| Each year, more and more people are going online for | | | | know, to me, it might be a little bit more embarrassing |
| shopping, but in these hard times, the Internet is also | | | | actually going out on the street, you know, begging for |
| becoming a place where people in need can ask for a | | | | somebody to help me for something." |
| handout. | | | | According to Rex Camposagrado, founder of |
| There are thousands of appeals on craigslist and on | | | | Begslist.org, a free online begging site, "Doing it online is |
| other Web sites devoted to begging, such as | | | | a little bit more private." |
| Begslist.org. | | | | Camposagrado created Begslist in 2007 when his own |
| And the pleas for help are heart-wrenching. A single | | | | business went under and he was out of work. Due to |
| mom with no money to pay her bills; an unemployed | | | | his circumstances, he had swallowed his pride and |
| worker about to lose his house. And, of course, lots of | | | | began begging online. He noticed that some sites |
| families who can't afford toys for their children. | | | | charged him money — which he says didn't make |
| Certainly some of these appeals for help could | | | | sense — since that's what he needed. |
| be scams, but many appear to be legitimate pleas for | | | | "I thought it should be a free experience to beg online. |
| help. | | | | If people on the street are begging, they're not asked |
| Michael Arthur of Frederick, Md., says he debated for | | | | to pay a fee to beg on the street," Camposagrado |
| weeks before placing an ad called "Santa, Are You | | | | says. He also mentions that to some, and during his |
| Out There?" on craigslist: | | | | time in need, $15 which some of the sites charged to |
| I'm a partially disabled single father with two young | | | | beg, was equivalent to $150. |
| sons, seven and eight. They deserve to get a few | | | | And indeed, some sites charge up to $45 a month. |
| nice toys and things for Christmas. They are really | | | | says that's so it can provide better services, including |
| good kids. I don't make enough money to be able to | | | | advice on how to enhance an online appeal by using |
| buy them anything. … If anyone out there could | | | | phrases such as "with your help, we can go on" and |
| possibly help me obtain a few toys for my children | | | | "your generosity can give a new lease on life." |
| please let me know. I hate to beg, but I will for my | | | | However, is it worth $45 to beg online to get such |
| children. | | | | advice? |
| Arthur works at a local veterinarian's office, despite his | | | | Of course, the big question hanging over all this is how |
| back problems. But he's had a hard time making ends | | | | much of it's real. Camposagrado says his site, like |
| meet. So he decided he had nothing to lose and it was | | | | others, warns donors and beggars alike about possible |
| worth a shot. | | | | fraud. There are disclaimers and warnings to inform |
| Arthur says his troubling times and the bad economy | | | | beggars what to watch out for. |
| forced him to swallow his pride. | | | | "If you see a posting that's from overseas, with like a |
| "I mean, it's kind of embarrassing to have to do | | | | U.K. address, and the story that they're telling is in |
| something like this, but I figured maybe there'd be | | | | broken English and it's very hard to understand. A lot |
| somebody out there who'd be willing to help out for | | | | of times, it's made by a scammer," Camposagrado |
| Christmas, you know, just a couple of toys or | | | | says. If a user offers to send you a check or wire |
| something," Arthur says. | | | | transfer and ask for your "Full Name", address, phone |
| But so far, no luck. He says three people responded | | | | number and more detailed information, it most likely is a |
| but only one seemed really interested in helping, and | | | | scam. |
| Arthur didn't hear back after he sent a detailed list with | | | | He also suggests that people use safeguards such as |
| his sons' clothing sizes and what they might want. | | | | PayPal instead of checks or money orders. Craigslist |
| Tarisha Burton of Durham, N.C., posted a craigslist ad | | | | has similar advice and says users should only deal with |
| called "Adopt a Family For Christmas." Burton is an | | | | those they can meet in person in a public place. |
| unemployed, single mother of three. She says she gets | | | | Michelle Santos of Richmond, Va., says it's advice she |
| some public aid, but not enough for to provide for her | | | | has taken to heart. She posted an ad last month |
| children. | | | | asking for toys and clothes, which she plans to give to |
| "I'm not trying to be greedy at all, no way, no how," | | | | the needy. |
| Burton says. "It's just, I would like my kids to have a | | | | "A lot of people do try to scam one another, but |
| decent Christmas this year." | | | | honestly, you run across families that are in true, true |
| But again, no response. She and others say that could | | | | need," she says. |
| be because there are so many people looking for help. | | | | She says she knows this because she visits the |
| Many say they've tried local charities, but they, too, are | | | | families first. |
| overwhelmed with requests. Still, Burton says she'd | | | | Her ad attracted some donations, but she also got 900 |
| never think about going out on the street to beg. | | | | e-mails from people looking for help. She hopes to help |
| "I think it's a little bit more discreet," Burton says. "I don't | | | | about 100. |