Approached by Homeless Person by Safeway

As we left Safeway earlier tonight we were approached by a young female carrying a baby on her hip that had a cardboard sign that said she was homeless and the baby needed food. I gave the girl the few bucks that I had in cash and as we walked away she got on her cell phone and started to talk to somebody. I was wondering if anybody else has been approached in this manner. When I shared this with a neighbor they had a similar experience outside of Harris Teeter.

 

Homeless with a cell phone, hmmm. How does she pay that bill? We never, ever hand over cash. I would have bought her a meal if she was hungry or taken her to the store to buy formula or baby food. Not quite sure where she'd be staying in Ashburn if she's homeless. The closest shelters are in Leesburg, correct? A little fishy....

 

That's an old scam.

 

I agree, it is an old scam and in NJ I told someone once... let me call the non-emergency number for the police to help you find a shelter since it is dangerous for you and your baby to be out here alone and before I could pull out my cell phone the woman walked away.

 

It is a gypsy scam. They drive in from Alexandria. Report to LCSO and they will "help".

 

Is Alexandria their known homebase or something?

 

For many yes. They are a traveling community up and down the east coast and when in nova they typically stay at motels/apartments in alexandria area (from what i've been told). A car will drop them off at various strip malls and the same scam is pulled all day long.

 

There were two recently at the Giant store by the Home Depot.

 

Found a link to a discussion board about this subject in NOVA. Known as the Travelers, they travel up and down the coast scamming homeowners, many elderly, out of $$$ for performing phony home maintenance jobs such as roofing, plumbing and electrical. The women are often used to prey on elderly men with offers of companionship only to falsely befriend and rob them over time. I think they're homebase is in SC.

http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/638976/645783.html

 

When I was working in DC and riding the metro, it was common to have homeless approach. After I gave someone a couple bucks, a preacher came up to me and said not to give money but instead, recommend the nearest shelter for the night where he or she could get a hot meal and shelter. He mentioned that most often, the money is used for drugs and not food or childcare needs.

Gypsy/Travelers are just frustrating individuals.