topic Re: New scam to be on guard for in Community Chat

New scam to be on guard for

depglass — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 18:22:29 GMT

I live in a rural area with many small towns. A woman in a class I take was telling us this story about her neighbor. She let some guy in to use her bahroom, a complete stranger. Later that day she noticed some of her prescription medications were missing from the medine cabinet, painkillers, no doubt. First of all, I can't imagine letting a stranger into my house, much less letting them use the bathroom. And second, you shouldn't leave meds in the bathroom anyway because of the moisture.

Re: New scam to be on guard for

Vivian — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 18:30:22 GMT

I would never let a stranger into my home to use the bathroom. I’d direçt him to the nearest public toilets. I have pain meds in my house because I’m having knee replacement surgery next month and I’m currently hurting big-time. Still, I try not to take the meds unless I’m really suffering and I keep them well hidden. You never know when someone can strike up a conversation and elicit personal information..like upcoming surgery...that could lead to a theft.

Re: New scam to be on guard for

Bri36 — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 18:33:24 GMT

I wouldn’t have even opened the door to a stranger - let alone allow him in my home

Re: New scam to be on guard for

Mz iMac — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 18:35:22 GMT

That scam is not new.

Re: New scam to be on guard for

SeaMaiden — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 18:36:06 GMT

Anyone who would let a complete stranger in their home for any reason man or woman is a complete IDIOT. Not these days, no matter where you live.

Re: New scam to be on guard for

Cakers3 — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 18:36:26 GMT

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

Re: New scam to be on guard for

Sooner — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 18:44:22 GMT

@depglass wrote:
I live in a rural area with many small towns. A woman in a class I take was telling us this story about her neighbor. She let some guy in to use her bahroom, a complete stranger. Later that day she noticed some of her prescription medications were missing from the medine cabinet, painkillers, no doubt. First of all, I can't imagine letting a stranger into my house, much less letting them use the bathroom. And second, you shouldn't leave meds in the bathroom anyway because of the moisture.

@depglass Lots of us who live in the southwest or near southwest have NO problem with moisture in our bathrooms. It has never been an issue for us.

Re: New scam to be on guard for

ValuSkr — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 18:48:33 GMT

Good reminder, especially for those of us with elderly parents - they tend to be more trusting. I don't know why. I guess our society harbors more bad apples than it did back in their day.

Re: New scam to be on guard for

Nightowlz — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 19:47:20 GMT

That's crazy. I would not even answer my door to a stranger much less let them use my bathroom.

When we had 1 bathroom remodeled DH did most of the work but we hired out part of the removal of heavy tub. One of the crew was a female. She wanted to use the restroom while she was here. I told DH NO when he asked. No way is someone using my bathroom going through my bedroom where I have jewelry & other personal stuff. I had our bedroom door closed & locked while they were working. She kept leaving to go some place to use the bathroom. Ridiculous.

Re: New scam to be on guard for

Coquille — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 19:49:58 GMT

It doesn't have to be a stranger to take something from the medicine cabinet. It could easily be a workman who you have hired and he asks to use the bathroom. Then when you go to check for something, you realize it's gone. This has not happened to me but it has happened to my neighbor.

Re: New scam to be on guard for

goldensrbest — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 20:09:38 GMT

Honestly that is just being stupid, not a scam.

Re: New scam to be on guard for

Katcat1 — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 20:16:10 GMT

That is so scary to let a complete stranger in your home. He could have raped her or killed her or both. Drug addicts will do anything to get their drugs. Thank God she is okay but hopefully she has learned a lesson. I live in an apt. building and there are some really dumb people who buzz in anyone. Thank goodness I live far from the entrance door (there are 3 floors). I would not open to anyone I did not know. Only UPS and the mailman.

Re: New scam to be on guard for

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 20:17:54 GMT

@Coquille wrote:
It doesn't have to be a stranger to take something from the medicine cabinet. It could easily be a workman who you have hired and he asks to use the bathroom. Then when you go to check for something, you realize it's gone. This has not happened to me but it has happened to my neighbor.

@Coquille

ITA ...... It doesn't have to be a stranger that tbinetkes something from the medicine cabinet ... it could be a family member, friend, your babysitter, neighbor .... whatever.

Re: New scam to be on guard for

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 20:23:44 GMT

@depglass wrote:
I live in a rural area with many small towns. A woman in a class I take was telling us this story about her neighbor. She let some guy in to use her bahroom, a complete stranger. Later that day she noticed some of her prescription medications were missing from the medine cabinet, painkillers, no doubt. First of all, I can't imagine letting a stranger into my house, much less letting them use the bathroom. And second, you shouldn't leave meds in the bathroom anyway because of the moisture.

@depglass

There are two distinct points here, from my POV ...

First, letting in a stranger .... this isn't a "new scam" ... it's the oldest trick in the book!

Secondly, do people really still leave important medications in the bathroom? If so, WHY? They can be weakened by bathroom moisture, spill down the sink, be stolen by who knows who. People tend to snoop in medicine cabinets, so I wouldn't leave anything important or personal in them.

I keep my meds in a little box in my bedroom .... never in the bathroom! JMO

Re: New scam to be on guard for

Coquille — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 20:24:17 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 Aboslutely. I would think everyone would know that but maybe not. I'm somewhat of a synic when it comes to certain things. There are certain times when one has to be careful with a lot of things. Drugs, money, jewelry, etc.. Times have changed.

Unfortunately, I feel one can't be so trusting anymore. It's sad but I think true.

Re: New scam to be on guard for

StylishLady — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 20:28:40 GMT

Never thought about a worker asking to use the bathroom. Maybe we should have locks on our medicine cabinets.

As for letting a stranger in, I've seen a TV crime show that had a young man pretending to need water or something for his diabetes. He was "scouting" for a victim to murder. That's scary.

Re: New scam to be on guard for

MoJoV — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 20:32:51 GMT

I wouldn't let a stranger in to use my bathroom and I don't store prescription medication in the bathroom. So we're safe here. 👻

Re: New scam to be on guard for

gizmogal — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 20:40:29 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
Anyone who would let a complete stranger in their home for any reason man or woman is a complete IDIOT. Not these days, no matter where you live.

My UPS route driver is a woman. I really don’t know her personally but I recognize her as she is on my street or at my house pretty often. I have let her use the bathroom in my house and it’s only been a couple of times, but I’ve not been harmed or had anything taken. She knows she can ring my bell if she needs to get comfort. It might be harder for her to find a place or a way to get relieved than men drivers. They’re not invited!

I once drove a small truck for local deliveries and it was godawful to find a clean restroom for ordinary needs, and even less fun if it was that time of the month. The men had solutions that didn’t work for me anatomically.

But if some bozo was in front of my door, especially any man I didn’t know, I’d be crazy to let him in for any reason. It’s a judgment call to determine risk versus accommodating kindness. Common sense is enough to know the difference.

Re: New scam to be on guard for

LogoFan — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 20:48:46 GMT

Luckily I have a guest bathroom which does not contain anything but cosmetics and such.

I have never heard until now about not leaving rx drugs in my bathroom. I will check my pharmacy labels to see if there is a warning about this. If not, there should be. Interesting thing about this is that medicine cabinets have been in bathrooms forever.

I would think that architects should have come up with an alternate location years ago, specifically for this purpose.

Anyhow, thanks for information.

Re: New scam to be on guard for

Cats3000 — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 20:54:51 GMT

She's lucky she's still alive. What a mind-boggling fool