You will find that addicts and alcoholics always offer up WAAY more info than normal people would when they are asking for money. They always offer up the "house is gonna get taken"'s or the "Car is gonna get repo'd" or in your case the "powers getting shut off". You dont even have to investigate or feel out there situation first. They just come right out with it. Most of the time its BS designed to generate pity. Once pity sets in,..its very hard to say no. Addicts know this and are masters at planting the pity seed. Dont buy into it. If you absolutely need to make sure she has to have the power on (for instance if theres children involved ) than offer to pay it directly TO the power company. Dont give her a check or cash. Shes probably lying to you though.