I just did something really dumb... - Page 2

Its Me LuLuBelle2 · ‎10-12-2016

@hoosieroriginal, live and learn and thankfully all is well. Now I'm going to tell you about really dumb. Ten years ago I found a dog advertised for adoption on a bulletin board at a local grocery store. I called the number and spoke with a young woman who was fostering the dog through our local SPCA. She asked if she could bring the dog to our home so she could see how the dog reacted with DH and I and to see if our home was suitable for the animal. The girl came at 8:00 p.m., in November (pitch dark out) with this loveable dog. The young woman was alone - 25 years old, just married and drop dead gorgeous. We lived out in the middle of nowhere on 3 acres of property and no neighbors. I lectured this kid like she was my own. I asked why her husband wasn't with her, did her mother know she was doing this? I said you happened to come to the home of a lovely couple who will not do you harm, but Lord child, you had no idea what you were walking into. A couple of days later we got a call from the SPCA stating we were cleared to get the dog after we filled out paperwork and made our donation. When we went to pick her up I asked to speak with the director of the facility and told him I was happy they checked out the home to be sure the dog would be well cared for but they had a heck of a lot of nerve asking a young woman to do this by herself. He agreed and said they would change their policy so no one went anywhere alone. BTW, the dog is now 11 1/2, her "brother" is 15 1/2 and the loves of our lives.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

It happens. Forgive yourself.

My DH who works with very high security/criminal issues got scammed by two young men in a pick-up truck.

They said they just coated a neighbor's concrete drive way and and had a bunch of finishing material left. They offered to do our double drive way for only $250. My husband agreed.

HAlf way through the project, DH came into our home and went to get cash from our bedroom and I caught him. I was not comfortable and told him so. The guys finished our driveway and my DH asked for ID before he would pay them. Neither fellow could produce ID.

My DH got their license number from the truck. They argued heavily with us because they wanted paid ASAP. We didn't budge.

They left and said they would return with ID. They never did.

My DH spent the next day washing a ton on sand out of our driveway. They spread sand and water with a big brush. It did look good until it dried. LOL

DH reported them to our local PD and they got caught. They had scammed quite a few people out of money.

I spoke to the young men while they were " working" and they seeemd very nice. One of the fellows was telling me about his children. They seemed honest.

My DH was embarassed that he, of all people fell for a scam. It can happen to anyone.

Now we have a rule. We do not let anyone get too far with even talking about home repair or maintance issues, If we need their help, we call them. They can leave materials at the door. I only talk to people through a locked screen/storm door.

We all learn by our mistakes. Thanks for sharing. You gave us all a wake up call.

Noel7 · ‎03-09-2010

You're not alone @hoosieroriginal I think all or at least most of us have make a similar mistake over time.

Looking back, I remember my grandmother letting in the Fuller Brush salesman at the door, he could have been anyone.

We have to keep reminding ourselves we can't be spontaneous with strangers any longer.

Pearlee · ‎06-11-2011

@hoosieroriginal wrote:
Got a knock on the door. There was an older man at the door who I thought was someone whom I had met in the neighborhood when he was working for one of my neighbors. He was supposed to give me an estimate for a new front deck when he had time. Well, I invited this person in my house thinking it was this man who I had previously met. It wasn't him. This guy was "selling windows", asking me if I needed new windows. What an idiot I am - this is how people get killed! As soon as I realized it wasn't the guy, I immediately asked him to leave my house and I did not give him any information he was asking for (name, husband's name, how many windows I have in house, how old house was). I see stories like this on the news and think I am so much smarter than to do something like that! I could just kick myself! He was walking down the street door to door, but just as easily could be casing the neighborhood.

@hoosieroriginal I don't think I would have invited the guy in you were really expecting, either. You really didn't know him. Since work on an outdoor deck was involved, I would have just talked to him outside. Better to be safe than sorry.

You shouldn't let in either of these people!.

hoosieroriginal · ‎03-04-2012

@MacDUFF wrote:
@hoosieroriginal

That would bother me, too, hoosier...something any of us could have done. You might want to keep an eye on things moreso than usual for the next few days. Do you have a dog?

@MacDUFF - yes have 2 - but not sure how helpful they would be. I plan on watching things the next few days. But when you live by yourself it's a little scary.

sidsmom · ‎11-25-2011

I agree with most...be thankful nothing happpened, then release it. 💛

One way to release it is to call your city's non-emergency

number (311) just to log it in case it comes up with someone else.

QueenDanceALot · ‎04-18-2013

You live and you learn.

cherry · ‎03-09-2010

Where I live people that go from door to door must have a license. It might be the same where you are. Remember that the next time someone knocks on your door

hoosieroriginal · ‎03-04-2012

@Carmie wrote:
It happens. Forgive yourself.

My DH who works with very high security/criminal issues got scammed by two young men in a pick-up truck.

They said they just coated a neighbor's concrete drive way and and had a bunch of finishing material left. They offered to do our double drive way for only $250. My husband agreed.

HAlf way through the project, DH came into our home and went to get cash from our bedroom and I caught him. I was not comfortable and told him so. The guys finished our driveway and my DH asked for ID before he would pay them. Neither fellow could produce ID.

My DH got their license number from the truck. They argued heavily with us because they wanted paid ASAP. We didn't budge.

They left and said they would return with ID. They never did.

My DH spent the next day washing a ton on sand out of our driveway. They spread sand and water with a big brush. It did look good until it dried. LOL

DH reported them to our local PD and they got caught. They had scammed quite a few people out of money.

I spoke to the young men while they were " working" and they seeemd very nice. One of the fellows was telling me about his children. They seemed honest.

My DH was embarassed that he, of all people fell for a scam. It can happen to anyone.

Now we have a rule. We do not let anyone get too far with even talking about home repair or maintance issues, If we need their help, we call them. They can leave materials at the door. I only talk to people through a locked screen/storm door.

We all learn by our mistakes. Thanks for sharing. You gave us all a wake up call.

@Carmie - I have heard of this before around Indy. Only when you come outside to talk to them about working on your driveway, someone is sneaking in the back door to take your purse or wallet. They work in groups. I'm so thankful nothing happened.

hoosieroriginal · ‎03-04-2012

@cherry wrote:
Where I live people that go from door to door must have a license. It might be the same where you are. Remember that the next time someone knocks on your door

@cherry - After he left I realized he didn't even mention the name of a company he was working for. Weird.