Am I naive or ..........

paddyrg

I've grown hardened over the years after having my better nature abused in this kind of scam. But accidents happen and people do make mistakes and need the help of strangers once in a while, so in this case I would kindly offer to buy her mobile phone off her for the few quid she needs in fuel (she is welcome to it back when she repays me) or as it doesn't take 2 people to ride to Nan's to collect a key, offer the loan against the bike helmet. You don't see pawn shops lending out cash without collateral, and it is for a reason!

Reverbe

Gemmy wrote: »

Why would you come to Tesco with no money? :S

I'll follow that up with why did you go to tesco to post a letter??

whitewing

Our Tesco collection on a Saturday is half an hour later than the other post boxes.

Reverbe

whitewing wrote: »

Our Tesco collection on a Saturday is half an hour later than the other post boxes.

but as a previous poster said there were 2 of them on a bike who both forgot their keys??? surely the biker would have had keys on a ring with the bike key

Antimony

I think the OP made an 'on the spot' decision - not having the time to weigh up/consider all the reasons why it could be a scam. On a positive note, by posting it (and from others adding similar experiences) she's forewarned those of us who are unfamiliar with this 'scam'.

BKAT_9

mandrose wrote: »

NCISROCKS - I cant see how this could jeopadise my job!! Can you explain what you mean please?

To be honest, I'm not worried at all about my fiver and I've decided not to pursue it in any way, as I just want to think that if either of my kids were in trouble someone would help without question! I like the thought that Sagz said - Karma will sort it out if it wasn't true!

I think if you give the lady the ability to give the money back that is all you can do, if she does then you will get a nice fuzzy feeling and your faith in humanity will remain unaltered! :T

If not then you can feel sad for her that she is going through life needing to con people, you have remained morally unaltered, she has let herself down....and I agree Karma will bit her on the butt.

Actually I had a similar experience, I was on holiday and my bf lent some guy we had met at the hostel quite a bit of cash for a night out, this bloke was leaving the next day for onward travels. I was annoyed but it wasnt my money so I internally shouted 'FOOL' at him :mad:, as did everyone else we met at the hostel - they though he was a dodgy charachter anyway!

Anyway next day came and went, and the money didnt appear, I internally said 'TOLD YOU SO', however as we walked through reception the guy on the desk said that an envelope had been left, the money was returned plus £20 plus a lovely note!! :T

I was happy to be proved wrong!

paddyrg

Antimony wrote: »

I think the OP made an 'on the spot' decision

Absolutely. That's what the fishy story scams rely on - sob story with an element of forcing a decision right there on the spot. The only counter is to trust your gut when something just doesn't add up (as in this case - maybe they could have spun ever fancier stories to cover the gaps in their original one, but your gut knows)

bosseyed

I've had this sort of thing numerous times - every time I say no, regardless of the complexity or misery of the sob story involved. If you give them money you're being a massive sucker and rewarding them for apparently being able to tell lies. If they came up to you and said "Hi there, can I have some of your money please? I've got no right to it, I can't be arsed to earn my own but you look like a bit of a pushover, so I thought I'd just have some of yours for no reason other than I want it" would you oblige? You certainly bloody wouldn't but apparently their ability to spin you some fanciful yarn is good enough?

Bottom line is they're trying to fleece you for your hard earned and I don't take kindly to that. Not handing out my money like a chump doesn't make me a 'bad person', it makes me a sensible one who weighs up the situation and acts accordingly. And if you're aware its a scam but still give them the money anyway 'just in case its genuine', then you're an idiot who just perpetuates this situation for other people.

malkyh

Reverbe wrote: »

but as a previous poster said there were 2 of them on a bike who both forgot their keys??? surely the biker would have had keys on a ring with the bike key

It is pretty much going to be a scam.

However, regarding the post I quoted, I do not have my house keys on the same keyring as my car keys.

Soapy955

I haven't read the whole thread so may be repeating this, but would it really take TWO people to go out on a motorbike to post a letter? Surely one of them could've popped out and walked to the nearest pillarbox, especially if they didn't have much petrol! Then they wouldn't've needed the doorkey anyway, the other one would be in to open the door! Sounds dodgy to me!