Homeless vs Con Artist

Whenever I see people on the streets asking for money I also do give them whatever I have. Just spare change though. In a way I feel bad but now I second guess my self alot. The other day I was riding the city bus and saw a man well dressed, not in his best clothes but pretty decent guy with a torn up backpack; I thought he must be a college student. We get off at the bus stop and at the street corner was a gas station, he went into the gas station and as soon as he came out I noticed that he was dressed awful. I couldn't help but to stare at him I was confused. Then he sits right next to the street and pulls out a cardboard sign that said "Please help. I'll do anything for food. God Bless." I was so shocked and from now on I don't give out money anymore I simply give them some food if I have any or a bottle of water. They don't seem to please with that but as the saying goes 'beggers can't be choosers'.

Would I give money? No. We've had way too many con artists in my area for it. There are far too many who stand out there to get money who are not homeless. I live in a small area although not too far from the big city so you get to know faces. When I see one that was out begging earlier in the day and then later see him with others sitting outside the store with a cell phone in hand, very clean clothes and leaning against a decent car then you know something isn't right. They have had reports on the news about some being picked up since technically panhandling is illegal in some of the areas..and the ones picked up have had hundreds if not thousands of dollars on them. They've done others where they will follow people and see them get into brand new cars and go to nice houses. Yes I will admit there are some out there that are in need. I won't deny that but it is very hard to tell which is which. I'm more then willing to help, to give some food or clothes to people in need but out and out cash I don't give.

No, I don't give to them, simply because it's hard to tell if they're really homeless. Perhaps they should try to find a shelter instead of asking people for money on the street.

I gave a couple of times each time I wanted to see the money go to food so I got them meals from mcdonalds or BK and what I saw I didnt like and I wont give again. they threw the food on the ground after they checked the bag for money. so I wont give anymore.

I've always driven off. I find begging distasteful. They could work at their local Salvation Army if nothing else. There are jobs out there but they are too lazy to go find them. I've also heard about the con artists who are actually quite well off thanks to begging.

When I visited the USA I was shocked at the number of homeless people on street corners asking for handouts, I also saw a few with a sign similar to the one you saw.Although we do have a homeless problem here we do not see people begging for help. I would be less inclined to hand them money as I would some food or clothing.

before donating, I would inform the person that there are places which would acept homeless people and from there he could find a job to support himself. If they deny this..then I would walk off

No...