Can You Trust a Homeless Person?

by Salvation Army
Categories: Blog
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What would happen if, instead of spare change, you handed a person in need a credit card to shop for whatever they needed?

In New York City an advertising executive handed over her American Express Platinum Card to a homeless man after he asked her for change. The man, who was without a home after losing his job, used the card to buy $25 worth of deodorant, water and cigarettes. Then, he returned the card.

In Toronto, an undercover journalist wandered the downtown core with five prepaid Visa and MasterCard gifts in $50 and $75 denominations. He waited for people to ask him for money. He asked that they’d give the gift cards back when they finished shopping.

How the cards were used:

Card 1: $50 was handed to Jason. He spent $8.69 at McDonald’s and returned the card.
Card 2: $50 was handed to Mark. He spent $21.64 at a restaurant, didn’t return the card and later spent $15.50 at the LCBO.
Card 3: $75 was given to Joanne. Her card was stolen and over two days $24.95 was spent at McDonald’s and $38.75 at the LCBO.
Card 4: $50 was given to Al. He didn’t return the card and the balance remained at $50.
Card 5: $75 was given to Laurie. She bought $74.61 worth of food, phone minutes and cigarettes at a gas station convenience store, and returned the card.

Would you consider lending your credit card to someone in need?