Being asked for references?

[hope]

Have any of you ever been used as a reference for someone? It can be so time consuming, invasive and annoying. And pp is right, no one will give out contact for someone who would speak unfavorably of them. And I don't understand why someone would take the word of one stranger (the reference) over another stranger (the provider).
If asked I do provide but I try to rotate. I then beg forgiveness for giving that contact info out.