A strange visitor

We live in a quiet area and I've never worried about answering the door, but this thread made me think of what I would do if somebody knocked on the door and asked to use the phone, I would probably let them in without a second thought, happy to help someone in distress, just like Deb did. Obviously not a good move.
 

mellowyellow said:
We live in a quiet area and I've never worried about answering the door, but this thread made me think of what I would do if somebody knocked on the door and asked to use the phone, I would probably let them in without a second thought, happy to help someone in distress, just like Deb did. Obviously not a good move.
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I'm glad you acknowledge that it's not a good move.
I also live in a quiet area. The next-door neighbors were an elderly couple & the house is owned by an NBA star - probably their son. They opened the door to a knock - and 3 home-invasion robbers stole what they could - after beating the couple nearly to death.
 
I think it's obvious now, Deb, to be more careful. Your kindness and considerateness are great qualities but there are people up to no good out there. I would consult the police about this if I were you. I have called them at times just to get their perspective. They can also give you some good advice and tell you maybe things you need to know. This person that came to your house may have gone to other houses, too. I wish you all the best in this.
 
win231 said:
I'm glad you acknowledge that it's not a good move.
I also live in a quiet area. The next-door neighbors were an elderly couple & the house is owned by an NBA star - probably their son. They opened the door to a knock - and 3 home-invasion robbers stole what they could - after beating the couple nearly to death.
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I live in a quiet part of Houston in the Clear Lake area but I do not open my door unless I know who is there. During the week the guys in the maintenance department at the complex look out for us older folks but we are on our own during Holidays and weekends. My family calls before coming over for a visit. Except for deliveries I don't open my door. For deliveries I know when they are coming and who is coming by text. I let the Office know when I have deliveries as they stop people they see wandering around the complex and ask what they are doing here.
 
You can all relax. Judy answered my email and said it was the mother of the woman next door and she knew her. That's probably where her car was - next door. Judy added that she did come to her apartment, so I guess the mystery package was delivered. Still wondering why the cable company said the call didn't go through - it obviously did.
 
debodun said:
You can all relax. Judy answered my email and said it was the mother of the woman next door and she knew her. That's probably where her car was - next door. Judy added that she did come to her apartment, so I guess the mystery package was delivered. Still wondering why the cable company said the call didn't go through - it obviously did.
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Well, that's a relief. :)
 
PamfromTx said:
Don't let strangers in, Deb. For all you know, there could have been a gang out there waiting to break in.
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You have misunderstood, the gang doesn’t have to break in, Deb let’s them in 😂.

Deb, don’t let people you do not know into the house unless they are carrying bibles and ID for Jehovah Witnesses or LDS Church. The LDS guys dress in black suits and ride bicycles. They will help you search for your bookcase shelves.
 
Years ago when I lived in the City a woman on my street got a knock on the door and it was a boy that lived around the corner. He said he lost his key and was waiting for his parents to come home. It was cold outside so he asked if he could go in to get warm. She said "Yes" and then he robbed her and killed her. so from then on, I will never answer my door.
 
Becky1951 said:
I agree call Judy! Also who let's a stranger in their house while Covid is running rampant? Was she wearing a mask?
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So she might have let a masked stranger into her house? 😂

Don M. said:
This certainly sounds suspicious. If she used your cell phone, you might call the number she called, and verify who she was....IF she did indeed make a call. You can also look up the number she dialed, on a reverse phone lookup web-site, and verify the owner of that number.
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Deb does not have a cell phone

I KNEW there would be drama at Deb’s new place. Deb is fine. Mystery is solved. And the stories begin 😊
 
Georgiagranny said:
This⬆️ Exactly this⬆️ @debodun please do call the police and make a report. She was only connected for one second and wandering around your house? The rest of the call was bogus. She was "casing the joint" and looking for things on which to practice the five-finger discount.

Do. Not. Ever. Do. This. Again. If you feel the need to be helpful, then offer to make the call for the stranger and have them wait outside. You know, outside your locked door. If you ever get a cell phone, do not under any circumstances hand them your phone to make a call. That's a swell way to get your phone hacked, which, in turn, will allow them to also hack your computer.

Also, do call Judy if you haven't already. Crap happens in small towns, too. Crap happens everydamwhere, and nowhere is it written that you're exempt from crap happening to you.
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This is all excellent advice, but especially thank you for adding the part about hacking. I wasn't aware of the connection between cell phones and computers.
 
debodun said:
My doorbell chimed around 1:30 PM today. I wasn't expecting company, but I answered it. There was a woman I didn't know standing there. She asked to see Judy (that was the former owner's name). I told her Judy wasn't here any more and had moved and it was my house now. She asked where Judy had moved, but I'm not sure where. Then she kept insisting I was Judy's mother even after I told her I wasn't - twice. She handed me a plastic bag with something in it and said for me to give it to Judy. I didn't want that responsibility and felt she should deliver it herself, I offered to give her Judy's phone number and wrote it down. Then she asked to use my phone. I guess she called Judy and talked quite a while as she walked around my house. I was just about to ask her to wrap it up - she was starting to get on my nerves, but I think they got something worked out. I was relieved when she went.
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You know, the 1950's is over. I don't mean to be an alarmist but answering the door bell, letting someone IN the house, letting them wander around while they talk on your phone is just a serious break of your security.
 
I probably would have done everything Deb did and scolded myself later. I was raised to be friendly and welcoming to people who stop by! Remember stopping by?

I don't have so much as a peep hole in door, but I've discovered a good way to talk to strangers without opening the door. At the sound of the doorbell my dog always goes berserk and if I open the door she'll run barking down the street. So I open the window beside the door, (and over a bed of giant prickly shrubs) tell them why I can't open the door, and we talk from there.

If Deb's woman had stood in my doorway, without identifying herself, rattling on about Judy, gifts, and who's mother I might be, I would have waited for a pause, given her a level look and used a phrase I learned while in England. "And you are?"
 
Della said:
I don't have so much as a peep hole in door, but I've discovered a good way to talk to strangers without opening the door. At the sound of the doorbell my dog always goes berserk and if I open the door she'll run barking down the street. So I open the window beside the door, (and over a bed of giant prickly shrubs) tell them why I can't open the door, and we talk from there.

If Deb's woman had stood in my doorway, without identifying herself, rattling on about Judy, gifts, and who's mother I might be, I would have waited for a pause, given her a level look and used a phrase I learned while in England. "And you are?"
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I have the same 'dog excuse' if people come to my apartment door.. they step back when they see an excited dog, even thou he isn't big and furious.
 
debodun said:
My doorbell chimed around 1:30 PM today. I wasn't expecting company, but I answered it. There was a woman I didn't know standing there. She asked to see Judy (that was the former owner's name). I told her Judy wasn't here any more and had moved and it was my house now. She asked where Judy had moved, but I'm not sure where. Then she kept insisting I was Judy's mother even after I told her I wasn't - twice. She handed me a plastic bag with something in it and said for me to give it to Judy. I didn't want that responsibility and felt she should deliver it herself, I offered to give her Judy's phone number and wrote it down. Then she asked to use my phone. I guess she called Judy and talked quite a while as she walked around my house. I was just about to ask her to wrap it up - she was starting to get on my nerves, but I think they got something worked out. I was relieved when she went.
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The conversation should have ended with your telling her that Judy doesn't live there any more. Sorry, can't help you. Goodbye! (And immediately closed and locked the door.) It was not your job to furnish Judy's address or any other information about her. There was clearly something "off" about this woman, which should have been a warning signal to you. I am astonished that you actually let her come into your house, much less use your cell phone. She could have been dangerously mentally ill!

Please be more careful.
 
Shalimar said:
Define strange? 😁
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They came to get my well working again. I didn't have any water yesterday, had to go to a neighbor with jugs to fill.

I couldn't believe how much I talked to those guys, I'm pretty reserved. I guess if you don't talk to many people on a weekly basis things can get chatty. I kept it low-key, but probably said more than I should have. I texted my son about it so he'd know "just in case".
 
Judycat said:
They came to get my well working again. I didn't have any water yesterday, had to go to a neighbor with jugs to fill.

I couldn't believe how much I talked to those guys, I'm pretty reserved. I guess if you don't talk to many people on a weekly basis things can get chatty. I kept it low-key, but probably said more than I should have. I texted my son about it so he'd know "just in case".
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Seems pretty normal to me. 🤗
 
Judycat said:
They came to get my well working again. I didn't have any water yesterday, had to go to a neighbor with jugs to fill.

I couldn't believe how much I talked to those guys, I'm pretty reserved. I guess if you don't talk to many people on a weekly basis things can get chatty. I kept it low-key, but probably said more than I should have. I texted my son about it so he'd know "just in case".
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I do that as well, I am very chatty. Have you noticed? 😂
 
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