FAKERS AT HUBPAGES
61
FAKING IT!
There has been a topic in the Family Forum for the last few days that has turned out to be a set-up, a fake story right from the start.
It was started by someone who gave some advanced thought and planning to what they were going to do before they even started the fraudulent thread.
It can be found at the address below.
Please, go there and read as much as you can stand and then come back here to read what I have to say about it.
http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/4420
It may not have succeeded in what it set out to do in my case. What it did do for me was make me angry. Angry that someone went to the lengths they did to play a joke by ASKING FOR HELP. What's their follow-up going to be, yelling "FIRE" in a crowded theater just to see all the people run?
"I NEED HELP."
It was supposedly written by a young lady--was this a lie too?--who asked for help from the people here at HubPages with a major problem in her life.
Many, many hubbers responded with kind words, advice and encouragement to the author of this thread. They responded because they were concerned for a fellow human being who was hurting and asked for help.
Someone who we thought was in need of a helping hand. Someone who we thought was in pain and confused. Someone who we thought needed advice on which direction to take her life in.
This all turned out to be what this person thinks is an enormous joke! An exercise in perfecting their English!
IS THIS WHAT THE WORLD IS COMING TO?
It's sad when some people think it's OK to pretend they have some problem, get sympathy and help from concerned people and then laugh and run away saying it was all a joke. No harm, no foul.
Don't they realize that all this does is make the people who extended that help less likely to do it the next time?
"FOOL ME ONCE, SHAME ON YOU. FOOL ME TWICE, SHAME ON ME!"
Today less people give their pocket change to the unfortunate on the street because of the news stories of the "bum" who gets up, goes around the corner to his fancy car and drives to his nice house at the end of his "work day". Turns out he's making a very good living asking for help (i.e.-money) from strangers.
"ONCE BURNED--TWICE SHY!"
I don't want to become hardened to the plight of the less fortunate in this country or any other country. But when there is a mentality out there that does something like this and sees no wrong has been done, it's just going to hurt others further down the road.
This kind of deception plants a seed of doubt in a person's mind that can suddenly start to grow and then blooms into mistrust in seconds the next time a scenario even vaguely like this one presents itself.
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KARMA'S A B_ _ _ H!
Well, little faker, who ever you are, I hope you enjoyed yourself and had quite a few chuckles over all those poor suckers who fell for your scheme--hook, line and sinker!
Just remember this, "What goes around, comes around!" God forbid that you should ever really need help with a problem sometime in your life because what if that person you reach out to just thinks how funny it would be to pretend to only help you. Pretend to give you help and then walk away laughing at what a schmuck you are!
Walk away thinking, "What a great joke!"
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DO YOU SEE THE HUMOR IN THIS OR AM I JUST GETTING OLD?
I guess many of us feel exactly the same way about this kind of situation, angry. It has happened here before (someone claiming that her sister had died...) and I´m afraid it will happened again :( . We must do what we think it´s right even if it means to fall on this traps once in a while :/
As you have said, karma will make us all some justice eventually and real people will still getting good help when needed.
Patty--I agree that this person is just a sad individual. Don't know what the whole purpose of this was but it should never have happened.
No, I know I won't stop helping people (I'm a real softy) but it takes just so many "slap downs" and a person does get more cautious.
Ruthie
funride--it just makes you wonder about people, doesn't it? I do believe in karma and who ever this is will "get their's" eventually.
Thanks for stopping by!
Ruthie, I'm glad you wrote this hub. Once I figured out what was going on in that thread, I couldn't bear to go back for a follow-up read, because that would be giving that person just the attention he / she / it wanted.
It was a deliberate betrayal. And it was evil. I have no sympathy for this person whatsoever.
excellent HUB, great pics; sad story. I had a business friend - saw a man on the corner with a sign "need work" ------- this man offered him a job on his ranch; a meal; a shower. The job would in the beginning consist of cleaning the barn, and if he did a good job, he could do some fencing and other minor repairs. He could sleep in a clean room above the barn.
The man with the sign indignantly turned it down saying "I don't clean anyone's ....... out of a barn."
My friend said "I will not feed you, but I will help you get on your feet to feed yourself."
The man said he made more money than that on the corner. So that's where some people are...scamming the good hearted for thrills. I hate it. But - Kudos to the believers who offered their time and help. =)
Sally--I just had to say something about that thread! It made me so angry that someone would treat all that help as a joke! Grrrrrrrrr!
Thanks for stopping by--drop in again soon!
Marisue--Your story sounds exactly like what's happening all over this country unfortunately. People want stuff because they have nothing or not enough and then put conditions on how they'll accept it. Partly explains why so many are on welfare instead of taking the cleaning jobs, manual labor jobs or part-time jobs that are available and why those jobs are being filled by illegales.
I also agree with you about all the help that was offered by the ones who believed--good bunch of people here!
Hi Ruthie, I read that thread early on and did not jump in with advice. Not because I thought it was fake though. So sad. So sad. I was always criticized as being too naive as a youngster, believing everything. I hate to be cynical as I get older. Yeah to all the nice, wonderful Hubbers here! Shame on the people that use them.
I followed that thread with a little suspicion. I'm glad the truth finally came out. Thanks for bringing it to everyone elses' attention with this hub.
Steph--I know that some people will do things for attention that aren't right and I think that this is what's happened with this person. They just wanted the attention--just wanted to be noticed. I'm sorry for them. You're so right--a great bunch of people here at HubPages!!
rmr-- I just couldn't let this person get away with what they did without exposing them to the light--I really felt it had to be brought to everyone's attention. Hopefully, it won't happen again. Thanks for stopping by.
I have read the forum and dang, It was just a novel!!!! Well, it's not good playing with people. And oh! They enjoy it!
I completely understand your anger Ruthie for feeling used and abused. But we can't allow our good hearts to become filled with anger. This only hurts ourselves and others because it closes us off to helping someone who is truly in need.
We must give of ourselves without expectation. If our gift is thrown back in our face then we walk away and move on knowing we did our best to help.
People who lie, who are malicious, uncaring or unkind are creating karma that they will have to deal with eventually. They are also very lonely people who fear the world more than others. They won't admit that to anyone, sometimes not even themselves, but that is the truth.
They are so afraid that they lash out in all manner of ways towards others.
Playing a hurtful joke to feel superior is just one way. Maybe there was truth to the story and the person was trying to save face or maybe the entire thing was fabricated, but it's still an overt gesture of loneliness and fear.
That's what we have to remember when things of this nature happen because otherwise the anger and feelings of betrayal eat you up and prevent you from doing all the good you are capable of. There are people in this world with real problems who sometimes only reach out once for help. If help is not given they shut down and sometimes do tragic things to themselves and to others.
So I will always continue to give help if asked. If it turns out the jokes on me then so be it. :)
beachbum_gabby--I agree, it's not good playing with peoples feelings and emotions like this person it. Got to be one sad individual!
Thanks for stopping by!
RFox--You're so very right! There's no use holding onto a grudge and blaming everyone else in the world that needs help. I'm a softy for a sad story, believe me, but I've been "burned" before by these types of people who will lie to your face to get a thrill or whatever it is they want.
After a while it does make you more cautious, though. It just takes a few to ruin it for the ones who really need it.
Thanks for stopping by!
It's hard to have wisdom and knowlege when giving. When teaching, we were really pressured to give to United Way. But, it bothers me that so much of what we give to organizations goes to the management of it. I give very carefully, I think we need to be responsible with the gift - my heart is easily persuaded to people in need; but we need to keep our wisdom active. There is truth to the fact that you feed the hungry when you're able, how they take it is their destiny; but, still - we need to be wise.
It's just so hard to know; many people give out of such caring, thankfully. Can't always check things out.
marisue--you are indeed a special lady. I get at least two calls a week from a charity or organization asking for a donation. As much as I hate to do it, I have to tell them I'm sorry, I already have a special charity I give to and please remove me from their calling list. Again, just because they say they're from the police, fire department or American veterans you can't really know anymore.
I've done some looking into and compared several charities cost of operation and found that St Jude uses the most of every dollar given to helping the kids through medical treatment and research. Can't say the same for lots of the others.
Like you said, check things out when you can and make your own decisions.
I donate to St Judes too. It seems to be the only one nowadays that the charity actually gets most of the money. It is not everyone who posts stupid stories on forums and you just have to let it go.
And don't let it stop you from doing as you are meant to, being nice to others albeit cautiously. At least you all cared enough to try to help. That is the main thing.
Donna
Donna--I know everyone out there isn't a liar or a cheat. Stupid---that's something else again! I just think that human nature being what it is, the more times your hand gets bitten when you're trying to feed someone (analogy!), the times that you hold your hand out to others will become fewer and fewer.
St. Judes is great for using the money given to them like it was intended instead of paying huge salaries at the top. The research they are doing on cancer will help not only all the kids but the rest of the population in treatment of all types of cancer. God willing, maybe they'll be the ones to find a cure, especially for the little ones.
I'm not sure but I think whoever this was that wrote that first fake Hub is back on the forum again with an almost identical story. I hope I'm wrong!
Thanks for stopping by and come again!Â
I'm speechless! What a crock this person wrote, and what a cruel idea to play on the sympathies of people who truly care about others! I can't think of anything else to say except that faker is a shameless creep!
Oh, by the way, I was referring to the writer who said she was from the Ukraine and wrote the fake story. Sorry if there was any confusion in my above reply. I was just taken aback at such chutzpah on her part!
Chef--I soooo agree with you! I knew what you meant but thanks for the clarification. Yeah, some people do some nervy stuff and don't see any harm in it and in all probablity will repeat it again at some future date. All I can say is it will come back to bite them someday, somehow, somewhere.
Thanks for stopping by!
Ruthie17,
I hadn't read that forum prior to your pointing it out. I just skimmed it and sat here shaking my head. I'm one of those people that is suspicious of everyone and everything. For example, I only support charities I've checked out for myself, like the animal shelter I personally volunteer at and sit on the board of directors for, so I know, first hand, what exactly they do and how exactly every penny they collect is used.
This forum post to me is just as harmful and sick as someone scamming for money. Taking people's trust, time, and care is just as horrible, if not more so. Thanks for the great hub on this.
Karma is a bitch.
Veronica--I'm afraid that in this day and age one almost has to be suspicious to a degree. Why people do the things they do is just beyond me sometimes!
I only give to St Judes anymore. A sad thing--a total of 4 generations of females in my family involved in the Girl Scouts but after researching how they use their money I no longer give to their cause except for cookie sales. Why do the "higher ups" think they need so much money in return for their time?
Thanks for coming by and please visit often!
Ruthie17, you're right. The two biggest and most notorious culprits of that are The American Cancer Society and The March of Dimes. I just can't donate money when I know such a tiny percentage actually goes to the cause, which is often mis-used, and Board of Directors like you said, feel they are entitled to make millions in salary.
St Judes is an awesome organization.
Many scammers do get their consequences served to them hard and cold.
One such person opportunist has duped people into help just so they could waste the money in front of the givers and laugh! -- and break and throw away expensive gifts before their eyes, etc. Tried to scam a company out of millions in a work-related action and failed. Tried to scam to get a spouse in order to pay the bills and failed - - 70 years old and still has to work 2 jobs to pay the bills - Sick all the time for almost 5 years with what now appears to be advanced cancer.
Meanwhile an 80-year-old friend who took care of two dying spouses in 20 years and has done nothing but help others out of his business profits, fell and broke a hip, is in a retirement home and doing very well with lots of friends, and everyone is running and rushing to help him and make him comfortable. His stay at an extended care facility is already paid off, for as long as he lives, through his small insurance uinvestment, His last years will be peaceful and he is at peace with his God and with life. That's a perferable way to go.
Thanks for writing your angry Hub.
Patty
Veronica, I TOTALLY agree!! Why the top management personel thinks "charity" work deserves such big bucks is beyond me!
Thanks so much for stopping by!!
PS--love your eye!!
Patty--the world of karma works just as you described. It always has and always will. Thank you for stopping by!
Patty - wow.... thanks for sharing those two stories. Karma works. And sometimes we can actually see it.
Ruthie, thanks! My eye was designed by wwww.savatoons.com that artist is incredible and can design a custom logo or signature artwork, like my eye, for anyone. I love my eye, it's the only image of "me" I use with my writing.
Like I said--To Cool!!
She/he/it/they was not the first faker. We were all taken by some one who posted they were going away somewhere and then their "sister" announced her death. I was muchly annoyed. You live and learn. :D
Yes, WE do but it seems THEY don't!
The thing I really hate about all this is that it makes everyone a little more skeptical, a little thicker-skined about other peoples troubles, a little less likely to believe next time. I WANT to believe, I WANT to help but each time something like this happens I find myself holding back just a bit longer before I extend that helping hand. It really is a shame.
Thanks for stopping by and come by anytime!
I love that photo and thought below. So cute!
That is sad that someone has such a lame pathetic life that they make up fantasy scenarios to ask advice that would be inconsequential anyways since its made up! I could tell she/he was a fraud because the format as much as they tried to look illiterate by misspelling words from time to time ( small words) then they spelled the bigger words correctly. How can one from another country write in english so casually and yet not understand our ways? My husbands first language is Spanish and it took him many many years to learn english and he still doesn't have the entire grasp on our vocabulary and comprehension. This person is full of it in every sense of the word........ How terrible! good for pointing it out to us!
Maybe I'm jaded or just practical. My gut reaction to this deceit is, "It could have been a lot worse." Yes, it's sad that someone perpetrated this hoax and preyed upon the goodwill of hubbers. Those who offered advice did so freely -- which is a hallmark of HP. We are a caring, supportive, and eager-to-help lot. With lots of life experience to share with each other.
The author of the post is the biggest loser. S/he has lost any credibility with HP. Assuming s/he even has the balls to post in the future, his/her word will not be taken seriously. That is a big loss, as this is a very rich community.
Meantime, if even one person read the post and advice thread and it helped them in making REAL decisions in their life, then maybe it was worth it. As outragious as the situation described was, the advice from all sides was solid and spot on.
Alas, this isn't the only faker on HP. Luckily, with efforts of people like you, Ruthie, scammers are exposed and shunned. MM
Ruthie!! Three things: 1) Where've ya been? I've missed you!
2) I've never seen you mad before. I don't like that someone took your sense of fun and humour away! That's not nice!
3) This was a deplorable act. I didn't know anything about it until I happened across your hub, but I'm glad that I missed it, anyway. I don't understand people, sometimes.
I just LOVE your pic of the kitten and chick? duckling? below! That is so cute.
Great hub, Ruthie.
YOU COME HELP ME AND
THERE'LL BE SOME
QUACKERS AND MILK! OK?
trish1048 says:
2 years ago
Hi Ruthie,
I agree with you 100%. All I can say is that the person who started that story is a very lonely individual, which is not to say it wasn't a terrible thing to do. Like you said, what goes around comes around. It would be one thing if the person went on and on with their story just for the sake of communicating, but what really bothered me was that they then laughed about it, which says to me that not only are they lonely (WHO would be a friend to someone like that??), but that they have a 'mean streak' and truly enjoy making fools of people. Whatever was the case here, it is definitely NOT appropriate for HubPages! Like you also, I'm sorry I fell for it,,,,however, it won't stop me from reaching out to people asking for help. I have to believe people like the one who wrote here are few and far between.
Thanks for sharing,
Patty