其他童鞋注意：A common scam involving begging for help with grocery

A common scam involving begging for help with grocery bills has been reported at various retailers likeWalmart, Kroger, andPublix. Scammers often approach shoppers in the store or parking lot with a sob story, asking them to pay for items, such as formula or a full cart of groceries.

Common Tactics and Red Flags

• The Full Cart Pivot:A scammer may ask you to pay for a few small items, but when you reach the register, you realize their cart is actually full of expensive items.
• Baby Formula/Necessity Hook:They may claim they need money for baby formula or essential items to elicit sympathy.
• Refunding for Cash:After you pay for their items, the scammers may return the items to the store to get cash back.
• Counterfeit Currency:They might attempt to pay you back with fake money.
• Distraction at Self-Checkout:Scammers may watch you enter your PIN at a self-checkout, then use a distraction (like a dropped $10 or $20 bill) to steal your card.
• Urgency and Pressure:They often act quickly and under pressure to prevent you from thinking through the situation.

How to Protect Yourself

• Decline Politely:Say no thank you firmly, even loudly if necessary.
• Do Not Pay:Do not agree to pay for strangers groceries.
• Notify Staff:Immediately report the person to store management or security.
• Be Aware of Surroundings:Be cautious, especially in parking lots.

If you have been a victim of this scam, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) atReportFraud.ftc.gov.