| from: | DH | ||
| to: | "Cindy (Cj) Smith" | ||
| date: | Tue, Nov 3, 2015 at 4:51 PM | ||
| subject: | Scammed |
Dude going up the length of 4:30 LSE milk run asking people for money to make an $80 fare to
Ottawa, or some sob story.
Wonder how many times he's done that in this line. Heard any similar stories?
| from: | Cindy (Cj) Smith cj@thiscrazytrain.com | ||
| to: | DH | ||
| date: | Tue, Nov 3, 2015 at 5:08 PM | ||
| subject: | Re: Scammed |
Yep. This is a common one. I once offered to walk over to a ticket counter with a guy to buy him a ticket since I had no cash on me and suddenly he didn't want to inconvenience me. I told him he said he needed to get home so I'd get him home. He then bailed.
Don't trust these jerks
Don't trust these jerks
We had one at the Brampton GO station yesterday. He needed money to get to a specialist appointment in Barrie. Good luck at getting to that one and home in the same week.
ReplyDeleteAnd did you offer to buy him a ticket, it's amazing how all of a sudden the story changes...
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a common scam. There's a really aggressive panhandler I've seen at least three times on the subway who does this. He hops on the train and bellows in a pleading voice, "Is there ANYONE here who can help me? I need x dollars to get to y destination for (always a different reason -- appointment with a cancer specialist or sibling funeral or the bedside of a sick child, etc.). Does ANYONE have a shred of humanity???" Then he walks up and down invading the personal space of individual riders to make a personal appeal. "Sir? Ma'am? Can you help? I REALLY need to get to x destination. It's an emergency or I wouldn't ask." If people don't play along and reach for their pockets in generosity, he throws a mini tantrum, announces that people are heartless and nobody cares. He usually ends by saying, "I just hope none of you heartless f***ing assholes ever need help!" before stomping off the train, presumably to wait for the next train and repeat the performance.
ReplyDeleteA panhandler who used to camp out near my work would always say she needed enough for a TTC fare. One time, I gave her a TTC token and went on down the street. I bought lunch and walked back, only to see her standing on the corner and trying to sell the TTC token for $2 to passers by.
I try not to judge people, as I haven't walked a mile in their shoes, but I am now rather gun shy with the "I need bus fare" scam.
While I was waiting to pick my daughter up I had a guy at VIA Union Station ask me for money to get to Kingston as his father had just passed away, I really felt shitty for saying no but was a little suspicious at the fact that he smelled strongly of booze.
ReplyDeleteAlways offer to walk to the ticket counter with the person and buy the ticket. If he or she comes along, it's legit. Of course, the person can also turn around and refund the ticket ... but that's too much work.
ReplyDeleteI live in downtown Toronto. Living downtown makes you very cynical. I must've seen every scam going. Some of the acting is first class. I tell my wife I treat it like any pitch - like my kids asking for money for chocolate. If it's not convincing - which is most of the time - I don't hand over my cash. My cash is hard earned and it takes a lot for me to give it away to someone who is doing nothing to earn it.
ReplyDeletei hate the scam where someone sticks a card in your face saying they are deaf please give..... i just ignore it, if they really are deaf, telling them off wont work.... they look pissed off, but im sorry, dont just stick a card in my face (or worse tap me) to beg.....
ReplyDeleteThere was a guy at the Atrium on Bay in front of the Kitchen Table telling people he needed food. I took him in the store and asked him what he wanted; he picked a huge chocolate bar and a bag of chips (did not want a sandwich from the counter). I paid for it at the cash register and he then asked me for the receipt (!!!) which I refused to give him. I wonder if he managed to sell the stuff.
ReplyDelete^ Oh FFS!
ReplyDeleteI had one yesterday where they (a set of siblings) missed their VIA connection and had two options either a) they couldn't leave until today, or b) take a grayhound. She had some money but her sibling (wasn't even around when she was asking). Um, aren't there multiple choices when taking the train, especially when you miss one connection?
ReplyDelete@mark p I have had three encounters with people selling the ASL alphabet cards - twice on the subway and once while in a bar (with a date no less!)
ReplyDeleteAll three of them were legit, because I started signing to them and they responded and we had a little conversation (in ASL). They said they do get told to go away a lot, but are always thrilled when they might someone who signs. (the one in the bar also told me I was lucky to have such a beautiful date, LOL)
Of course, if you don't know ASL you can't really put it to the test like that...
Careful, these homeless guys who claim the need money to go back home are usually using it to buy booze or drugs. Do not fund these guys.
ReplyDelete