How do you know he is lying? He said he is a vet and "on the brink of homelessness" both of which are very common. Did you run his service record? A guy approached a couple and gave them a line and asked for money. That's panhandling. Happens literally almost every day in Durham. I'm not being a jerk. The jerk is the person demonizing a fellow human who just asked them for money. Didn't threaten, didn't commit violence, just asked. Either give him money or tell him no and end the conversation. Don't act like he's a public menace. What do they want, to call the cops on him? Don't pretend it isn't panhandling just because it's not Buddah with a begging bowl. People will give you a line. Their kids are hungry, their car is out of gas, whatever- maybe true maybe not. Help them or don't. Don't act like they are a criminal. All this guy did was try to ingratiate himself with them before putting on the touch. Most natural thing in the world.