Yesterday I got a flyer in the mail sent in an envelope from a cousin I barley know in Arizona. Anyway this is what it says.

Please donate to prove my son innocent inclosed find a deposit slip so that they we may get a lawyer for my son.

They have my phone number here at work and at home. Not to mention both e-mail addresses. I went on the family web site to see exactly what happend that they would need a lawyer and nothing was there. I do not think I need to call them and ask or should I just send money that I do not have??

I also checked the Phoenix Arizona newspaper and it is vauge on what happend but the son got arrested for a double homicide. Just don't know what to do..

Wow, that's a tough one! I'd be leery about sending them $$. If you feel compelled to do something, how about a Walmart gift card (in an amount that's comfortable for your budget)? They can use it for necessities...like groceries and gas.

Thanks Marie,

Your right I am leery to give money out like that cause who knows once you do it how many more times will it happen.

Yesterday I got a flyer in the mail sent in an envelope from a cousin I barley know in Arizona.

I would go by your first sentence, you barely know him, so why would they ask you for money? If he never took the time to get to know you before, he probably won't know you after this mess is over either. It is one thing if you know him pretty good, and have the extra money, but since you don't have either, I am not so sure I would get involved. That really was a strange way to do it too, sending you a deposit slip! What happened to the phone call to ask you personally? Maybe they just don't want to give out much information. I just wouldn't do it under those circumstances.

I'm with Betty. Leave it alone. You hardly know them and its not like they have been in contact. You already said you dont really have the money to give so dont. It may seem hard but I would not touch this one with a ten foot pole.

I don't take things quite as lightly. I'd call the bank on the deposit slip and snoop around some. If they need money from you, too bad - they should have sent Christmas cards years ago, not a deposit slip out of the blue.

For real, would you ask these people for money if you were in trouble?? If not, don't worry about it...If they really needed money they would have called you.

they should have sent Christmas cards years ago, not a deposit slip out of the blue.

LMBO.... funny, but true!

Im thinking here... isnt there someone in the legal system that appoints a public defender for a person that cant afford one????

And how much of a donation are they wanting... 5, 20, 100 bucks here?

Or more?

Id probably trash it and forget about it... you know things get lost in the mail ALL of the time

So many reasons to ignore this clumsy begging:

You don't know them so you don't owe them.

Double homicide? What if he did it? Do you really want to pay for his defense?

And what an obnoxious way to ask. That alone would be enough to cause me to throw the deposit slip in the trash.

To me, this one is a no brainer.

Nancy

I do agree it is a tacky way of asking for money. I Ripped up the flyer as well as the deposit slip and in the Trash they went. I cannot even consider helping someone especially if they are guilty of a crime such as the above. Thank you all

Well, in this country, people are supposed to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Terrible thing, this double homicide.

But it was way tacky sending a flyer to you, no phone call, no personal letter. I say, send positive energy to your family, all of it. But don't send the money you don't have. Call your family, who knows, this terrible tragidy could be the thing that pulls your family closer.

I too say 'tacky tacky" and agree with kimilicious (sp) "if you needed money would you ask these people?"

I say send one back asking to donate to your lap band fund, see if they donate to you. Tell them you will match their donation.

I bet they don't write again.

Princess,

that was an awesome suggestion!

Bubba Me the only thing I would have done would have to find out who the D.A. is for the county where he is accused and send them the flyer and deposit slip. They might can use that info you never know.

Gut instinct told me to say that.

There would be no way I would send them money. Mind you I donate to other things quietly. ie give extra at a spagetti dinner for a kid with leukemia or something. But like everyone said. This was just tacky tacky.