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Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe
What does "case by case basis" even mean? Surely you know you're being scammed, or do you?
Give this some thought; your money keeps them ON THE STREET, NOT off the street. Think about it...
You need to start getting receipts, so you can write it off your income tax. The IRS now requires written proof of charitable donations. So either write 'em a check made out to them, or get the cash receipt.
Always offer to deliver them to the nearest church or shelter. See how many of the clowns take you up on this?
A month ago, I was getting into the Mercedes in the parking lot at an upscale suburban exit off the Interstate at a Chase Bank, and a Chili's restaurant after a nice evening, and a lady about 60 comes up to within 15 feet of my car asking for gas money. She looked new at the game. lol I told her to go to my church two miles away, give her turn by turn directions, and they would help her. Dumbfounded, stupid looks are the deer-in-the-headlights look you get from the DBs at that point. Or better yet, ask to use their cell phone to call them help! Ha!
Again, giving them money does more harm than good. That's the dirty little secret of the scammers on the streets.
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Directions to the Church is similar to what my wife has done a few times. About ten years ago it became quite common for people to approach you on a parking lot with a story about their car being broken down and they needed a certain amount of money for a water pump or something. My wife kept the 800 number of Social Services or whatever it is, and she would write it down for them. She had confirmed that a stranded traveller can call them and get the money.
I never saw anybody very relieved when they were offered the phone number.