Don't fall for the scam! Walk away!

There's a reason why I walk to Union using the underground PATH because I can't be bothered with people who run scams where they weave a sob story about losing a wallet, being homeless, being fresh out of jail, and needing X amount of money, so they can pay for a GO or VIA ticket home.

I've written about this scam before but this evening's story had a different spin and approach.

So here I is just swinging my purse as I toddle south on Yonge Street (which was my first mistake). I wasn't on a full-on, eyes forward, charge to Union.

Queue the dude in the jeans and leather jacket, with his hair in a neat ponytail, pretending to look lost while occasionally glancing down at a white sheet of a paper.

Opportunity struck for him when there was a lull in the crowd and he noticed me strolling along all by myself. When he caught my eye, he asked, "Excuse me?" I politely smiled and waited for him to ask me directions, possibly with an accent, as he had a tourist-like demeanor.

Instead, in rapid-fire English, he tells me he's just been released from jail... Let me stop here for a second, how does presenting yourself as a felon make me want to help you when really all I want to do is get the hell away from you? Not the best background story.

He continues. He tells me he doesn't want food, or sympathy. He tells me he's Indian - Cherokee, and asks me if I've heard of Orillia. Playing along, I say I'm originally from the States and feign confusion about where Orillia might be. This gets him excited (coz he's thinking, sucker!) He pulls out a birth certificate, telling me that he's really from there, saying it's north of the city and he really wants to get home to see his mother who's real sick 'from the cancer'. I nod.

Then he says, problem is, the person who was to pick him up from 'the pen' didn't show and the only money he has is eight dollars in change (which he digs out to show me).

He tells me he needs 11 more dollars for a train ticket and that he's been walking up and down, from Union and back, trying to come up with the money through the 'kindness of strangers', because, and I quote, "my sister told me yesterday she doesn't think my mother will last through the night" while he conjures up some tears.

Does this guy think I'm stupid? No matter what the back story is, the scam remains the same, do what one can to con people out of money.

So I go in for the kill. Now remember kiddies, this guy is desperate to get home to his mama. If it were me, I'd do anything to see my mom before she died.

"Well," I say. "I'm not one to carry cash but if you walk with me to Union, I'd be happy to buy you a ticket using my credit card so you can see your mom". And I was sincere. If I was wrong and he was legit, I meant it.

He places a hand on my arm and says, "That's too much trouble for you and I don't want to take you away from your evening. I was just hoping for some change and then I'd head down when I have what I need".

Wow, what a shocker ...

So I said, "I have to go there anyway as I'm taking the train, too, so it's no trouble." I pull out my BlackBerry. "Let's call your sister so you can arrange for her to pick you up in Barrie".

This was deliberately put forth by me, as earlier, if you recall, I professed to not knowing where Orillia was, but now I know where Barrie is? He didn't catch on.

Here comes the back-pedaling...

"Oh," he says, flustered. "She, uh, she doesn't drive."

Surely there's someone who can pick you up, I suggest. I don't even let him speak, cutting him off. All I want him to do is profess he's a liar. "Tell you what," I say. "Come home with me and I'll drive you."

This really throws him. He looks at me like I'm crazy. I know he's not prepared to take this further.

I look at my watch and proceed to get a move on.

I tell him good luck with life and walk away. I'm not even out of earshot before I hear, "Excuse me... " as the scam continues.

Working hard for the lie

A while ago, I alerted those of you who have been faithfully following since the summer about a transit scam that usually targets GO riders.

Zainab A. wrote in tonight to alert me of a similar scam that's not too far off from the original premise. To learn about the basics of this popular scam, the background is here.

Here's how it went down for Zainab:

I have my own story to contribute, not strictly on the GO or on the TTC but it was right in front of Union station.
A few nights ago a woman came up to me and a friend. Now, I'm not one to judge based on appearance, but this lady did not look how you say - sane.
She started telling us about how someone robbed her specifically of her GO ticket and wallet (she still had her backpack), and was asking for money home.
I told her why not go to the transit police inside the station and tell them you have just been mugged.
She responded with some utterly BS excuse.
I was suspicious and turned away saying no.
Up till this point she had been speaking in a high pitched voice, when I turned away she yelled out "well aren't YOU A BITCH!" in a faintly disturbing deep and manly voice.
Many a scary dream has been experienced since that day. 0_0

But seriously, do these scammers think we're stupid? Anyone could put two and two together... if you've been mugged, you don't ask people for money, you go to the police.

---

Exactly. Don't part with your hard-earned money folks. The only people you should be giving any money to at Union Station are the people who have cash registers near them.

Probably the best scam going

Maybe it was the mood I was in, having to hoof it in piss-pour rain to catch the 10:13 (as in PM), or that I fell victim to this scam once before ... but I blew off a guy tonight looking for a hand-out.

I was accosted by a dude tonight outside the Bay Street Teamway who gave me this long-winded story about losing his wallet and needing a GO bus ticket back to Barrie and that he was down here visiting his mom blah blah blah, and could I lend him the last 10 bucks? He then proceeds to show me what he's collected so far, being sure to emphasize that he's "not a bum".

In the Fall of 2008, I was approached by a guy in a suit outside the ACC who fed me a similar sob story about having come to Toronto for a job interview from London, only to lose his wallet and he was short 20 dollars for his VIA ticket.

I gave him the money.

Only a few months later, just after Christmas, I saw this d-bag again, pulling the same routine outside the Union bus terminal.

I marched over and asked him how much he needed. This time it was 40 dollars.

I took out my phone and said we should call his wife (this was part of the 'story' - needing to get home to the wife and kids) and ask her to call VIA and reserve a ticket for him by credit card. He stared at me blankly and made up some BS excuse that they just moved into a new home and he couldn't remember the phone number. So, I said, how about a cell number for the wife? Guess what? She doesn't have one. Where's his? I ask. Again, doesn't have one.

Right.

So I said I would go with him to the counter and pay the difference for his ticket with my credit card. He then asks if I would consider buying the whole ticket so he could use the cash he's collected to buy food, because he hasn't eaten all day. I said I'd buy him a sandwich. He said he didn't want to put me out.

Right.

Two to one, he'd turn around and refund that ticket or at least try to. GO tickets are refundable and I've learned this is also part of this scam. These d-bags will take anyone up on their offer to buy a GO ticket only to refund it once the duped soul has left, telling the ticket agent they're now getting a ride home from a friend.

You may have seen these scammers actually come onto the train asking for money for tickets. Don't give them any.

I know there are people who legitimately find themselves in such a situation and will ask for help but these people would be asking people standing near a ticket counter, not out on the street.

Once the guy finished his story, I answered him in French.

Good book, eh? See ya later!