Question:
There are all sorts of scams going on out there with the sole intent of trying to take your hard earned money.
Some of the common ones that I have seen are:
Guy comes up to you saying he is stranded and needs gas money to get home or to some funeral or something. (Car may be broke down and needs money for a bus ticket). He promises to pay you back if you will give him your name and address. You are looking at losing the money you "loan" him plus you are setting yourself up for identity theft.
You get off the freeway and at the top of the ramp is someone offering to show you to your final destination. They will tell you about the low overpasses, or about how construction has made your directions invalid. They refuse to tell you how to get there but will show you. When you get to your destination they will ask for, demand money for thier services. Sometimes these people will dress to look like construction workers complete with hard hats and safety vests.
Someone will come up to you saying they have this great deal on some expensive item, but in reality they item is some real cheap knock off. Cameras are a popular items, as is flashlights, and computer software.
Answer:
One that I was told about, but haven't seen personally, is the "Damsil in distress." Woman or girl (depending on your point of view), tearfully aproaches trucker and gets him to take her to his truck under some pretext. Knock on door, boyfriend with gun, "Damsil" takes drivers money and leaves. Driver doesn't report it because now he's in trouble for having an "unauthorized passenger" in his vehicle.... I ride for those who can't! POW/MIA - You are NOT forgotten!!
Lead, Follow or get out of my way!!!

Answer:
I just ignore them, as it's unbelievalbe how much money panhandlers do actually make, all TAX-FREE!
I hear all sorts of excuses, just easier to run them off! I was working on my truck in El Paso one day several months ago, and two bums walked up to me. Something told me to grab my pry bar out of my tool box- glad I did, as it scared them away!Not liable for any information posted.

Answer:
They also use that damsil in distress routine along side the Interstate/highway.
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As much as you may want to "help" the panhandlers, it's best just to ignore them & keep going about your business...They try to get to your emotions & sensitive side.
Although, I must admit that you really do need to follow your instincts....sometimes(once every blue moon) the panhandler is legit.
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Be careful what you say on the CB & Who you say it to(even to fellow company drvrs).....Truckers are Not the only ones with CBs.
Same goes for talking with drvrs in the restaurant.(it could be someone posing as a drvr trying to "pump" you for information.)

Answer:
These scams are serious business but here are also some funny stories that can go with them.
I was in NJ one time and got approached at a red light by one of those "I'll show you the way" cons. He climbed up on my running boards, made his pitch, I said thanks but No thanks but he refused to get off the side of my truck so when the light turned green I let out on the clutch, hit the go pedal and we were off. Within 1/2 a block I was up to 7th gear and 35 miles per hour.
The con artists is hanging on for dear life yelling and screaming at me to stop. Calling me everything but a white man. Three blocks up the road we went past a cop writing a ticket. The cop looked up and seen this guy hanging on my truck and as we went by the cop said something to the effect of :
"Looks like you picked the wrong truck. Better hold on Leroy."
Well Leroy got lucky as the next light up was red so I had to stop.
Answer:

They actually wrote an article last summer about how much money the local panhandlers make. VERY upsetting to the local government!- Pete
The only source of knowledge is experience.
- Albert Einstein
Cj aka Fairedust

Answer:
I'm surprised you think endangering someone is humerous Uturn,
you sure put YOUR job on the line in that case.
I've also noticed the Number One scam in "Trucking" hasn't been mentioned.
The famous Driving is a high payed adventure story.
Answer:

Personally, I think that the scumbag endangered his own life climbing up onto the truck in the first place. I would have probably done the same thing. If he doesn't get off the truck as it is starting to move, then he gets what he deserves.

Answer:

I agree; the "SCUMBAG" had EVERY opportunity to step off of his truck when he felt it moving!
In fact, I would have done exactly what UTurn did...... and I did it before in New Orleans several years ago!
On another note: If any of you ever stop at the Pilot on I-20, exit #470 in Dallas, you'll notice there's a LOT of panhandlers around there (but thankfully, the lot is fenced in, and there is security on site to keep them out). Those truck stops in Dallas are BAD about having a lot of bums there. If you're going east or west on I-20 in Texas, you're better off parking at the Rip Griffin's at exit #503, or in Weatherford (Petro at exit #410, or the Pilot at exit #406 are good, quiet places to park).
BY ALL MEANS, AVOID PARKING IN DALLAS IF YOU CAN!Not liable for any information posted.

Answer:
So how much do the panhandlers make?

Answer:

MORE THAN FED-EX DRIVERS FOR SURE!
Admit it, Chad! YOU WALKED INTO THAT ONE!
("Tap-Tap"........bobble, bobble, bobble)- "Good Chaddie Bobble-Head!"
Seriously, it's been said in some news report that some panhandlers are making as much as $70,000 per year !Not liable for any information posted.

Answer:
What was funny was the cop yelling "Hold on Leroy".
Besides. Leroy was an adult, and I am a firm believer in personal accountabiltiy. If you break into someones house and they shoot you....well that is just too bad.
Answer:
Don't forget about the Lumper scams.
You pull into Windixie foods.
A guy jumps up on your truck out side of the gate. Asks what you have. You say Unilever. He says he is a lumper and will do the load for 100.00 He will also get you a dock.
You pull in with said hired lumper.
You get a docked up ans ready to be unloaded. The lumper now needs a comcheck number before he can start. He has to make sur ethe money is there. He has been screwed so many times.
30 mins latter you wander why they havn't started on you?
You go in. No lumper. Guess what just happened!
Happens every day.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

Answer:
Don't forget about the Lumper scams.
You pull into Windixie foods.
A guy jumps up on your truck out side of the gate. Asks what you have. You say Unilever. He says he is a lumper and will do the load for 100.00 He will also get you a dock.
You pull in with said hired lumper.
You get a docked up ans ready to be unloaded. The lumper now needs a comcheck number before he can start. He has to make sur ethe money is there. He has been screwed so many times.
30 mins latter you wander why they havn't started on you?
You go in. No lumper. Guess what just happened!
Happens every day.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

Answer:
Don't forget about the Lumper scams.
You pull into Windixie foods.
A guy jumps up on your truck out side of the gate. Asks what you have. You say Unilever. He says he is a lumper and will do the load for 100.00 He will also get you a dock.
You pull in with said hired lumper.
You get a docked up ans ready to be unloaded. The lumper now needs a comcheck number before he can start. He has to make sur ethe money is there. He has been screwed so many times.
30 mins latter you wander why they havn't started on you?
You go in. No lumper. Guess what just happened!
Happens every day.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!