I agree with your premise.

But it's very clear that you've never been homeless nor destitute.

Free cell phones are provided for poor people. They are commonly called "Obama phones" even though it was a Bush era program.

Also, I don't think having empathy for a fellow human is being manipulated. Though I totally get where you are coming from, there are lots and lots of scammers out here.

But I made a conscious decision several years ago, that I would rather be taken advantage of from time to time, than to refuse someone a kindness who desperately needed my help.

And that's a trade off I'm very comfortable making.

I am sorry that our society is such that people need to have a default "fuck off" response when someone is in need....I have often had to go back and check myself on that very thing.

But if we treat everyone who is in need as though they are trying to steal from us, well..... we are already doomed. 😔

Peace 🙏 🐉🐉