Tabloid Tracks Down Homeless Man Who Borrowed AmEx

There's not much to add to this heartwarming, feel-good story about the homeless man who borrowed a woman's American Express card and returned it 15 minutes later, after making a modest $25 purchase. In a world where people marinate cats and anger Foxy Brown, it's nice to know there are guys like Jay Valentine, the homeless man who asked ad exec Merrie Harris for change and was given her credit card instead. "I wasn't tempted at all," the 32-year-old Brooklyn native tells the Post. "She trusted me, and I didn't want to violate that trust. I would never do that." The tabloid is all set to crown him "Most Honest Homeless Man in the City," but there's just one catch.

Yesterday it was reported that Harris agreed to loan Valentine her Am Ex so he could buy a bottle of VitaminWater. She also approved his request to purchase a pack of cigarettes. But now it's come out that Valentine's shopping spree didn't stop at designer water; he also helped himself to deodorant and body wash. These purchases were not part of the agreement. And instead of buying a no-name brand of smokes, Valentine went with a pack of top-shelf Nat Shermans. Now, there's nothing wrong with appreciating life's finer pleasures, but "Most Honest, Fancy, and Hygenic Homeless Man" is probably a more accurate title. [Via Pat's Papers]

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By John Del Signore in News on August 13, 2010 1:27 PM

Comments [rss]

Thunderchild

How can a man take a woman's credit card - presumably with a woman's name on it - and buy things? In this day and age of heightened concern about identity theft, robbery (especially in New York) and so on, how could a man buy things from a clerk with a woman's credit card, without showing ID, etc.?

This doesn't make sense. (As does a woman who would give a total stranger her credit card, instead of going with him and buying him what he wanted, since she should have known that he'd never be able to buy things with her credit since it had her name on it.

IF this is legit, whatever store clerk sold this guy his items without asking for ID to match name to card, deserves to be fired.

eitan

i cant believe im the only one who thought this was staged

NannyState

Does your card get you beer and urine-soaked pants?

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My card does.

Steve

Well if I had lent someone on the street I didnt know my credit card with an agreement to buy water and cigs, I would never expect thats all he would buy anyway. I would be more than happy if he kept the bill to $25. I mean the man bought body wash and deodorant, I think those items were very necessary! How would you like to be without them?

ladyjane

i love this story. i work in the homeless services, and it's great to finally see someone, anyone saying something positive about the homeless population of this city instead of railing against them.

DrGonzo

Sounds like she has a job where she can afford to spend an extra few dollars on someone else, especially if it only totals $25. Get over it.

valeriob

My favorite part is how the business who swiped the card completely neglected to check for signature, or ID.

YAY!

Nyctini11

Not that surprising really, my card says see ID instead of my signature, i actually get asked for ID about 1 in 50 times i use it, kinda sucks.

TheTruthYouSeek

What a spoiled, annoying little bitch "ask for ID" written on it. Please.

ides_of_march

A man who can be trusted with other people's money - amazing! This man needs to run for congress. Seriously.

Boogie Down

I'm hardly the most PC person around, but the use of the term "bum" seems primitive to me.

JenChungsBaby

Seriously! The Post says what a great guy he is and then calls him a bum?

Potty Boy

chill...it's for effect (and brevity in the headline). And what's wrong with "bum" anyway? I grew up with that term. Bowery Bums! We all used it. Stay in school unless you want to be a bum.

Boogie Down

The only homeless person I ever knew of graduated high school at 16 and had an IQ over 180, so your theory about "staying in school" isn't too valid. He, like most homeless people, ended up that way because of mental illness. But, hey, if mocking the mentally ill makes you feel good about yourself, be my guest. It says more about you than it does them.

CaptainMXC

You are my hero, Boogie Down.

Kojak

"deodorant and body wash"

Hell, if I was her, I'd let it slide. Who are we to deny the homeless a clean shower? More power to him! Next time you sit next to a smelly homeless man, think of this dude.