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AIBU?

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Original poster

Found a phone in my garden - isolated property - shit scared

791 replies

ScarredBunny · 24/04/2020 19:12

Name changed for this - Sorry if this seem trivial, I know people are dealing with far bigger things at the moment.

I found a phone lying on the ground, about 5 yards from my house.

We live in an isolated property about a mile away from the first road. We have not have any visitors , maintenance people for many weeks (obviously). Delivery drivers, yes, but they would not have any reason to go to this part of the garden/couldn't access it during daytime without us seeing something.
At first I assumed it belonged to one of us, but no! Confused
Phoned the police, have a ref./case number, etc. but they're busy and will get back to us when they can.
The police said to take the phone indoors and wait for their call/visit.

I am worried that the next visit is going to be from whomever the phone belongs to.
The phone is dead as a dodo but I assume it still can be found?

What should do?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
kittensinspace · 24/04/2020 20:01

Keep us posted, OP! I'm invested in the phone mystery now.

mum11970 · 24/04/2020 20:01

The last location of a switched off iPhone is only visible for 24 hours, so if it’s been there longer than that ‘Find My’ would not show a location when checked. The likelihood of anyone trying to break in to look for their phone are pretty much zero. Don’t worry over nothing.

Theukisgreatt · 24/04/2020 20:01

Ohhh, I just had a thought. If a bird did take it, or something, maybe someone has posted about it on social media?

EmpressMcSchnozzle · 24/04/2020 20:01

I see someone else has already suggested birds might have picked it up and dropped it. I've lived in two places where the seagulls have been pretty terrifying - and some birds of prey can pick up rodents and even small dogs, so you might be surprised. I was also going to suggest the fly tipping thing, based on the fact the battery's dead. I'm sure the police will help you all they can. Could it have been one of the delivery drivers?

As others have said, check your doors, windows, etc, make sure you've got a phone handy, maybe draw your curtains at night if you don't already and make sure there are lights on? Have you got a security light on that part of the garden?

Hope you get it sorted soon.

Pieceofpurplesky · 24/04/2020 20:00

Hope it gets sorted

Sennetti · 24/04/2020 20:00

so when was the dog barking? at the area you found it in? is it near door/window/shed ?

Theukisgreatt · 24/04/2020 20:00

I would be a bit worried too. I think its something you only really 'get' if you've lived somewhere isolated as all the normal possible solutions don't work.

I would try and try it out and charge it.

Original poster
ScarredBunny · 24/04/2020 19:59

Police just turned up i'll be back

OP posts:
fallfallfall · 24/04/2020 19:58

a fox is the first thing that comes to mind. doubt it's anything sinister after all it's a cell phone not a gun.
i'd dry it (in a bag of rice) and possibly plug it in. interesting not frightening.

transformandriseup · 24/04/2020 19:58

Sorry not helpful but I would be concerned too given that you are so isolated. Can you set up a camera or at least put up security flood lights?

Original poster
ScarredBunny · 24/04/2020 19:55

Emeline, Pernicious: yes, I think so too.

I will try that now, Handsoff and if it works I want to find out about the owner, I don't give a fig about kindly notifying them off their phone's whereabout. It is a little sinister.

DH was super keen to notify the police, never seen him like this.
Kids would be thrilled to own a phone like this! I don't think it's a secret phone really.

Perfidious we're very boring, no drugs, crime, the road is 2 miles away.

OP posts:
bobstersmum · 24/04/2020 19:55

Very strange!

Thatbitchcarolebaskin · 24/04/2020 19:54

Do you have teenagers/young adults sneaking in boyfriends or girlfriends?

TooTrueToBeGood · 24/04/2020 19:53

Have you got teenagers in the house whose friends might have been covertly visiting to chat to them through a window?

Bluntness100 · 24/04/2020 19:52

I don’t understand how if it’s outside your price bracket you thought it belonged to one of you and you have a charger for it.

sobeyondthehills · 24/04/2020 19:52

It could be a fox, they can be buggers for nicking stuff

chickenyhead · 24/04/2020 19:51

You are right to be concerned OP.

I really wouldn't put it up the garden again. You have reported it to the police and tbh it is better to know how it got there than to live in ignorance.

Novelname · 24/04/2020 19:50

Do you ever seen paragliders in your area? Wondering could someone have been paragliding or similar and have dropped it?! Might explain why it is dead too? Although I expect it would have smashed I suppose!

SonjaMorgan · 24/04/2020 19:49

I would be worried as well. Not much you can do but make sure you have the house locked up well and leave nothing on show. Do you have any security lighting?

perniciousdot · 24/04/2020 19:49

Don't charge it - it's bloody wet

littleducks · 24/04/2020 19:49

I can't see anyone breaking in to retrieve it realistically

MissConductUS · 24/04/2020 19:48

I googled it and apparently there is still a signal for location even on a dead phone.

A phone needs power to emit any type of signal.

pussycatinboots · 24/04/2020 19:47

I'm assuming that is what you are more concerned about Smile

Sennetti · 24/04/2020 19:46

sim card in it op?

pussycatinboots · 24/04/2020 19:45

put it in a plastic bag and lock it away in the microwave.
the microwave with "shield" it and prevent it from giving off any signals.