Scam?

I have problems with being too nice… Over the past few months I have been asked for small change for phone calls. If I have the money I’ll give it to these complete strangers, because it seems plausible enough. Although today I got annoyed. This guy asked me for 80p outside the post office, I gave it to him because I had the money, he said something about needing it to go to Bristol. The reason I got more annoyed this time was because he seemed like he wasn’t going to Bristol. Then I thought about the other people who I gave money. They weren’t from around our local area. This guy was northern. So these people probably travel around the country asking innocent and kind members of the British public for a small amount of money. Making a living out of other people’s earnings. The other thing that made me think this was that I always seem to get targeted. I don’t think I look that kind, maybe just naive/young enough to believe what they are saying.

The best one was in Berlin, when a beggar came up to me with a piece of typed paper. It said some stuff about her being from bolivia, and not able to look after her family. This made me feel bad, and I promptly emptied the change from my wallet into her cupped hands. Then another beggar saw me do this, and came over, with an almost identical sheet of paper, only this one didn’t say stuff about her kid. The font was the same though. I had no change left, so told her to go and share with the other beggar.

The way they roped you in with that scam was to say ‘Do you speak english?’ I soon learnt to just shake my head. Picking on tourists is so mean. Although I sound like a hypocrite I shall say it anyway. Why don’t these people go and get a job?

Next time someone asks me for 30p or however much, I might just tell them to get a proper job. Or maybe just say I have none to spare. My hard earned money should not go into their pockets. (I actually did earn money for doing the churchyard)

Anyway, rant over. I need to stop thinking that everyone is genuine. I need to stop being taken in. When it all adds up it becomes a lot of money.

Lol, just had a great idea. Each time someone asks for money, get your camera out and once you give or don’t give them your money take a snapshot. Then add them to your personal database of scammers. Or even better just say no.

~ by darnip on July 28, 2008.