Have you ever helped someone only to find that you've been used?

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It happened to me. I was living in NYC where there are a lot of "street people" or beggars. There was this woman with 2 kids. She was crying and saying she said she needed money to get her kids out of the city and away from an abusive husband. She gave me this very elaborate story about her brother, who lived about an hour outside the city and was willing to take them in. My heart bled as I listened to her. I went into my apartment and packed them food for the bus ride. A few sandwiches, fruit, chips, some cans of soda. I gave her the money that she said she needed and hailed a cab telling it to take her to the Port Authority bus terminal where she would take the bus to her brother's house. I gave her what money I could. It was about $65. I'm not rich and have to count every penny. It made me feel good that I could do something to help this woman and her kids. Well, the next day I saw the woman again. On another street telling another woman the same story. Except this time she was wasted on something. Seemed like methadone. I was so hurt. I felt used and angry that I had been duped. I couldn't hold it back. I asked her, "How could you? I believe you!" She just looked at me like she didn't see me. Some say I'm just a sucker for even giving her the time of day but I'm human. I feel. I know that if I was in the same situation and needed to get my kids out for their own protection, I'd want someone to help me.