A strange thing happened today. At around 7pm a Neighbour whom I have seen distantly and have waved hello to now and then. Walked up to my house today and she said I have a problem I have 4 children and I want to borrow chf 500 from you to spend on my children. My girls are Ur girls ages and they sometimes play together. If u want some kind if guarantee I can give u. Ill pay on 5th January.
I was quite surprised and I said I don't have any money as my husband is traveling. I didn't know what else to say I was surprised. I was very concerned as well.
Has something like this happened to anyone and should I be cautious about this or shud I just take it as one of incidents.
Suggestions appreciated!

Perhaps she needed to treat the kids for Christmas, I wouldn't know. But if she happens to be a low wage earner, there is something called Vorschuss that she can get from Sozialamt ( advance payments for special reasons ).

I had something similiar with a neighbour ( Swiss of Middle East origin ), but it turned out unfortunately for the worse and gave up trying to recover a small 3 figure amount after 2 months.

The thing is at times the "weaker" ones ( non-Swiss typically ) get picked upon as is bumming cigarettes and so on. My neighbour subsequently tried to get me to share my wireless internet ( she was completely Betreibunged ) but I politely and firmly declined.

Nobody ( in theory ) suffers in CH - there are effective mechansims to ensure that.

You could ask if it is because she needs to buy food, clothes, toys, etc.

Instead to give her money, You could offer to give her goods?

The body language wasn't right she said my husband doesn't have money too. Plus I would understand if I knew her well. But since I have a language barrier I don't know Swiss German as yet our conversation had never moved beyond a distant wave or hello. May be I look gullible or something.

I asked her as my daughter was translating she said no she just needs money 500chf. I asked is her children were ok she said they are all fine.

Thank them kindly for their visit and wish them a nice evening, along with the season's greetings of course. Then politely close the door. Nil has a good alternative, but still use caution.

General warning: Last thing you want to do is offer ANY information what-so-ever! Traveling, no money in the house, nobody home... etc. Any information can be used to break in and vandalize or - especially the elder - break in and overpower to get the details of hidden money, jewelery, etc. Whether at the door or on the phone - put out the word - do not offer any information. Thieves are out in full force this time of year, please be careful!
JC

She should seek political asylum, then she'll have loads of money given to her by the state.

I had variations of this in the States. It's a simple scam, with the woman tugging on your heart strings to make you fall for it. Don't.

I think so too but what makes it weird is that it is apparently a neighbor!?
I would just say tread carefully

Shame you have a language/communication problem. She may well be totally honest and reliable and knows she will be able to pay back on time.
I have trusted people before and never been let down so far.

That's what concerns me also as my daughter 8 is not allowed to open the door but she reaches the door quickly and opens it. I sat down with her again today and explained NOT to open door at all till I reach it and never open when I am in the shower or busy. But it scared me and cautioned me.

Don't give anything!

Common sense should prevail. What would you do if you we're in a similar situation? You would first approach your family or friends or a bank, but not a strange neighbour.

I would rather not help a genuine person with the risk of helping the scam artists. I've been scammed before (5 USD equivalent) and have learnt my lesson.

If anyone begged in the streets of UK, I would call the police because if they are genuine then the police would put them in touch with the relevant authorities to help them and if they are scammers then they would get caught out.

These small scams are negligible but has a serious consequences on the moral fibres of a person and can change a society. Therefore, should be punished harshly as a deterrent.

Not everybody has friends or family, or banking credit facilities, for all sorts of reasons- she could be a scammer, or a very brave mum.

Is there any other neighbour you know well who is not the gossiping type, you could discreetly ask for more info on this woman? That's what I would do, as discreetly as possible - and then decide.

Ok, let's assume you want to help this woman.

If it's a lot to lose then don't lend it. It's that simple. If on the other hand 500 is nothing in the scale of things, and you feel like doing good then go with your judgement.

However, never ever lend anything that you can't afford to lose.

having been burned a few times, i now have a simple rule: never lend. if you want to help, give without expectation of getting it back.

Same here. If you want to give away 500chf, there are lots of wonderful needy people and/or charities out there, and from what I hear, donations are significantly down this year (which is often the case in times of financial uncertainty, people are less confident to give their money away).

Neighbor or not, friendly or not, needy or not, Christmas or not...

Even if it does not put a dent in the monthly budget...

There are gypsy bands out there, once you give then they will continually return, one way or another to plead on your generous heart. Or, if you are rude or violent... they will return when nobody is looking and mark your mailbox, doorstep or wall near your entrance... it is a scheme to show others what to expect when they knock on your door. Believe it or not, these similar markings can be found throughout Switzerland too Even if you follow Nil's suggestion and go shopping with them... and they are gypsys, then that too is a generous move and you will be so marked.

There are many sites with descriptions to each diagram, here is one that Google found for me: http://pcsitaly.wordpress.com/2011/0...targetinghome/

CYA, I am not saying she is a bad person, gypsy or anything of the sort.
JC

I didn't realise it was now socially acceptable to bash the Roma community.

My intentions were not to bash any community or background. Believe me, I am not like that. Some very good friends of mine are proud Gypsy and we have a great relationship.

However, I have erased markings myself from my own mailbox after searching the meaning of the marking. And, being a thread about a basically unknown person asking for a handout - my goal is only to warn of what could happen IF...
JC

She is a neighbour, not a 'cold' caller. Again, a bit of discreet detective work with the right people, could indicate what her situation is, whether she's done that before, etc.