Yeah, I know people who won't give them money, but will give them other stuff they have on them. I've been told by two city people that the real homeless light up with gratitude and the scam artists cuss you out. Which, of course, propagates outward to make it harder for the ones in real need. I've only given money once, and passed on quickly to lose myself in the crowd--I wasn't sure if I'd been scammed--but I did it.