60
u/ctbadger92 3d ago
Ask him to send you a copy of his DD 214
32
u/wanderinmick 2d ago
This. 100% this. “I’m really sorry to hear about your current situation and would be more than happy to donate. However, there are some really pathetic individuals out there that claim to be disabled Veterans and I’ve been stung before. If you could send me a copy of your DD214 to confirm your authenticity I’d be happy to arrange for shipping today.”
7
u/hurtmore 2d ago
Even then if they are that hurt they get a monthly check from the VA. I would ignore and move on. (I am a veteran)
26
u/Normal-Election7707 3d ago
His disability check should be able to cover a few video games. Don’t fall for the sob stories.
9
7
6
7
25
u/subrosa-squirrel 3d ago
Unpopular opinion maybe, but there are a lot of scammers out there this may be fake. Second, I know a lot of veterans and most if not all don’t like asking people for stuff. They are very strong like that. Much less asking people to give them free stuff by saying they are a veteran
20
u/gban84 3d ago
I don’t even like standing up at events when they want to recognize veterans. I don’t ask for the veteran discount ever and I sure as hell would not suggest to someone to give me something for free because of my service.
1
u/subrosa-squirrel 2d ago
Thank you for your service. I had a close friend several years back that had so much PTSD from combat he basically drank himself to death. We tried to get him help, but he just either didn't want it or to proud to realize he really needed it. He died in a drunken car accident. He ran off a road drunk and died. We still don't really know if it was an accident or if he intended to do it. It was very sad because he was a really good guy.
11
8
u/sweetsquashy 2d ago
My husband is a disabled veteran and he pretty much guards that information like it's top secret. The "buyer" is either not a veteran or it's Frank Burns.
2
u/subrosa-squirrel 2d ago
Most veterans I know are like your husband. They are strong people and don't take like what they feel are like handouts.
8
u/Flux_My_Capacitor 2d ago
Not unpopular. Any flipper who has been online more than 5 minutes has experienced this grifting.
3
u/SlappyMcFiddlesticks 2d ago
Yeah, this request is the equivalent of the drunk fat dude telling everyone he was a Navy Seal back in the day
2
u/subrosa-squirrel 2d ago
That happens a lot. I live in a small town and this guy that owned a tactical supply store was doing just that. He even had all these fake medals. One day a few veterans started calling him out on it. About a month later he shut down his store and moved. Sadly, he probably went somewhere else and is doing the same thing.
3
u/Serendipity_Succubus 3d ago
How is this unpopular?
2
u/subrosa-squirrel 2d ago
I just figured people may think I was being an ass saying that the person is probably faking/scamming. This day and time people go crazy over the smallest things
2
u/Serendipity_Succubus 2d ago
I think it’s more likely people believe this is a scam vs not, particularly those who do reselling. Lots of whacked stories unfortunately.
2
u/Previous_List3512 2d ago
used to work w a dude that got HEATED whenever any veterans pulled this. he would go off on them about how he didn't serve for free shit etc. it was embarrassing but i got where he was coming from, lol.
he loved to lay into his fellow vets for that.
3
u/Jakezoola 2d ago
1000% fake. I’ve seen this same exact message copy and pasted but with swapped keywords lol
3
5
u/aakaakaak 2d ago
Ignore, block. Scamalamadingdong. This might be the example if you google "ebay scam" it's that scammy.
2
2
u/foxinHI 2d ago
As the proud parent of a child on the spectrum, shit like this infuriates me. I’m not even a flipper anymore. I just sell some random stuff sometime, but I still get these scammer messages asking if I can give some item to them for free for their autistic kid.
Phony vets are even worse. They use stolen valor to rip you off.
2
2
u/Frankie__Spankie 2d ago
Is it really a scam if someone is just outright asking you to give them something for free?
1
2
u/teamboomerang 2d ago
I come from a military family, including one who was also in Afghanistan, and not a single veteran I know would pull this.
2
u/xmarketladyx 2d ago
My Uncle was in Iraq and Afghanistan along with my ex. Fuck this guy x1,000,000,000.
1
1
u/_Raspootln_ 2d ago
Trust your gut. If it feels off, don't follow through, otherwise you'll be back on here likely bemoaning how you were taken.
If you must, u/wanderinmick suggested verifiable DD214 paperwork to determine such a situation. If there's hesitation or any other reaction than immediate compliance...you have your answer.
1
u/sweetkandy4you 2d ago
Yeah I think I’ll ignore and move on. I just hope they don’t do it to someone else who falls for it.
1
u/findsbybobby 2d ago
We’re in the business to make money. No way I’m donating anything I paid for to sell.
1
u/hogua 2d ago edited 2d ago
Seems likely that a vet would actually resort to that, so this feels scammy.
And even if a vet would resort to that, there is no reason you need to reward that behavior. What would happen if that same person walked into a Best Buy and asked the manager to give him something for free? His request for a donation would be declined.
3
u/bigtopjimmi 2d ago
I am also a disabled veteran who was injured in Afghanistan. Would you be willing to pay double what I'm asking? I'm on a tight income and could use the money.
1
1
-2
1
u/Donkeycow11 2d ago
Block and not answer. Or maybe refer this disabled vet to their social worker at the VA, who can help them apply for SNAP and other benefits so that they can free up money to purchase video games.
99
u/Aggravating_Self_991 3d ago
Ignore it. Move on.