The old I need money for gas scam.

9 out of 10 times they need money for drugs, probably heroin.
They need a hit just to keep from getting sick.
Look at their arms and hands, their drawn grey faces and you'll see an addict - not someone just down on their luck.
They're at the truck stop because everybody already knows them in town.

 

I had a guy hit me up a couple months ago. Wanting money for food.

I was broke, and told him so.

But I offered the guy some food. Spare cans I had on the truck.

He took it. Then hung around for a few, expressing his gratitude.

I think in this case, the need was real. And while I couldn't give the guy money. He was extremely happy to see the food.

 

probably waiting for you to had him a can opener. dang man thats crule.

 

Nope, a can opener takes up too much room in my stash box. All my cans are pop tops.

 

This story makes no sense. The guy was reaching into his pocket to get some money and the other guy just let off a few rounds at him? I bet they knew each other and there's more involved to this story.

 

Man I have no idea? All I know is, that happened right up the road from us... One thing I can tell ya, having listened to my buddies that are Law Enforcement? They all say, the stories they are told usually never make sense unless there is a corpse. So, I don't disagree with you on your assessment of the article. I just thought it kinda fit with the general theme of the thread and thought I would share it. And I further agree that they likely could have known each other. Stuff gets kinda funky around Houston sometimes? However, I have been to Detroit! WTF is wrong with that place man? Detroit can make Houston look very tame. I have a couple good friends who work nights for HPD in the wards? They have some CRAZY stories! I hear their stories about perpetrators who get jacked up on PCP and try to fly?! Those are always really messed up. They had a another guy over here on the North Side who got electrocuted trying to steal copper wire! I gotta admit.... I kinda chuckled on that one. I know I know, I'm a real turd for that but! You get what you deserve I guess. However, I do feel bad for his family.
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-t...edly-stealing-copper-electrocuted-3981022.php

 

I've had people ask for legitimate help and I've had scammers. I don't usually help with money but with food or gas as others have offered. This is a surefire way to weed out the scammers. But, there are those few that you run across who you can tell right off that they are truly in a hard spot. They are much less polished and many times appear embarrassed. They are also the ones who will spend a lot of time with you and truly thank you for the help. Scammers don't have time for this. They need to move on to the next mark.

 

I've had a blue eyed blond approach me with tears in her eyes saying she needed gas and her husband wasn't home yet. She said she was scared she didn't have enough. I grabbed my debit card and put $10 in. When I walked inside the store, the cashier said, " you shouldn't believe everything you hear." I told him "sometimes I just feel I did the right thing." It also gave me a piece of mind knowing she had enough to go 30 miles to her house. She told me it was probably enough gas when I got a few bucks in. I continued to $10 (which was about 3.5 gallon at the time) I know pretty women don't stay broke down long but what kind of person will stop and help.

 

I did have a guy take me up on buying lunch, he wolfed down a couple of Arby's sandwiches so fast he must not of eaten in a week! I bought him a few for the road, and he almost cried.
So many scammers out there we assume every one is scamming.

 

i remember about 1979 a young guy was out of money just north of emporia ,va on US301 , this was before 95 was finished all the way thru va. it was his first load ever in a truck , he was fresh out of the army, had delivered to baltimore,md and the co. had him deadheading back to savannah, ga for the weekend. he was driving a freighliner cabover. he was so new he didnt even know about tolls and had run out of money. it was july and hotter than hades. he was hot tired and thirsty and wondered if trucking had been a huge mistake. he sat leaned against a pine tree in the shade, he had lost literally his last dime in the pay phone trying to call his company . as he sat there , an old guy came up and said son, you look ready to just give up

the young guy spilled out the story and the old guy dont worry , lets go in and i buy ya a sandwich and some sweet tea. one tuna fish sandwich and five gallons of sweet tea later, the old guy gave the young man a couple of dollars , and said " you dont owe me anything, just help someone out when ya can"

that was july , 1979 , i was the young man. and i have never forgotten that , i have bought so many meals over the years, i couldnt count em. i may well have been scammed from time to time , but i too rather would help someone than turn them away.

ask em some questions , and if they really need help , help em. and sometimes just go with your gut.

ever seen sometime in a restaurant someone asking the price of everything and counting their money at the table???

what would you do then?