Some forums lend themselves to deception. Not anything like this forum, but I was part of a dog owner forum five years ago when I got my dog. People posted about missing dog missions and people donated to the cause with little fact checking. It was a perfect storm for a total scam.

Another site I was on for women trying to share info on money saving efforts were scammed by a chick who claimed to be pregnant then lost the baby and people sent her cash and gifts and it turned out she was a scammer.

If something awful happened to member here, I would donate to a pool if they were a regular. But I wouldn't ever fall prey to a scammer. Plus, I don't think anyone here would have the poor taste to ask, even if they were in a dire situation....because forum donations wouldn't amount to much, really.

Would you donate to someone you knew on a forum?

Outside of a spiffy reclining chair, no way.

I might.

I accept cash and money orders... I ain't gonna lie, I'm just broke... help me out...

I did once but it was a situation in which the person I donated to had a lot of credibility. I was a member of a crafts message board and one of the members had a daughter with a brain injury and she had a caringbrige site up for her daughter so I knew she wasn't scammer.

cheaps wrote:

I accept cash and money orders... I ain't gonna lie, I'm just broke... help me out...

Reminds of this time when I was in Indianapolis and there was this homeless guy outside with a sign that asked people if they could spare a dollar. Then underneath it, it said "I ain't gonna lie, I'm just going to use the money to buy beer". I thought it was great. I gave him two dollars.

Nystyle709 wrote:

Reminds of this time when I was in Indianapolis and there was this homeless guy outside with a sign that asked people if they could spare a dollar. Then underneath it, it said "I ain't gonna lie, I'm just going to use the money to buy beer". I thought it was great. I gave him two dollars.

OMG! We were in Indy in March and there was a guy outside the stadium holding a sign that said something about needing more beer money to support his homeless habit.

Nystyle709 wrote:

Reminds of this time when I was in Indianapolis and there was this homeless guy outside with a sign that asked people if they could spare a dollar. Then underneath it, it said "I ain't gonna lie, I'm just going to use the money to buy beer". I thought it was great. I gave him two dollars.

If nobody else gave him anything, at least he coulda bought a 40 with wat you gave him

Two 40's for $2? How long ago was that?

Nystyle709 wrote:

Two years ago. If they're $2 here, I figured they'd be cheaper outside of NYC.....

Nope, they are about $2 or more around here also.

I used to drink 40's (I know, GAG!!! ) and they've always been about $2 for one.

I'd consider it....but with all the scams and dishonesty online, theirs is a case that needs to be especially compelling and they'd need to prove their situation in someway.

If I talked to them for a lengthy amount of time outside of the forum and we became friends, and through time I realize them to be an honest person, then sure. Not too much though, I can't send something I can't afford to lose!