Can someone be destitute and still have Internet access?

Question

I started e-mailing with a woman who needs to leave her crack-addicted husband (who takes all the household money and mostly lives on the streets) to escape and get to her hometown in another state. She has young kids. I have no problem giving her just enough gas money to get to her mother's house (the mother just suffered a series of strokes), and this tale of woe does sound real. I just don't want to send her money and it just ends up going toward this woman buying a new stereo.

She didn't ask for money. I read her post and corresponded and made an offer to get her away from the hole she's living in.

I guess there's no way for me to know that the money donated will go toward gas to get her to another state, and she seems to have Internet access. And if she's fearful of the husband, she'd be wary to sell the computer for food. It doesn't seem like she's using a library computer.

Is it possible someone could have Internet and be otherwise quite helpless?

Answer 1

So, did you fall off the turnip truck last night and not wake up till noon? Please don't think I'm 'mean' for abusing you, its just people like you deserve to be abused and abused harshly until you wise up! The answer is, 'YES' but probably not in this case. People in this woman's position, if she's for real at all, didn't just 'fall on hard times' no, h**l no! They make a series of poor decisions and because on an inability to take responsibility for themselves and make the hard right decisions, they keep digging their hole deeper. People like you, who enable people like her to escape the results of their poor decisions are doing them NO favors!

Answer 2

Well i have a good friend who went thru a rough stretch.  Couldnt pay her bills or rent but yep she somehow managed to keep paying for the net and a cell phone!

Answer 3

Usually no. IF they go to the library, maybe. But, if they have internet, they are usually not as bad off as they may seem. It is an extravagance! Heat, & hot water, & a roof over your head is all one really needs. Anything else is fluff & can be gotten rid of, & should be if you are that bad off. Unless you can go there & actually help her, I wouldn't send money. Chances are really good that you are not the only one being suckered.

Answer 4

No they cannot.

Answer 5

it sounds knind of fishy, offer to send her pre paid gas cards and see how she reacts.

Answer 6

If someone has a wifi card in their computer they can get on for free at a lot of places. Parks, restaurants, Hotels, etc. If she has a computer she can find a hot spot and get on. It really doesn't require any money.

It is also possible to use a friends computer and internet access. I have friends do this with mine all the time.

Answer 7

Yes.  Libraries aren't the only places people can get Internet access.  There are plenty of free wi-fi spots that someone can use for Internet access.  Also, you can get dial-up access cheap for a few bucks extra with a phone bill.  If she's paying her phone bill, she can be paying her for her Internet, too.

I do understand your feelings.  You want to help, but with so many scammers these days, you have to be skeptical.

Answer 8

Several years ago my husband abandoned my children and I and a very nice couple sent me $150.00 to help get out of the situation I was in.  I stayed in that house for a few months before I was forced to leave it.  Eventually I got on the road to recovery and my children and I are now safe in a home of our own.  If I had taken their advice right off the bat we would have ended up homeless but YES their money helped us to get out of a bad situation and into a good one.  I thank God for their generosity and I wish I could give them a heartfelt hug today for their having faith in my ability to get out of the situation.  If you give this woman money today, give it to her out of your heart without expectations for her troubles are many and they are elevating every moment of each day that she is stuck in the situation.  People can use the library computer and I have a cheap laptop that works anywhere that there is Internet access.  Abusive situations make people very weak but yes she could have Internet access.  She didn't ask you for money just I didn't ask anyone for money.  I was just looking for comfort and advice.   I don't know what else to say but that you have to decide if this is money you can give freely without being concerned about your money's outcome and instead just remain concerned about her families welfare.

P.S.  I've been trying to locate the letter that these people sent with their check so that I can pay it back to them.  I know that I have it somewhere but we had to move about 5 or 6 times before we could finally stay so somewhere in this mess that I still haven't been able to sort out I kept that letter so that I could send the money back  to them at a later date.  I plan on telling them how much they helped and thank them again.

Answer 9

A lot of people go to the public library to get online who otherwise are poor so it is possible

Answer 10

Sweetheart, you have been swindled!

If a women is in peril, there are normally local places that will give here food, shelter, money, ect.

You can have internet access, local libraries offer it.

I know that you meant well, but honestly, If you were in the same position, would you go online to ask for help, or would you get the h**l out and hope for the best.