AITA for not giving a young couple and their baby a ride home in the cold because I didn't know them?

NTA. I'm actually a forensic psychologist in my day job. And whilst this couple may have been genuine, this is also the VERY ploy we expect of criminals. You just can't risk it. Maybe we could give them the benefit of the doubt on one or two things - but added all together, there was a lot to be suspicious about. Always remember ANY type of crime can happen eventually, in ANY area.

Firstly, it's a bit bizarre (for example) that a couple would be out with a BABY, in such cold weather, whilst underdressed. That could be part of the attempt to build sympathy (and as an aside, it doesn't matter if they really had a baby with them or not. Criminals absolutely use a real child at times, to gain sympathy and trust).

Maybe we could give them the benefit of the doubt on that - but then there was the false claim about the bus waiting time. Do we REALLY believe they didn't read the (likely) bus timetable at the stop/online? They certainly seem to be CLAIMING to have read a timetable, by trying to (falsely) claim the next bus was in fact an hour away.

Maybe they exaggerated the wait time to elicit sympathy, because they simply wanted out of the cold. But that doesn't stand up to scrutiny, either. Why not then simply take the imminent bus, if your motive was to get out of the cold? It seems strange they'd forego that immediate solution to their problems, in favour of searching (with a high risk of failure/longer delay) for a stranger to drive them - a random stranger who may well even be a threat TO THEM and their child.

It also somewhat suspicious they claimed no taxi would come, because of the stroller - absolutely many taxis accommodate strollers. Most could simply put it in the trunk. And indeed, what type of transport were you even in, to accommodate the stroller?! If it was just a standard car, it seems strange they'd assume a taxi couldn't ALSO accommodate a stroller.

So why would they again prefer a stranger's car (if they could even find a willing stranger), who may be a risk to them - rather than take a licensed taxi? All in all, there were a lot of holes in this young man's story. It's always suspicious, when the only possible 'solution' is you make yourself vulnerable (by letting them in your car).

It's not advised to take ANY stranger in your car, for any reason. A stranger with genuine intentions will understand your reluctance, and allow you to help in other ways (such as calling them a taxi, etc.) And if a stranger is in a dangerous situation with no other solution (such as stranded alone late at night), the police can be summoned to do a check on their safety.

/r/AmItheAsshole Thread