Question:
I was at another site today and was reminded about a scam that is fairly common and can be perpetrated on an unsuspecting driver in a heartbeat before ever realizing it has been done to you.
The basics of the scam are this. Someone posing as a construction worker offers to help you find your way through a construction project to your final destination. If you accept the help you will be hit up for money, which many times you will probably give because at the other end there may be two or three others waiting around and you become afraid for your safety.
Now here's exactly how the scam usually works.
In a larger urban area such as Chicago, Patterson, NJ, etc. is where these scams often take place. Here is how it goes.
You pull off the interstate and come up to a stop prepared to make either a left or right turn. There is a construction project going on in the direction you are needing to go. A guy dressed like a road costruction worker, often complete with hard hat and safety vests approaches your truck while you study the situation for a few seconds. This person then tells you about the big mess in that area and asks you where you are delivering to. He will then go on to tell you that your directions are worthless because of the construction and offers to go along with you and show you "the only way in". If you accept this person will try to enter your truck and if you refuse that will ride on the running boards. Upon seeing you to your destination, which may be the exact route your directions said to go, he will tell you that he is a free lancer and that he does this as a public service but since he doesn't get paid for it by the city or anything he would appreciate a little money for his time. A little money usually means about $20 per block traveled. If you refuse to pay him he will hint that bad things will happen to you or your truck, but that it won't be him that does it. Usually as you look around you will see several other men standing around within a block of where you are stopped at looking in your general direction. By this time most drivers are feeling somewhat intimidated and unnerved by the whole situation, not to mention stupid for falling for what now is apparently a big scam and will fork over as much money as they can just to make it all go away and normally it does.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
What Uturn says is true. I got burned by a scam similar to this in Elizabeth, NJ back in 1989. I was fresh out of driving school and had to deliver a load in there. As soon as I got off the freeway there was a "helpful citizen" who explained about all the low overpasses in the area and that he would get me to my destination. Being new and petrified about getting hung up somewhere, I accepted. This guy ran me around for about a half hour before I got to the destination. For his trouble, he wanted "cab fare" back to where I picked him up. He wanted $20, I balked at that and offered $10, knowing I might not see tomorrow if I didn't give him something. My argument was I needed toll money to get back out of NJ. He got $10 and I made my delivery. The receiving guy saw this and lectured me about what happened, he also gave me directions to get back to the freeway. It wasn't even 1/4 mile to the freeway from where I was and NO low overpasses. Thinking back, I'm probably lucky to be alive after that incident. I sure learned a lesson that day.

Answer:
$20. bucks for each block traveled? If you fall for that he deserves your cash. Maybe $5. bucks for the help would be more appropiate.
Sounds a bit like BS to me.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
UT-I told hubby about this post. He knew this could happen because it happened to his ex father in law a few years ago.
He was a trucker and was looking for directions. On the CB, came what he thought was helpful information and directions.
He followed the directions given only to find a couple of guys wanting his cash. Needless to say, he was shot by the guys.
Hubby says he rarely takes advise over CB unless more than one trucker gives it.
Scarry!

Answer:
Thunderbolt, as a regular visitor to Wakefern Foods in Eliz, you will be happy to know the "low bridge scam" is alive and well. There are signs all over the gate house warning drivers. This summer I was waiting in line when a driver was reading the warning and said"Hey that just happened to Me!!"
Low bridge scam also used at Westchester ave exit for Hunts Point Market
I never heard of the constuction scam > Seems pretty difficult to pull off.
Big City ltl scam. Man with hand truck waiting on crowded side walk Truck pulls up double parked. Man walks to back of door. Driver hands down the freight, Man signs for freight. Truck driver drives away with signed bill. Man disappears.
Another scam :Those packaged cordless phones they sell on the corner have no insides
Another scam: 3 card Monty THEY ARE ALL IN ON THE JOKE BUT YOU!!!!!!!!!!!