How to deal with scammer gangs?

[Tervuren]

Watched today as a guy working the left lane of a busy intersection with a sign and shuffle walk. Remarkably, he'd turn around to get to the front for the new cars as the before the light turned green each and every time.

His reliability struck me as a little odd; The light changes on a set of sensors that over ride a timer, and with his back turned, the guy couldn't possible see the moment to turn around. Yet time and time again, he'd nail it walk back just before it went green, and be at the front of the line for the first stopping cars to do his shuffle walk again.

Guy kept reacting to things he couldn't possible see with where his eyes were, so I started looking around. Found his "spotter", speaking into a mic, telling the guy shaking over traffic what to do. As I ate, eventually, the shaker's pockets were getting full, so he walked across the street to his spotter, passed over the cash, and went back.

I've seen this before, but its been awhile. No question scam. Spotter was using a smart phone, shaker had an ear piece in one ear from something in his jacket.

Pisses me off.

I thought about walking out and talking to the guy, be the endless bore that goes on and on, which would protect the traffic as long as I could filibuster, but it'd be 4vs1. In sight of the first spotter was a second spotter working with another shaker on another light.

Is this something the police could get involved with? I'm not sure Charlotte has any laws about this. I hate watching well meaning people get scammed, and these guys ruin compassion for those really in need.

[stomachmonkey]

Playing devils advocate here because I do agree with you but they are out there asking for money for nothing. Not really a scam unless they are claiming to collect for a charity or cause and in fact are not.

The ear piece thing actually impresses me a bit.

I mean, just because they are sponging they shouldn't have an efficient "business" process?

[tcar]

The people giving him money are the fools.

[Gogar]

+1 "scam" just isn't the right word.

It might be illegal but no more illegal than someone panhandling solo.

[Tervuren]

When you have a sign that claims things that aren't true, and you're taking money for it, its a scam.

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by Tervuren

When you have a sign that claims things that aren't true, and you're taking money for it, its a scam.

Well then I suggest you deal with this new scam the same way as the old scam, and don't give any money.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Have you considered standing close by with your own sign pointing out that his sign is false? Maybe get a bigger sign? More colors would help too.

[Vipergrün]

Not meant to hijack, but drive home a point...

Was eating at the Panty in downtown LA a couple of months ago prior to a concert.

All kinds of homeless, wheelchair-bound people.

A kid who was dining with his family took a whole plate of food, bread, etc to one of the guys. The dood in the wheelchair said he wanted a real meal and not scraps!! I was totally floored and thought the kid was going to cry on the spot.

I left some choice words for the ********* as I walked out of the restaurant.

I don't give a dime to anyone, yet have taught my kids to be empathetic and do what feels right.

[legion]

Originally Posted by Vipergrün

Not meant to hijack, but drive home a point...

Was eating at the Panty in downtown LA a couple of months ago...

I hear there are a few days each month you don't want to eat there.

[flyenby]

Scammers...they deserve nothing...

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Have you considered standing close by with your own sign pointing out that his sign is false?

Someone did this near here a while ago.

At a different corner, a disheveled girl was there with her poorly-made sign every day. News camera caught her husband picking her up in their Mercedes at the same time every day, and dropping her off at a different corner. They actually know which intersection is most profitable at different times of the day.
They ran the license plates- This couple owns their home in a fairly nice neighborhood. Rang the doorbell, and the same girl, not so disheveled, answered, then quickly closed the door when she spotted the camera.

[SoCal911T]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

Someone did this near here a while ago.

At a different corner, a disheveled girl was there with her poorly-made sign every day. News camera caught her husband picking her up in their Mercedes at the same time every day, and dropping her off at a different corner.

Except for the 'disheveled' part, it sounds like the same M/O as the couple here in San Diego.

[Neilk]

Originally Posted by Vipergrün

Not meant to hijack, but drive home a point...

Was eating at the Panty in downtown LA a couple of months ago prior to a concert.

All kinds of homeless, wheelchair-bound people.

A kid who was dining with his family took a whole plate of food, bread, etc to one of the guys. The dood in the wheelchair said he wanted a real meal and not scraps!! I was totally floored and thought the kid was going to cry on the spot.

I left some choice words for the ********* as I walked out of the restaurant.

I don't give a dime to anyone, yet have taught my kids to be empathetic and do what feels right.

Had a somewhat similar experience just last week. Homeless guy comes up to us while we are eating a sandwich and asks for money so he can get groceries for him and his 16 year old son (who isn't with him). My friend and I look at each other and offer to buy him and "his son" each a sandwich and the bum looks at us and says "What the hell am I supposed to do with a sandwich?"

Made us feel much better about not giving him cash.

[Cajundaddy]

One of my leftist cousins got his degree from an expensive private college and spent the next year crossing the country train-hopping. Sounded like an epic adventure. He had a bag with 2 sets of clothes. One was the "clean" set when he wanted to be presentable and the other was his "working" set that were filthy rags. when he needed some cash he would put on the rags, go out and roll in the dirt, dust himself off, and find a nice corner to "work the sign". A good corner was worth $300-$400 in an afternoon if he looked forlorn enough.

He ruined me for any true panhandlers forever. I believe in giving generously of both time and resources but I never, ever, hand money out my car window or in front of a store or gas station.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

What kind of fool gives their money to a total stranger anyway? Anyone who's willing to enable this behavior is IMHO half the problem and I have ZERO sympathy for their being taken advantage of. None. A legitimate bum is still a bum and a fake bum is a scumbag. A few dollars of mine won't help anyone so lacking in pride or self-respect as to see nothing wrong with asking total strangers for money anyway - there's always something else they can do like temp work, charity organizations, etc. that don't involve giving up on oneself (first group) and I certainly don't want to enable any scumbag loser phonies / liars either (second group).

[Holger]

I am not giving anyone money.
I let my kids give money (cents!) to performers if they want, but nothing to beggers just sitting there.

[petrolhead611]

I just give the free toiletries obtained from hotel stays-if the beggars reject them with disdain then they aren't really homeless at all so they can get lost.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

What kind of fool gives their money to a total stranger anyway? Anyone who's willing to enable this behavior is IMHO half the problem and I have ZERO sympathy for their being taken advantage of. None. A legitimate bum is still a bum and a fake bum is a scumbag. A few dollars of mine won't help anyone so lacking in pride or self-respect as to see nothing wrong with asking total strangers for money anyway - there's always something else they can do like temp work, charity organizations, etc. that don't involve giving up on oneself (first group) and I certainly don't want to enable any scumbag loser phonies / liars either (second group).

This... I've been doing volunteer work for a charity for over two decades and I could fill a page about the scams I've witnessed or heard about.

The charity I'm involved with feeds homeless people (among other things like disaster relief). I often serve food and help cook meal etc.
We don't give homeless people money no matter what. If you do they just buy booz and/or drugs with it.

Recently a youngish homeless woman who often showed up for meals asked me for money so she could get dentures made. (Skinny druggy looking with ZERO teeth and thin gums )
I told her I knew a good dentist and would be happy to take her there to get dentures fitted. We made an appointment, I turned up but she never showed. Never saw or heard from her again.

[LWJ]

I hand out water bottles and protein bars. It is important to recognize humanity in people at the bottom. Scammers? Druggies? Yes they are. It is a crap life at the bottom. If they get into a Mercedes afte taking a water bottle from me, I can afford it. Karma.

[red-beard]

I worked in India and Pakistan. The panhandling franchise for an area is passed down in the family. Many main a child to make them better panhandlers.