Sob stories, scams, frauds, caveats, warnings et al
By anaaibachan
@lizbenetua (637)
Philippines
December 12, 2009 8:14am CST
After coming from Angeles University Foundation to attend a Research Proposal Colloqium today, I accompanied my cousin Tina to Mercury Drug Store in Robinson's Place Manila. I told her that I will be waiting for her outside because I was eating Milo ice cream with the works, cookies, chocolate candies and mini malt chocolates. While I was waiting for her, I heard a man come up to me, wearing shabby clothing, asking me if I could spare money for his medication. It looked to me that he was up to something so I said " I am sorry I don't have money" which is the truth because I have enough money just for my fare and for some food.
Another incident of sob stories used for fraudulent scams happened to me while I was in Eastwood, Quezon. I was having my dinner at McDonalds when a man approached me again and asks me if I could allow him to put his SIM card inside my cellphone. I replied politely, "I'm sorry I can't". These are their scams to steal your precious cellphones away from you.
For foreigners, refuse a cab here in Manila if they tell you " Sir, kontrata po 300". They are suppose to charge what is in their meter,not ask the customer for upfront cash. The best cabs to ride here in Manila are AVIS and MGE. I am not sure of other cab companies but please let me know as well.
I will be adding more posts and updates of devious scams and stuff people do to hurt other people. This is even more prevalent at Christmas time...so please to those doing their Christmas shopping, beware, don't bring flashy wallets.
Hope to help you guys!
3 responses
@egawchua (34)
• Philippines
12 Dec 09
thanks for sharing this to us. i often give only food or bread to people who ask money specially young beggars coz some of them are just using the money to buy illegal stuff like rugby. there are so many scams other people will do just to steal from other people nowadays. so we better be carefull.
@lizbenetua (637)
• Philippines
13 Dec 09
It is so bad that people exploit the poor for their own personal agenda. And most of all, out of desperation, these people also buy it. The cycle will not end unless it is put to a stop.
@pillow08 (97)
• Philippines
12 Dec 09
First, Milo icecream -- Yummmy! I want some, too.
Second, as uncaring as it may sound but I have to admit I ignore the beggars and I never give them money. Instead, I give them loaves of bread, rice or clothes but never ever a penny.
Third, it really depends on the driver but I do sometimes encounter MGE drivers who want to charge me extra or choose passengers. Although, the incident is less frequent with the said Cab company. I experienced this as well in other countries like Malaysia, Thailand and China. At least we Filipinos are not the only ones, we even pick on our fellow Pinoys. *sarcasm*
Fourth, I really appreciate your thoughtfulness to warn everyone. ^_^ Kudos!
@lizbenetua (637)
• Philippines
12 Dec 09
Thanks for sharing this post. I never thought that MGE does that. That sucks. When I was working in the call center, most people in the office trust MGE.It will ruin their reputation. For upfront charges, it has to come from the customer not the driver. You can complain to their manager. Just get the ID of the cab and report it asap.
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
13 Dec 09
I don't give money to beggars because they earn more money than I do, seriously! Imagine someone who has a good heart and doesn't mind these scam stories will give him P20-P100, because he did indicate that it is for his medication. And I'm sure that in a day, he can approach more than a hundred people. So imagine in a hundred, ten will give him between P20-P100, that's more than P500.
I also try to catch MGE cabs when there is one available. I've had the sad experience of being charged too much with one R&E cab because his meter was running fast. I took a cab going to work everyday so I knew how much it would cost. I guess it was one of those "collorum" cabs.
