Parking lot scam attempt

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Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 2:17 am

I talked to my father on the phone tonight, and he told me about an experience in a Home Depot parking a couple of nights ago.

Essentially a man comes up to him with a home depot gift card. He gives him a sob story about how all he had was a credit card, and Home depot wouldn't let him take cash back, so he bought this $125 gift card, but since he desperately needs cash, so he'll sell it to my father for $75. He offers to show him ta receipt to prove it is worth $125.

I have no doubt that the card this guy was offering had little or no value (it seems like gift card scams are on the rise), --the guy probably bought 25 $5 cards, or used the value of this one up, or just swiped some non-activated cards from the store.

I owe my cynicism and skepticism to my father--by the time I was 5, he had already very thoroughly taught me the expressions "There is no such thing as a free lunch", "Life isn't fair", and There's a sucker born every minute". He is aware of my scam-related activities and every once in a while gets into discussions of the current hot scams. This is one grey-haired potential victim who definitely isn't falling for it, and he told the guy to f*** off.

But I wonder how many people would have fallen for this rather brazen approach--my guess is quite a few people would have jumped for that $50 profit being offered.

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 2:31 am

Good on your Dad to spot it. Good on you for letting him know about scammers (who come in all sizes shapes and genders).

I wonder what would have happened if your Dad ad called the police. Maybe you could have put a shiny badge in his honor! Cool

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 2:37 am

He wouldn't have fallen for it either way--he is the one who taught me to be a skeptic. I did ask if he had called the police--he was shocked enough at the blatant attempt to scam him in the middle of a public parking lot that he didn't think to do so, and he's a little bummed now that he didn't.

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:24 pm

wow,
i hope the wallet inspector gets the scammer !

your dad seems to be very level headed. good for you both !