[JohnnyB]

I have just seen far too many scams and cons to not be jaded about these things. As a policy, I don't give money to individuals at all anymore. My wife and I put a fair bit of money and time into helping stray animals every month and I am happy to give my time to help people in need, but not money. Donations of money are too easily abused and too easily bring out the worst in people. It is more demanding to give time to help someone, but if they accept it you can also be more confident that they really need and value the help. Also, I focus on giving help to animals and to children, because I know that they are innocent in their situations.