Old Gray,
Unfortunately, you're right. 1) Don't help strangers. I wanted so badly the other day in Walmart to pay for this lady's groceries... but my gut told me she has something else going on (like addiction) and you're wasting your money. So I didn't. It's still kicking around inside of me if that was what was really going on, and should I have paid anyway, etc... she had a little girl with her and I heard her tell the cashier she had a little boy in kindergarten.
Anyway, yes. Times are changing, it's more of a time than ever to be aware and not to think that something like this can't happen to you! What's that saying, prepare for the worst but hope for the best?
Moosie