Should I have said something?

[GaryC 7]

I was at the Kroger store today renting a carpet shampooer. (getting ready for Luz's arrival) I was at the customer service counter and in front of me was a VERY elderly man. He must have been in his upper 80's. He was struggling to fill out a Western Union money transfer form. He was copying information from an email he had printed out. I was minding my own business and not particularly paying attention to what he was doing. He was taking a very long time to get the form filled out so another worker asked me to come to the counter next to him so she could help me. I got a glimpse of the email he was copying from and I saw that it was from someone from Kenya. I still didn't think anything of it until the cashier said it would be $2150.00! At that point I admit I got a little nosy and peeked at the email again. It said something about fees to transfer money for an inheritance!!!! By the time it all sunk in the little old man had left. I am kicking myself now for not flagging him down and saying something to him. It sure looks like he is a victim of one of those scams. Should I have stopped him?

[Mags 112]

I was at the Kroger store today renting a carpet shampooer. (getting ready for Luz's arrival) I was at the customer service counter and in front of me was a VERY elderly man. He must have been in his upper 80's. He was struggling to fill out a Western Union money transfer form. He was copying information from an email he had printed out. I was minding my own business and not particularly paying attention to what he was doing. He was taking a very long time to get the form filled out so another worker asked me to come to the counter next to him so she could help me. I got a glimpse of the email he was copying from and I saw that it was from someone from Kenya. I still didn't think anything of it until the cashier said it would be $2150.00! At that point I admit I got a little nosy and peeked at the email again. It said something about fees to transfer money for an inheritance!!!! By the time it all sunk in the little old man had left. I am kicking myself now for not flagging him down and saying something to him. It sure looks like he is a victim of one of those scams. Should I have stopped him?

To be honest, he would have probably told you to mind your own business. The other thing to remember those scams play off a human's natural greed, they promise you a percentage of millions of dollars. It was his own greed that more than likely triggered this in the first place...

I sound heartless I know, but life is unfair in so many ways.

Edited March 18, 2007 by mags

[GaryC 7]

To be honest, he would have probably told you to mind your own business. The other thing to remember those scams play off a human's natural greed, they promise you a percentage of millions of dollars. It was his own greed that more than likely triggered this in the first place...

I sound heartless I know, but life is unfair in so many ways.

Normally I would say the same thing. But this guy was VERY old and seemed a little confused. I am not sure if he was able to understand what was going on.

[rebeccajo 14]

Gary, I don't think you should feel heartless. I mean - it's not like he was lying there wounded and bleeding and you stepped over him.

I wonder if he would have cared what you said? My grandfather was always sending money for sweepstakes and things he got in the mail. Thank God he didn't use the internet. My grandmother would tell him to stop it and he didn't care. Just kept doing it anyway.

[AUBGER 0]

To be honest, he would have probably told you to mind your own business. The other thing to remember those scams play off a human's natural greed, they promise you a percentage of millions of dollars. It was his own greed that more than likely triggered this in the first place...

I sound heartless I know, but life is unfair in so many ways.

Normally I would say the same thing. But this guy was VERY old and seemed a little confused. I am not sure if he was able to understand what was going on.

I dont know...I dont usually like getting into anyone's business though

[GaryC 7]

I dont know...I dont usually like getting into anyone's business though

Same here, but I really hate to see someone getting taken advantage of like that.

[Sharon 1]

I was at the Kroger store today renting a carpet shampooer. (getting ready for Luz's arrival) I was at the customer service counter and in front of me was a VERY elderly man. He must have been in his upper 80's. He was struggling to fill out a Western Union money transfer form. He was copying information from an email he had printed out. I was minding my own business and not particularly paying attention to what he was doing. He was taking a very long time to get the form filled out so another worker asked me to come to the counter next to him so she could help me. I got a glimpse of the email he was copying from and I saw that it was from someone from Kenya. I still didn't think anything of it until the cashier said it would be $2150.00! At that point I admit I got a little nosy and peeked at the email again. It said something about fees to transfer money for an inheritance!!!! By the time it all sunk in the little old man had left. I am kicking myself now for not flagging him down and saying something to him. It sure looks like he is a victim of one of those scams. Should I have stopped him?

While there are those who say/think that they don't like to get involved or get into anyone else's business...I think, if it were me, I would have definitely stopped him and said something to him. Even tho he might have just told me to go take a flying leap and mind my own business, at least I'd know I tried.

Nothing ventured...nothing gained.

[Fandango 1,439]

I would have said something, but I'm sure it would have been an awkward conversation.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I'm the type that intervenes. What are they gonna do to me? Yell at me? No biggie, at least I tried.

[Dan J 277]

Poor old man.

Edited March 18, 2007 by Dan + Gemvita

[*julez* 124]

I definitely would have said something. Just the way I am. Whether or not he listened - well, not my problem. At least I wou;d have tried. But with that said Gary, I don't think you should beat yourself up over this. You probably wouldn't have changed his mind anyway. As others have stated, there is a certain greed factor likely involved here. Move on!

[Otto 83]

Had I been in your shoes.. and not absorbed in my own little world like I tend to be..I would like to think I would have done something... I doubt the elderly man would have minded and probably would have appreciated it and felt embarrased...

To answer 'the question', yes I think we should help each other if and when we can.

Not saying I would have for sure - but if I hadn't, I would've felt like you do now...

[Mary Lou 681]

Like others have said, i would have said something to him as well. Granted he could have told you to MYOB, then again he might have started to question what the email was about. So sad though.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I was at the Kroger store today renting a carpet shampooer. (getting ready for Luz's arrival) I was at the customer service counter and in front of me was a VERY elderly man. He must have been in his upper 80's. He was struggling to fill out a Western Union money transfer form. He was copying information from an email he had printed out. I was minding my own business and not particularly paying attention to what he was doing. He was taking a very long time to get the form filled out so another worker asked me to come to the counter next to him so she could help me. I got a glimpse of the email he was copying from and I saw that it was from someone from Kenya. I still didn't think anything of it until the cashier said it would be $2150.00! At that point I admit I got a little nosy and peeked at the email again. It said something about fees to transfer money for an inheritance!!!! By the time it all sunk in the little old man had left. I am kicking myself now for not flagging him down and saying something to him. It sure looks like he is a victim of one of those scams. Should I have stopped him?

You can't prevent a fool parting from his money.

[GaryC 7]

I guess I should have said something. But the store was very crowded and I really hate sticking my nose into other peoples business. My fear was that I would have been wrong and made a fool of myself but in hindsight I really should have at least made an attempt.