My colleague came to me in tears and asked to borrow 3k

[Motheroffive999]

She will lose her home and has 3 weeks to find it.
I didn't know what to say , I don't have that amount of money , I have some savings but not that much , and I may need it.
Today she asked for 1k which of course I still do not have at my disposal, but could get it in a few days.
I am torn , I don't want to be unkind but she has bought things recently , lots of small things , things that I do not have the spare money to buy.
What can I do ?

Why unfortunately? There's no unfortunately - she just has to say No.
I would love if there was someone on MN who thinks like this and is brave enough to come on and explain. Why do you think it's OK to ask relative strangers for a lot of money? Do you ever repay the loans that people give you?

Around £450k 😳

Ah ok…that explains why the police weren’t interested.

Are the police actually interested in any crime, these days!? 🫩

This...

Any extra explaining will give her more opportunity to overcome your objections...

So definitely :

No, I can't

'As I said, I really can't lend you the money..'
You're the only person....

then deflect...
'I'd speak to CAB/step change /..'

Then walk away...

Good money after bad springs to mind. If you can afford to never see your money again, fine. Otherwise, no.

May sound harsh but if she can't convince the bank to ease off, there is undoubtedly some history.

Turn it back on her.
"I'm a bit short myself. I was thinking of asking for a loan."
"Have you read up on the eviction process?" (Refer her to Shelter's website).
"I'll come with you to CAB. You will need to sort all the demand letters and eviction paperwork into some sort of order, because CAB will ask for it. "

In fairness, she did need the money for unpaid fees, but then she conned two of us into coughing up and it was when she got her PPI payment through that she really got it wrong, (a) because she lied and said she didn't have it and (b) when she got it, she chose to renege on the agreement and put her social life ahead of her promise to pay both of us back.

And yes, her inability to budget and prioritise is why she got herself in the sticky situation and I have no sympathy for that. I felt played but I was trying to do what I thought was the right thing and she just showed her true colours. I'd rather be me than her! But I learnt not to loan money unless I could afford to never see it again.

This^

Good luck today OP but stay firm and keep your money where it is now (away from CFs like this one).

Absolutely not. It is completely wrong that she asked. If she continues to harrass you, you should let HR know.

It sounds quite manipulative to me and has the classis signs of a scam: emotional backstory to play on your sympathies, time pressure so you don't have the chance to think about it, and she's been giving you little gifts on the lead-up to make you feel guilty and like you owe her something. A firm 'no' and report to management if it becomes harassing.

Hi OP
Good on you for not being drawn into a "loan" situation with your co-worker. If you did hand over money once, she would inevitably ask again.

Did she say anything about the ££ to you today?