Attempted intrusion - what to do?
Discussion
Not me, but my block of flats - this morning I read a notice a fellow resident had pinned to the board, and I was wondering on the best course of action to take should it happen again.
This is the situation (SW London - Earlsfield. For those who don't know the area, it's not bad, but nothing special):
A woman rings the flat entry phone, claiming to have been involved in an 'incident', and asking to be let in. Entry is refused for one reason or another (I assume she wasn't convincing to the occupant of the flat) - someone then proceeds to bang on the windows of the flat, before leaving.
The note mentioned that this had also happened to a friend of his, and that he thought he should let us know as it seemed like some sort of scam.
My questions to the floor are:
1) would you have buzzed her in (no video phone, or line of sight on entry to confirm the story).
2) If not, what would you do instead?
3) Has this happened to any of you, or are you aware of any such 'scam' (and what, if anything might be gained from it?).
Personally, I'd have asked her if she had a phone, and if not I'd offer/tell her I was calling the police on her behalf and allow her into the hallway (partly to call her bluff, as it were). My final question to the BiB is: should I *really* call the police (and if so, 999 or another number?), and if I did, would I be seen as wasting their time?
Cheers for any thoughts, apologies for the length.
Dan
This is the situation (SW London - Earlsfield. For those who don't know the area, it's not bad, but nothing special):
A woman rings the flat entry phone, claiming to have been involved in an 'incident', and asking to be let in. Entry is refused for one reason or another (I assume she wasn't convincing to the occupant of the flat) - someone then proceeds to bang on the windows of the flat, before leaving.
The note mentioned that this had also happened to a friend of his, and that he thought he should let us know as it seemed like some sort of scam.
My questions to the floor are:
1) would you have buzzed her in (no video phone, or line of sight on entry to confirm the story).
2) If not, what would you do instead?
3) Has this happened to any of you, or are you aware of any such 'scam' (and what, if anything might be gained from it?).
Personally, I'd have asked her if she had a phone, and if not I'd offer/tell her I was calling the police on her behalf and allow her into the hallway (partly to call her bluff, as it were). My final question to the BiB is: should I *really* call the police (and if so, 999 or another number?), and if I did, would I be seen as wasting their time?
Cheers for any thoughts, apologies for the length.
Dan
dan,
I live about 5 mins from you at the top of allfarthing lane, I know people in the area it's happened to.
Also 1 night about 8 months ago my doorbell was being rung furiously at about 3 in the morning, i have a glass front door & when I went down to investigate (with a bloody big iron bar) I was horrified to see a terribly disfigured girl in school uniform, she said her mother had been taken to hospital (she was screaming & crying) and needed money for a cab. i knew it was dodgy & a scam but i was concerned that her 3 brothers might be waiting outside, I gave her a few quid through a small window & wished her the best. scary though, i didnt sleep much that night!
I live about 5 mins from you at the top of allfarthing lane, I know people in the area it's happened to.
Also 1 night about 8 months ago my doorbell was being rung furiously at about 3 in the morning, i have a glass front door & when I went down to investigate (with a bloody big iron bar) I was horrified to see a terribly disfigured girl in school uniform, she said her mother had been taken to hospital (she was screaming & crying) and needed money for a cab. i knew it was dodgy & a scam but i was concerned that her 3 brothers might be waiting outside, I gave her a few quid through a small window & wished her the best. scary though, i didnt sleep much that night!
craigw said:*Checks map*
dan,
I live about 5 mins from you at the top of allfarthing lane, I know people in the area it's happened to.
Blimey - you are close! I'm just off Strathville Road... I guess there's something going on in the area then. How odd - guess I'll just hope that they don't ring on my doorbell!
Dan
Yep a scam
I have heard of this before, woman knocks on the door. Asks to use your phone to call her husband as she has had an accident. Proceeds to dial the number and makes the call last for a good while, arguing etc. If it happens in the daytime her husband is in a meeting, she waits whilst he is called out of it etc. The scam! do you know what it is yet? Anyway she eventually departs and you think nothing of it, until.............
You get your phone bill. She has setup a premium rate number with a large tarif of her choosing, the one she called, and you foot the bill.
I have heard of this before, woman knocks on the door. Asks to use your phone to call her husband as she has had an accident. Proceeds to dial the number and makes the call last for a good while, arguing etc. If it happens in the daytime her husband is in a meeting, she waits whilst he is called out of it etc. The scam! do you know what it is yet? Anyway she eventually departs and you think nothing of it, until.............
You get your phone bill. She has setup a premium rate number with a large tarif of her choosing, the one she called, and you foot the bill.
oldred said:
Yep a scam
I have heard of this before, woman knocks on the door. Asks to use your phone to call her husband as she has had an accident. Proceeds to dial the number and makes the call last for a good while, arguing etc. If it happens in the daytime her husband is in a meeting, she waits whilst he is called out of it etc. The scam! do you know what it is yet? Anyway she eventually departs and you think nothing of it, until.............
You get your phone bill. She has setup a premium rate number with a large tarif of her choosing, the one she called, and you foot the bill.
The maximum premium rate call is £1.50 per minute.
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