The plethora of "skint at Christmas" threads and a suggestion

[crashdoll]

I'm torn between not wanting to disbelieve a person but also, being rational because this is the internet. We are being targeted by scammers at this time of year. I'm sure there are genuine people too. Although I am at the number of first time "I can't feed my kids" posters and "I've been here years but name changed" posters who rush in to defend them whilst calling the rest of us cynical, bullying twonks. I know HQ say that they don't appear to be scammers but how can they know?! It's easy to change IP address and new posters could join to target us. I realise that TSSDNCOP and I wouldn't expect you to but I'm afraid, I'm cynical about some of these posters.

There are many of us who aren't totally skint but are struggling at this time of year. I wonder if we could please have a pinned thread on the main boards (AIBU and chat). Then, people can be pointed in that direction, instead of the bun fights that follow in these threads. Every time someone says that they'd rather send money, it gives a green light to those who scam.

Perhaps it wouldn't word but it might be an idea. I'm interested to hear any thoughts on this. Thanks. :)

"I also think it would mean that OPs who are in genuine need of some support and advice would feel more confident that they could post a thread without getting accused of being a scammer."

I agree. I'd hate to think that people in genuine need didn't think they could ask for advice lest they be accused. Also, I'm not skint by any stretch of the imagination but money is tight and I've been ill, so I can't see the wood for the trees and can't seem to think that clearly about good ideas to save money over Christmas. I'm already panicking about being invited to my dad for a Christmas evening buffet because that side of the family buy each other presents. That's around 15 extra people to account for.

Hi all,

Thanks for all your feedback. We will continue to take each thread on a case-by-case basis. Please do report to us, though, rather than airing doubts on the board. As crashdoll mentions, we'd really hate for anyone in genuine need to be put off from posting.

It's entirely up to each Mumsnetter to decide how much or how little of themselves (financially or otherwise) to give. That being said, this is the internet and there is no way of knowing that anyone is who they say they are, and we would always recommend keeping this in mind.

And the pinned post? It's a very good idea at this time of year, and would mean a thread could be deleted and the OP directed there - very similar to the redirect to the Samaritans.