I have no street smarts. I’m too trusting, because I myself am trustworthy. I don’t lie to people so I assume everyone else tells the truth.
A few days ago a married couple came to my door. The story was they had just moved in near my house, had no food/water/money for kerosene for their heater. They were asking if they could do some work for me (my outside stairs to be specific) for $20 or so.
We talked a while, they gave me their names and showed me which house they’re in (I can see their roof from my front porch but they’re about 2 streets away). I gave them some bottled water, some canned food and a $10 bill. (Yes, I know now that giving cash to strangers is stupid.)
So they left. About 8:30 tonight there’s a knock at the door, and it’s just the husband. Song and dance about no money for the kerosene heater and did I have $5. No, I didn’t, I explained, as I almost never have cash on me (this is true). I suggested the homeless shelter, which he rejected because they had once stayed there and were supposedly treated badly. Suggested the cops, which he said might be an idea but was noncommittal. He said something about how he had a “pellet gun” and wished he could sell it for $15 or $20, even though “it’s worth $180.” (That right there made me wonder.)
Am I being scammed or are these people simply down on their luck and desperate? I’m leaning towards “scammed” because if my house was unheated, I’d stay at Jack the Ripper’s house if there was heat and I knew I’d be unharmed during the night.
What can I do to make them go away? Having someone show up at my house while it’s dark (asking for money, of all things) is unnerving. I have a kid in the house. I don’t know these people and I don’t know what their game is. I don’t want to be a hardass but I’m NOT putting myself in a dangerous situation.
I put in a call to the cops because I figure either way they need to know. If these people really need help, maybe the cops can point them in the right direction. If they’re cons, maybe they can go have a little meet and greet and tip them off that people in the neighborhood are suspicious. Supposedly one of the officers is going to call me back to talk about it. They’re terribly understaffed so I’m thinking I might hear from them, oh, Tuesday.
How can I spot a con in the future? Are there any mannerisms that drug addicts have (this guy looked normal, no tremors or anything but had a shabby appearance). I’ll never give a stranger cash anymore but I don’t want to automatically assume that everyone is lying. I never want to refuse to help someone who really needs it. On the other hand, I don’t want to set myself up for my house getting broken into or something.