Bogus story? Woman gives homeless "bum" her credit card, he returns it.

[Hannah Bell]

A Manhattan homeless man had an emotional reunion yesterday with the kindhearted ad executive who lent him her American Express Platinum Card outside a SoHo restaurant, in what became a shining act of generosity, trust and honesty.

"I didn't have to thank him. I trusted him all along," said Merrie Harris, 45, as she hugged Jay Valentine, 32, outside La Esquina on Kenmare Street.

Harris lent her card to Valentine there Monday after he asked her for change. Most people who witnessed the act of extreme generosity doubted he would ever come back. But a short time later, he returned with the card, stunning many and earning Valentine the title of Most Honest Homeless Man in the City.




Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/reunion_with_amex_angel_dFCLsWzzXEj2mwhFn6g2IJ?offset=8#comments#ixzz0wX2Onn00


I tend to think there's something wrong with this story:

1. The guy's not exactly your typical homeless person (apparently very clean, former real-estate employee, high-end designer cigarettes)

http://www.natsherman.com/

2. How does he go off alone with a woman's credit card & 1) not get asked for ID & 2) fake her signature?

3. How many internet cafes let people sleep overnight unless they know the people?

[Taverner]

1. As per #2 - He could be her husband

I have signed for my wive's credit card

And she has signed for mine

[havocmom]

11. And some professional women us intials on their credit cards

I have no problem believing someone could get away with using another's card. Many merchants don't as for ID

[Skittles]

2. and why wouldn't she just go with him?

I had lunch with a homeless guy in Philly via credit card (I didn't have cash and, heck, we were both hungry) but I wouldn't give my credit card to ANYONE

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. In other news, credit card companies are giving out credit card

apps to homeless persons in the hopes they can lay claim to alleys and sidewalks.

[LisaL]

4. I certainly wouldn't recommend this to anyone, no matter

how trustworthy a homeless person appears.

[bergie321]

5. #2

Merchants are not allowed to ask you for ID if you pay with a credit card. If you give them your ID, you are providing a complete stranger with your credit card number, likely billing address, date of birth, and in some states your social security number. Merchants do not need your ID. If they process the card and the credit card company approves the transaction, they are guaranteed payment.

[LisaL]

6. But wouldn't he have to sign it?

Clearly his signature would be completely different than the card's owner.

[Hannah Bell]

7. "are not allowed" = false.

[LAGC]

8. Lots of places don't check for ID nor match credit card signatures.

Many fast-food places just spit out a receipt and call it good. Or like cafes, if they do require a signature, the clerk rarely checks. They generally just hand the card back along with the receipt for you to sign.

Then there's all those VISA Gift Cards floating around these days, where the card isn't even in your name.

So I wouldn't discount the story just because of that.

[JI7]

9. maybe he is someone she knew and he is going through some hard times but not really homeless

maybe she is looking to get some attention from media and maybe rewards and a reality tv show.

[Hannah Bell]

12. i kind of thought she might have known him somehow.

[havocmom]

16. or maybe she is just a good person who realizes 'there but for the grace of...

... go I'

My sister never handed her credit card over (to my knowledge) but I know for a fact she took some people shopping for decent coats, gloves, hats in winter.

Good happens. Many people who are successful weren't always and remember what struggling is like. Many have empathy. Many know that there, but for the grace of what ever you believe, in go I.

And as to the OP's comment about the homeless person looking clean: OMG! what a chip on a shoulder! LOTS of homeless people are not crazed bums who like to go without bathing. There are places where homeless people can shower or at least wash up. I know some nice people at a couple of gyms who allow a few people in to use showers. Yeah, that's right, some people will risk their jobs to help others who have lost jobs.

[Cleita]

10. Let's put it this way. I believe most homeless are

honest because if they were thieves, they wouldn't be homeless having taken money dishonestly to support themselves.

[LisaL]

13. Money don't grow on trees.

[MichaelHarris]

17. We all know that.

It grows on Insurance executives!

[ipaint]

14. Since when is it ok to use that slur when referring to folks too poor to

afford shelter. That headline is disgusting.

[Hannah Bell]

15. what?

[ipaint]

18. The headline in the story.

People are ok with homeless people being referred to as "bums". That headline makes me cringe.

[Hannah Bell]

24. ah. i thought you meant my headline in scare quotes.

[ipaint]

27. No not at all.

The most popular thread on an unemployment forum I belong to is about how to survive being homeless. One guy just blew his brains out because his ill wife and daughter where in a shelter and he could not find a job and had used up his 99 weeks, he was living in a van. This problem is going to be huge shortly.

[taterguy]

19. Lighten up Francis

[ipaint]

20. No, not this time. nt

[taterguy]

21. Oh wait, you're an artist. You must be used to that slur

[ipaint]

22. LOL.

[MarthaM]

23. I never get asked to show ID

Clerks rarely even ask to see my card. And around here, if you buy $25 or less you just swipe and that's it. No signature required.

[HipChick]

26. Me either..and half my cards are not signed

[REP]

25. Sherman's aren't "designer" butts (although Fantasias are pretty)

They cost a buck or two more per pack, but they last longer (packed tighter than brands with additives for taste and to keep them burning). The homeless here are always hitting me up for MCDs because they last twice as long as a Cowboy Killer.