randombacon2

Find a secured credit card. I was able to get one from USAA with a $5,000 limit (you just deposit $5,000 in a CD to cover it). Not many people realize this, but you do not have to be in the military to bank with USAA (you do if you want their insurance products, but not for banking).

It would still be easier for them to charge you with lying to a police officer than investigating the stolen goods, and they'll still have a "win in their books."

I think it's mostly cultural. I don't know of any other culture where the idea of shunning success is so widespread. People are made fun of for "acting white", studying, or shunned for "not being black".