Thiis is bad from a number of aspects. If he doesn't know what to do, then he isn't reading the threads, or supporting the forum. A lazy poster like that shouldn't be getting merits anyway. I was in a good mood, so I just put him on ignore, but I usually report the begging spam.
A senior member knowing nothing about the merit system sounds like a bought account to me. Nevertheless, that's going to happen again, I'm afraid. Reporting them or ignoring them maybe depend on how they approach you, but, from my perspective, reporting them may be useful, just in case they are bought or hacked accounts.