A homeless man in Detroit uses his smartphone to accept credit card donations

Abe Hagensten says he's "the only homeless guy in America who can take a credit card."

Hagensten, who's better known as "Honest Abe," told Detroit radio station WWJ950 that he's been homeless for the past seven years. He uses a smart phone and the Square app to accept donations from people near the overpass he lives under in the city. 

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"Honest Abe" Hagensten may be "only homeless guy taking credit and debit cards" w/a cell phone "cube." More @WWJ950. pic.twitter.com/K0zxb7M8Fp

“I take Visa, MasterCard, and American Express," Hagensten told WWJ950. "It’s all done safely and securely through Square.com.”

In case you're not familiar, the Square app turns your cellphone into a credit card reader, much like one you'd use in a store. The company was co-founded in 2009 by Jack Dorsey, who is also a co-founder and current CEO of Twitter. Square makes money by charging a small fee for each transaction, so Hagensten doesn't get the full value of each donation he receives. 

Still, every bit helps. Hagensten says this winter has been particularly tough for him financially. Usually he shovels snow to earn money, but a since there hasn't been much snow, Hagensten hasn't had much work. 

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