No change? No problem, homeless Detroit man claims he accepts credit cards

A tech-savvy Detroit panhandler is done hearing excuses of people not having change to spare. He’s gone digital and now accepts plastic.

Abe Hagenston, also known as Honest Abe, says he has been homeless for about 10 years and has turned his situation into a business.

“Being homeless is my business now,” Hagenston told Detroit Local 4 News. “My business is being homeless.”

Using a card reader and a smartphone, Hagenston is able to accept credit card donations instead of loose change or a $5 bill.

“I take VISA, MasterCard, American Express,” Abe told CBS Detroit. “I’m the only homeless guy in America who can take a credit card. It’s all done safely and securely through square.com.”

Not only does Hagenston reportedly accept plastic, he has a website where he offers to work “spot-jobs.” He uses the site as a hub for potential employers to connect with other homeless in Detroit to handle jobs Hagenston is unable to perform.

“Free to all, if you have a job that needs done and you can pay cash, list the work detail, the amount you are willing to pay and the date/time/contact info and if I can’t do it myself I will send a fellow spaning.com participant,” Hagenston states on his website.

On his website, Hagenston said he’s done painting, computer work and yard work.

“I do hear of a lot of little jobs that I do not know how to do or cannot do because of physical limitations,” Hagenston he said. “I do know quite a few other homeless people who have told me they will register with me for work.”

Hagenston also states on his website that he wants to develop an app that will expose fake homeless people.