to 1 out of 30 children (2.5 million).


• In 2008, the most commonly citied causes for homelessness was (A) Poverty (B) Lack of affordable housing (C) Unemployment


• 8.7 million people were unemployed in February 2015.


• 5.5 % is the current unemployment rate in America

Source

Source 2

It's natural for us humans to want to help (as much as we can) and sympathize with another.

Being homeless can happen to any one at any given time.

Ways to avoid being scammed

(Although, no matter what you always take a chance)

One thing I have realized is that,

a real homeless person would never refuse is food.

I remember when I was 16 years old.

I had a half eaten sandwich in my backpack.

A young man in his 30's asked if I could spare some change.

I looked up at him and said "All I have is a half-eaten sandwich."

He replied, "I don't care. I haven't eaten in days."

I gave it to him, and I watched him quickly devour the food.....

Often times, someone that isn't really homeless will refuse the food and insist that you give them money (for whatever the purposes).

That behavior always strikes me as atypical.

I also observe my surroundings, Is there a bike or a car parked near by? Plenty of times this "homeless person" is observed getting into cars parked just feet away from where they station themselves.

Notice whether this homeless person has a cell phone.

Last time I checked, doesn't phone service cost?

You also need an address to get it.

Keep in mind, this is the "homeless persons" way of communicating with other people in on the scam.

Often times these people work as a unit with others and not just themselves.

Does this person have cigarettes or alcoholic beverages around them? (Although this person could very well be homeless) Chances are they are using the money you give them to support a habit. Is that where you want your money to go?

The best way to help a homeless person is to volunteer at a shelter/soup kitchen or donate to organizations (clothing, toys, groceries etc.)

[BeeNee]

My friend and I got in a heated debate over this issue because locally in her area a "homeless man" was picked up by the cops and was found with nearly $800 in cash on him which he'd "made" that week. Just that week. The cops released him citing, which is true, that it is NOT illegal to ask people for money because they are of course not obligated to give you any. And that started the debate. I said, she's upset because she and others gave this man money, but they had a choice to help or not help. He obviously knows he is praying on you, but just because you have a good heart doesn't mean you have to stop being good. I told her exactly what you said, which is when I see homeless, real or not, I offer them love bags which contain snacks, water, socks, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, toilet paper, sanitary pads, and wet wipes. These are things real homeless people need on the streets. Like you said, if I am refused, that is not someone who is homeless because real homeless need help and want help, food, toiletries. The scammers are very much real, but giving your time or food or love bags is helpful to real people who need it. You do NOT have to give money. That is not the only way you can help.

[Stacyzee]

Isn't it illegal to ask for money? That is called panhandling.
None the less, you are right !
There are various ways to help

The homeless man you speak about makes more than people who have an actual job.
That's sad

[BeeNee]

It depends on where you live exactly and how strict the laws are but most states allow you to essentially beg for money as long as its not on private property, not near a certain amount of distance from a business, and not aggressive panhandling where you are intimidating people for money, but aside from that, the guy or girl on the corner, can ask you for money. Also that was where her anger came from--that this guy was making more than most and didn't have a real job, but I'm like he's found a way to cheat the system, and I sure as hell don't support that idea, but if its not illegal, and people have a choice to give and donate their hard earned money, that's not his fault other then he's possibly a horrible human being, but you could say the same about corporations making 25 times their employees legally. The only difference is the location.

[Print]

You can actually get a panhandling permit also I was reading an article about it.

[Stacyzee]

@BeeNee Oh okay. So the level of panhandling "aggressive" makes it illegal. Well, I get it now it makes sense. Although I must say, while riding the NY subway I saw a man get escorted off of the train by an undercover cop for this. The guy wasn't aggressive by any means. I guess the fact that he is homeless and pretty much has no voice in society, the cop was able to take advantage of that.

[Stacyzee]

@Print Interesting.
Upon looking into this I came upon this article kfor.com/.../ that claims there isn't such a thing.

[Print]

smallbusiness.chron.com/...dler-license-32489.html

It depends on the state if they have that permit or not

[Stacyzee]

@Print Wow! What a way to have some ambition? Try to obtain a panhandling permit and get money out of other people.
-Ahh society-
But I can't say they are wrong, they have the legal right in some states to do so.
I just wish the amount of time those people spent trying obtain the permit, they invested the same time looking for a job.

[Print]

Yeah it's pretty messed up also it annoys me when they end up finding a good location and they end up with tons of money, a homeless person could have used that money to actually survive while they use it to splurge on unneeded shit. :(

[BeeNee]

@Take Owner, an example of "aggressive panhandling"
By intentionally coming within three feet of the person solicited, unless that person has indicated that he or she does wish to make a donation; or
By intentionally obstructing the path of the person or vehicle of the person solicited; or
By intentionally obstructing the passage through the entrance or exit of any building; or
By soliciting anyone under the age of 16; or
By following a person who walks away from the panhandler, if the panhandler’s conduct is intended to or is reasonably likely to intimidate the person being solicited into responding affirmatively to the solicitation; or
By using profane or abusive language, either during the solicitation or following a refusal.

[Mistnigqa808]

This is how I look at it. If their #teeth aren't messed up they aren't getting a dime from me. if they refuse my food THEY AREN'T GETTING A DIME FROM ME, depending on their age I'm going to judge their body language also. For example, if a person is 50+ years old their arms should be shaking via their lack of strength to hold them up since they haven't eaten anything for days at a time, right? LOL

Heck 6 months ago while it was cold as hell this lady asked me for a some change, Now I told her " I'm broke BUT I have an SODA.. ya want it?" she quickly grabbed that soda without a fuck given while thanking me in the process LOL. i1127.photobucket.com/.../ezgif.com-add-text.gif

2 months later this crackhead in Burger King asked me for some change , I said "I ain't got none... want 1 of these Whopper Jrs bruh?" he said "naw I'm good little bro I'm just trying to get on the bus" EVEN THO OLE BOY HAD ON FRESH JEANS + A HAIRCUT -_-

[SakuraChii]

I wish it was easier to tell. Recently I spotted a woman sitting on the curve in a highway. She was dressed like a middle class person, had a pouch and looked like she had good hygene. My mom gave her two dollars, and the lady happily ran up to our car. I felt like her demeanor was wrong, but I just thought that she was a "newly homeless person". I also thought it was weird that she had this pouch, it's like she was prepared to be homeless. Most homeless people I've seen don't really have anything to put their money into..

[AleDeEurope]

My mother told me once that a homeless couple once entered a bakery store asking for money. The woman that owns the store had a better idea and instead of giving them money, she made them two big sandwiches for them to eat, cause after all, they were asking money to eat, so why not give them the food instead of the money? Well, after she gave them the sandwiches, the got out of the store and threw them in the trash.
This is why I don't trust homeless people, cause I don't wanna give my money to someone that's either fake or gonna use it to buy drugs or who knows what other useless thing.
I know there are actual homeless people, and it's sad that those scams are hurting those who really need the money.

P. S.: I have a question for you: Do you think the 5.5% of unemployed in the US is a high number?

[Stacyzee]

I guess every one has different experiences.
That personally never happened to me.
Very rarely do real homeless people operate the way you described.
Like my article states, they probably wanted cash for obvious reasons.
But yes, like I said towards the end of the article there's a "right" way of doing things and that is volunteering to shelters/soup kitchens.

[Stacyzee]

Also, to answer your question no I personally do not think 5.5 percent is a high number.
But with the fact that there are millions of people homeless and that contributes to the cause, then something needs to be done.

[AleDeEurope]

Hmm ok.
I asked you the question cause I've met people in the US that think that 5.5% is high, but I'm from Spain where the unemployment rate is 23%, so it's almost quintuple. I just like to ask this question to people to compare one country's mentality with the other.

[Bonnie12I27I12]

call me heartless but i honestly dont feel bad for homeless people. most of them are homeless because they chose drugs over school and thats why they're on the streets as adults. i have no sympathy for people like that. most of them seem healthy enough to go get a job. if they wanna be lazy and sit on the streets then thats their choice but im not giving them anything. this one time my friend and i were at subway. we had our food at the table and went to fill up our drinks. as i came back to sit down this homeless lady was like "are you guys gonna eat that?" and i said yeah thats why we got it then she suddenly started to curse at me. then this really kind looking woman went and got her a sandwich, chips and a drink. she didn't even thank the woman. if the majority of us can work then so can they.

[Stacyzee]

Wow!

If ur parents kicked u out of their home and u had no where to go would u expect sympathy from others? Or better yet what if u lost ur home in a fire?

[Bonnie12I27I12]

i would go get a job if i didn't have one and stay with a relative. there are also many shelters that help women and things like that. im sure if you can sit on the streets all day then you can get a job.

[DeaXoXo]

My mom says the same thing. You want to fond real homeless people? Go out to downtown LA and find the campers. If you guys agree with the thing about giving food to homeless people instead of money, click the link below to see how you can help the hungry in your area.
https://theburritoproject.org

[LittleSally]

Yes, here's the thing - homeless people will almost NEVER accept food - they only accept cash - like swindlers usually do... I offered to buy a homeless man bread ans cheese or something else he would like, he refused and said he'd like some money.

So - never trusted them, never will.

I agree with @AleDeEurope.

[Stacyzee]

Do you think those that refuse food want the cash for obvious reasons?

The homeless people that I came into contact with that went weeks-months without eating devoured the food right in front of me and were thankful.

[LittleSally]

Either for drugs, alcohol, or because they're not really poor at all and it's their 'job'...

All poor people seem to gather in front of bakeries, but when you offer to buy something for them they refuse - of course it's suspicious.
If someone actually wanted food I'd be okay with that.

[BiffWebster]

Nobody wants to be homeless. Its cheaper and more beneficial to provide housing and a livable wage, because then these homeless become Tax Payers. Housing, education and jobs are the things the homeless need. Not charity donations and cheap temporary housing.

[darkfoxjj]

Usually when they are 'legit' they have an uncontrollable addiction like alcohol. All the money you give them will go straight towards funding that unfortunately.

Sometimes I still donate. But only if they don't bother me!

[RainbowFanGirl]

This is why I never give them my money. The other day, a guy came up to my mom's car begging her for cash, and when she said no he tried to break in our car. His eyes were wide like he was high. Most of these "homeless" people use the money they receive for drugs. Also, they never accept food like one person said. They only want cash. It just proves how many people are scamming us with kind hearts.

[Stacyzee]

Well , upon response those users admitted those that reject food aren't actually homeless.

And wow , what happened to you and your Mom.
Glad nothing major happened.

[Dandeus]

Doesn't boil my blood. If people are dumb enough to give money to panhandlers, the joke's on you.

And don't bother giving them food either.

If you care about the homeless, donate money to a homeless shelter. They'll combine their donations to purchase food at discounted prices through their established channels and stretch your dollar further than you can by buying a sandwich at a grocery store. They have volunteers who prepare large meals at economy of scale.

[Stacyzee]

You're right. But do you think people are "dumb" to give to panhandlers or sympathetic?
I think the word dumb may be a little harsh.

[Dandeus]

One can be sympathetic and dumb at the same time. Allowing yourself to be manipulated doesn't change reality just because your intentions are good. It's no secret that a huge amount of panhandlers spend the money on booze and drugs, so it's a bit naive or even disingenuous to act surprised that your money isn't being spent on food and shelter.

[Stacyzee]

True, I agree.
Sometimes hearing the truth isn't pretty.
I'm glad I haven't fell a victim to this.
There's too many scams out there.

[echoaj]

At first i thought this article was going to be about bashing homeless people but it was quite interesting. Yes it's upsetting seeing people pose as fake homeless people but I generally believe a homeless person when i see them. I always like to contribute even if i'm not 100% sure if they are legit. You never know but giving a couple dollars to a person who may need it never made anyone poor.

[Bards]

Yeah its really common. My mom had to deal with a few crazy "homeless" ladies. Once you catch them on their game, they get pretty hostile lol yeah homeless people dont have fresh nails done and neat weaves.

[usernameisnttaken]

I've seen someone hold a sign saying he was homeless and then get in a car and drive away at a Walmart once. I've never given him money but I would give a homeless person food

[BrieLove]

no one knows for sure if its real or not we have no proof of it so give if you want to give I mostly give to the homeless

[Octavius]

Hey, you use the skills you have. I never give people money I give them some food or a bottle of water.

[BertMacklinFBI]

im sure most of the pan handlers in my area are fake.

[someguy97]

And that's why I never give homeless people anything.

[RationalMale]

Ahaha, anyone dumb enough to donate deserves to be scammed. I pay enough in taxes.

[jakeofalltrades]

I never give anything to homeless, they made their bed now they have to sleep in it

[YourFutureEx]

Perfect! My dad gives me that food example too.

[Yesits_GalaxyHotChoc]

Nice take, what lying scumbags!