MONEY MORAL DILEMMA: Should Ken ‘save’ Deidre’s kids from being taken into care?

irishwench69

TBH, I'd give her this website address and / or the details for the CAB - a tenner isn't going to help - even if this was genuine (which lets face it, is VERY unlikely.......!)

IW x

Shain

Yeah, she might be a scammer, but if you can afford it, you just might be helping out someone genuinely in need.

Years ago I was in the checkout queue and had added up my shopping incorrectly as I went round - I ran out of money and even after rummaging through my bag for any spare pennies I was having to start putting things back. These were not luxury items and I was virtually in tears trying to decide whether to leave the pasta or the bread. The man behind me in the queue gave me 20p. The only other thing I'd say is if you are going to give the money, please give it with good grace. He handed it over with anger and exasperation and made me feel 2 feet tall. Ever since, when I've given money to someone, whether in exchange for goods or as charity, I've handed it over with a smile and genuine politeness, no matter how @&$% my day...

sterose

Dear me!

Bear in mind the following facts:-

1) The electricity will be turned off if you do not pay the bill/top up the meter.

2) The ATM will not pay out if your bank account is empty.

3) Social services are there to protect children from being brought up in an irresponsible, neglectful, or abusive manner.

4) Social services will not take children away merely because the electricity is off for a short period of time.

On these facts I would not give Deidre the money. The premise on which she seeks the cash is clearly erroneous, and giving would furthermore encourage her irresponsible budgeting.

Suelynn

If I could afford it, I'd put the money on her key to make sure it doesn't get wasted on anything else. If I'm a bit short of cash, then I'd only give her a couple of quid towards it. One day I could be in that situation, then I'd be very grateful for small mercies. :A

Pinchez_2

This is a well known scam.. People who generaly do this are junkies who need a fix and will do or say anything in order to get it. I find it touching that so many people want to beleive that this is true and would offer to help but the reality is you will be funding someones drug habit and also you will probally make them think that this sort of scam works so they keep doing it. This is just another version of the travel scam but just with a better story dont fall for it.

Vine_2

I agree with Kit if she was a friend I would help. I like to think that if a situation was that dire my friends would help me out. Perhaps I am naive? I certainly wouldn't have the audacity to hang around a cash point! I beleive that we pay enough into the state to help people in stretched financial services which stretches us even more financially - why should we be "guilt tripped" for withdrawing out "hard earned" cash - sorry if I sound heartless but there have been too many people taken for fools.

mallo

I'd probably put some money on her card, but it's not as easy as saying 'I'd give her the £10 just in case it's genuine.

Unfortunately, in most cases, doing that will either be
a) fuelling the drug trade - is that a good thing?
b) encouraging more opportunists to do the same - is that a good thing?

So, before you make yourself feel better on the off chance you're helping someone by blindly giving them money, take a minute to think of the downside if you might be wrong.

trejoy

No I would n`t give her money. I used to foster kids and the social don`t take them into care unless there's a very good reason.(are the kids home alone while she`s out ?)She should call the social and ask for help. They would sort her bills and make sure that she is claiming the benefits that she is entitled to. For those who would give her money - how do you feel if it`1s for a fix? that won`t help her. If I thought she was genuine I would take her for a coffee and offer to mediate with social for her. Money is easy to give, time, however, is far more valuable.

westferret

Probably not for social services to be involved something serious has to have happened and unfortunately £10 won't go that far to help her. What will happen is she will keep asking instead of getting a job and helping herself out of the problem.

Martins_Fan_2

I would have to help - after all £10 is nothing for a clear conscience. At least I wouldn't have to worry that she had been telling the truth. I would rather be a fool and their money than take the risk that children are vulnerable.