I haven't seen groups of people like that, but an occasional person claiming they need money for gas. I don't give it-seems to happen too often. I've also been approached several times at Walgreens being asked to help with rx money.

We had that happen recently. They guy said, "I don't want money, just a little gas." DH said no. Then the guy drove off. It was at a large gas station in the desert. The guy could easily have had a gun, and there weren't many people around. It was scary.

I haven't seen that yet Glenda just have to be aware and keep thoe car windows closed and hand to the ready on your horn. and the cell phone at the ready too IMHO
Stay safe

Gas is self pump for the most part here, and while I haven't been approached in my town, my mother (84 1/2!) has 2 hours from here, more than once. It makes me so angry that someone would approach a fragile little lady I could just start slapping, and would if I were there.

This is a full sized Safeway grocery/florist/pharmacy with gas pumps, the best price in town. It's pump your own, same as the Fred Meyer on the next block. I called the store and raised holy hell the last time she told me, it frightens her. They have an attendant to take money and sell drinks, snacks in a center station, they need to be watching more closely.

Mother won't buy gas or groceries, even if she's out of something, at, or after, dusk any more.

Scary stuff....
We saw the same young guy come up to us while we were parked by a fast food place, asking for money, twice.
My husband asked if he wanted to do yard work and he said yes,
but when DH went to pick him up the next day, at the agreed upon place, he was not there.
If we see him again I wonder what his excuse will be...

"...blew their horn multi times..."

If that happened in California, I'd be willing to bet that the gas station(s) would take down the license plate number and file a complaint with the DMV. Why? Because in California, where nearly every pump is self-service, if you have a handicapped placard or DP license plates you are entitled to have your gas pumped for you, even at a self-serve pump. You honk your horn a couple of times to get the attention of the attendants, and then they have to come out and pump your gas. That is, as long as more than one person is on duty, so the cash registers inside aren't left unattended.

Of course, if you have able-bodied folks with you, they should pump your gas. The attendants pumping it for you is only if you are alone and the placard or plates are issued to you.

This is a pump yourself station and always busy. Asked them one time WHEN and if they were ever NOT busy and they said BRIEFLY around 4 a.m.

This man was definitely soliciting for money. As I was going around and out, he had gone to 3 different people pumping their gas.

And there are NO attendants outside. If you have a problem you press the button, they will answer or come out if you are having a problem getting it started, etc.

lindsey, I'll have to check and see if the same is true in Washington. Mother is able to pump her own gas, but she does have a handicapped parking placard, has had it since two hip and one back surgery....its for her lifetime.

Write to the corporation CEO and let them know. Also contact the local law enforcement and they usually will at least contact the station. Not happening here in ND yet, but would not be surprised if it did. It did happen to us in the San Fernando Valley (near Los Angeles) last time we got gas. DH handed him a small bill, he went over and put gas into the car and came back and told us thank you. Sure surprised us and made us feel good. But that is the exception. You are right, they are really strict in CA to that problem. But then many of the drivers are carrying guns too--sad to say!!!
But IF it does happen while you are filling, and others are around you, just tell person No in a very loud voice--or say are you kidding--- anything to attract attention. Love my on star for that.

Unbelievably, that even happens here, in NJ. Our stations are all full-serve--it's illegal to pump your own here. Even so, the fellow at the station down the block from us, where we often fill up, was saying he had been having a problem with a guy pestering customers. And guess what? The gas station is NEXT DOOR to the police station. You'd think people would have better sense, wouldn't you?

While traveling in Ohio recently, a young male came up to my husband while he was pumping gas and asked for 50 cents so he could get some 'fries' at McDolalds next door. Husband didn't have any change, so held out a dollar bill to him. The guy said, "Sir, all I need is fifty cents". Hubby answered, "Take the buck and keep the change"
He took it and hurried off into McDonalds.
Now, what was that all about???

Here you don't find full service, or at least in my area.

Most frequented station, here, is Race Trac, and they are busy busy busy. Cheapest gas in area.

That sounds hungry (McDonalds), and hungry I really wouldn't mind helping.

But there have been articles on panhandling in our paper, alerting people to how much an experienced aggressive panhandler will take in - it's more than legal unemployment benefits. So how does one know - when to say no way! and when to give if possible.

With my Mom though, every dollar counts on her little income, my sis and I send grocery gift cards every month so she won't shop quite so cheaply, and will turn up her heat a couple of degrees. It's not her turn to share.

Oregon State does not allow one to pump their own gas (diesel at the truck stop, yes): Not looking forward to heading out on Tuesday to see how the rest of you pump your own gas. It will seam strange. Have to do some thinking about those pan-handlers, as they are limited on what they can do here. I DO remember it well, tho.

This is why I only go to a full-service station near my home. My Dad taught me never to let the gas go below a quarter. And I only pay with cash, never credit cards. Those "attendants" are notorious for double-swiping CCs.

Glenda as you know I live near Hwy 119 close to I65. My husband has been approached twice for this scam. The first time it was at a gas station near I-65 and a young woman approached him. She had an elderly man in the car with her and said she needed $$ to get home - she had Georgia plates. The second time it was the same lady and she approached him at a gas station downtown. When my husband told her he recognized her from a few days ago she hurriedly went to her car and sped away. Please be careful - my husband said she seemed so normal and it's alarming that she involved an elderly person in her scam.

I told a man once, I don't mind giving you a buck but now I have to pull out my wallet and unfortunately I have to fear you grabbing the whole wallet. He walked across the parking lot and waited until I put my wallet back and walked to him.

For gas I say no I'm using a card.

I wish we had full service here. (Do they clean your windshield?) Sometimes, especially in the winter, my fingers are so stiff I can't get the CC out of the slot. We have one station that I know of where if you toot your horn they will come out and pump for you. I appreciate that.

If I were asked for money I would tell them that I don't carry cash. If I saw beggars at the same station over and over, I would not go to that station any more.

Sue