Do you give alms to the beggars in the street?

You don't and probably that is what they will do! I have literally seen people begging for money and then watch them walk over to a cadillac and get in and drive away! I was at a light last week, and across the way was a guy, limping around holding sign asking for money... he limped to the car to get it and limped back to the corner when the light changed. As soon as those cars drove through the light... he stopped limping and walked to the corner and pressed the cross-walk button to stop the traffic! Then when the cars stopped at the light... he started limping again! This was a huge scam few years ago out here in CA. Every corner had them and the media went on investigations and all and found that those "pan-handling" were better off than most! They went to their cars, homes etc. Whats' really bad is when they have a kid out there with them. Both dressed skrumpy and the sign says "need money to buy milk for child". I don't have a problem helping people, but in this case...just to many scams to take the chance. I'll donate to a food bank or shelter.. but never to anyone on the street. I have noticed this past christmas that Salvation Army didn't have the jingle buckets outside stores much nor were there people with their little tables asking for donations for this or that. I think people have caught on and don't give. Plus...hopefully the cops have been patroling and asking for licenses or permits or something to prove the charity is real or whatever.

...funny thing that happened to me a few times, I handed them food and they refused. They're really after moolah! haha

I will help almost anyone directley,for example they hold a sign that says "Hungry please help." I will give them some food. However the only people that I truly go out of my way to help are former Military and children. My town has set up a shelter for homless veterans and every holliday I try to get them something special like turkeys for thanksgiving. Just handing some person with a sign money is not really my thing unless its payday and I have some spare change in my pocket.

That is so nice of you. I thought about that, too. Just, of course, you can't just ignore the possible consequences. Fact is, those who are under syndicates often have their consciences not functioning. That's how they earn so, why should they care? My fear in disregarding possibilities that they could just be part of a terrorist group is the alarming danger it could bring. They can collect money for weapons which could victimize others... worse, my own friends, relatives or even a family member.