I gave money to a lady begging door to door.

[Brooksey5]

Our door bell went, I opened it (keeping my social distance) and it was a pregnant lady. She said that all the churches etc that would normally help were closed and she’s been walking round all day trying to get help. She can’t walk anymore and she needed money to get a train to her moms.

I let her charge her phone on an extension cable and gave her the rest of the money for her train fair.

Was I unreasonable to give her the money? Am I an absolute mug who will now get inundated by people begging because I’ve helped one person? I helped her because I figured that even if her story wasn’t true she’s obviously someone in need and the services that normally help people must be harder to access right now.

She wasn't pregnant either...

Yes she’s been doing the rounds here too I’m afraid . But don’t beat yourself up for being kind hearted.

I gave to a young guy that came round saying he wanted money to help him learn to drive and find a job. I knew it was a scam but I was taken aback and just wanted him off the doorstep

Thing is, it’s because people say things like “doesn’t matter if she was a scammer, you were just doing a kind thing,” that these scammers continue to get away with it.

The woman is a crook. Either going door to door in the hopes of making money or alternatively casing the place so her cronies can come back later.

I once had one knocking on the door claiming to need something, and I wondered if they might have a mate nipping round the back to get in. But I was looking after a friend’s German shepherd plus my own dog so if they did go round there, I doubt they would have stayed.

@MouthBreathingRage crappy area, 15+ year old car. Didn’t give out any personal info, all valuables still in the house. No valuables on display from the door.

Though I am crappy myself a bit now 😬

@Escapeistheonlyoption
That was a very kind thing to do

I wonder if you are from same area as me as this is a well known scam

I think sadly it was a scam.

Where I live we occasionally have similar, one chap has been asking for ‘emergency bus fare’ for over ten years . The first time he approached me I offered to walk with him to the bus stop and pay the fare, he mumbled something and wandered off. He’s still around.

Of course you were a mug. Of course it was a stupid thing to do. I doubt she was pregnant. What do you want from this thread? Lots of people saying how lovely and kind and selfless you are?

I’ve just never know people actually come to the door before. Maybe it’s because I’m not normally around in the day.

Yes you're a mug.

Not quite sure why you needed to start a thread to be told that though?

@ScarlettBlaize I didn’t know this was a well known scam or the other door to door scams for that matter. Now I do so the thread was worth posting

This is an old scam. Just think about it for a second, how abnormal is it for someone to knock and expect money? Even in a pandemic.

If she’s a drug addict she will be back as she will have pegged you. Don’t open the door.

You forgot to film it and share on Facebook as well.

Yep. Maybe follow it up with a FB post for maximum virtue signalling potential.

Yep, mug I'm afraid.

We get beggers here that go door to door occasionally.

The last one was a couple of weeks ago. She knocked on my neighbour's door to say her phone battery was flat and could she borrow hers to make an urgent phone call.

She then of course ran off with her phone.

@AlternativePerspective I wasn’t saying it doesn’t matter because it’s a kind thing, I meant OP shouldn’t berate herself. It’s easy to misjudge a situation especially when there’s a chance it could be true.

We have them round here too, both for to door and in the street.

Big issue is going to be sold in Sainsburys

Wow, I personally think that was a very stupid thing to do. I certainly wouldn’t have done it. You are very lucky to have come out of this unharmed.

Big issue is going to be sold in Sainsburys

That doesn't immediately help the sellers though.

@Escapeistheonlyoption that was kind. Are you in Essex? Near the sea?

I think it’s a great thing to do. Just a word of warning though. I did something very similar a couple of years ago with a lady who came to the door and I was burgled soon after. It might have been a coincidence, but please be careful

If you are in a big city this is a well known scam where the begger comes once to scope the house, then a second time with a gang to break into the house. Don’t open the door if she returns

👍🏻 Won’t be opening the door again unless it’s planned. Unfortunately we can’t see who’s at the door until it’s opened.

I don’t know why some people are being so nasty. It’s completely unnecessary

@Escapeistheonlyoption that was kind. Are you in Essex? Near the sea?

No, in the North.
Sorry I realise it sounds like virtue signalling- I didnt mean too- I was just trying to say to the OP that we are probably all doing things we wouldn't usually do.