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How can you tell if someone is genuinely homeless?

Members of the public are urged to look for any hints they may not be homeless - and appearance is a key one. Many are told to look at the state of the shoes, while it's also key to look out for other tell-tale signs, like bags, piercings, pets and more.

nottinghampost.com - How do you tell a genuine homeless person from a 'professional' beggar?

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Psst... share your email to join the Secret Elves Club and get first access to exclusive reviews of this year's must-have products. Professional beggars who aren't homeless could be targeting shoppers, a new report has revealed. A report from an East Midlands council, reported by the Grimsby Telegraph, warned of a rise in people attempting to obtain cash across the country - despite having access to accommodation. The report adds how, in most cases, the money they receive from well-meaning passers-by will be used to fund a drug - or possibly alcohol - addiction. A 'professional beggar' is defined by North East Lincolnshire Council as someone who is not homeless, has access to accommodation one way or another and who see begging for cash as a "lucrative way of making money".

So, how do you the tell the difference between a professional beggar and somebody who genuinely needs the help?

There is no rule of thumb, but there are a few pointers you can follow, courtesy of the Coventry Telegraph.

Their attitude

stopthepanhandling.com reckons: "One thing that helps to see if a person is truly in need is their attitude. "While many people are leery of giving money, offer to buy them a sandwich or something to drink or even a days work for pay. "Anyone that is truly down on their luck will gladly take any food that is offered to them, even if they just ate."

Their attire

But be warned: this doesn’t mean that people haven’t donated to them.

Crucially, people in need will have their worldly possessions laid out.

People who aren't in need won't have these bags, and may make use of pets such as dogs or puppies in order to tug at your heartstrings.

The surroundings

stopthepanhandling.com says: "If the person is running a scam, they could be part of a larger group in operation. "They may have a mobile phone on them, or they may have a car parked close by for a quick getaway.

"Look for any abandoned cars or a bike close to them."

So what can you do?

When all is said and done, it may be wise to trust your gut instinct. It is often hard to spot those who are fake from those who are telling the truth, but it’s still better to give to those in need than to err on the side of caution and cause someone to be without.

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Do I need to crack a window to sleep in my car?

Contrary to some beliefs, a car isn't airtight. So you can sleep in your car with the windows up without any issues to your health. The main issue you may have with sleeping in your car with the windows up deals with your comfort level.

getjerry.com - Can you sleep in your car with the windows up? - Jerry

Contrary to some beliefs, a car isn’t airtight. So you can sleep in your car with the windows up without any issues to your health. The main issue you may have with sleeping in your car with the windows up deals with your comfort level. With the windows up, you aren’t going to get much ventilation. This can create a stuffy environment that’s not exactly conducive to a good night’s rest. Furthermore, sleeping with the windows up can cause excess moisture from your breath. This will cause your body to feel colder, which isn’t ideal in the winter. As a result, you may want to crack the window a half-inch or an inch to aid in circulation and actually stay warmer. Just make sure to pack enough blankets, a sleeping bag, and warm pajamas to keep you warm during a cold winter’s night. You may also want to add roadside assistance or towing and labor coverage to your car insurance policy so you stay safe and don’t get stranded somewhere. If your current insurer doesn’t provide this service, do some research, find some insurers, and compare rates between these companies with the Jerry app. Jerry is a licensed insurance broker that will collect quotes from over 50 top-rated insurers in minutes. After you find a great rate, Jerry can help you buy new insurance and cancel your old policy. Users save an average of $887 per year.

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