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AIBU?

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Man knocking telling me to come outside

157 replies

AmberHiker · 11/01/2026 01:07

At around 11pm, when all the houses were dark and quiet, an unknown man repeatedly knocked on my door. He didn’t knock loudly like it was an emergency – it was light but constant, which somehow felt worse.

I was home alone with my young child, which already made me feel vulnerable. I didn’t open the door but spoke through the glass. He told me there was an issue with “cars outside” and kept saying I should come out and look. His story was vague and didn’t really make sense. He had a dog right up at my door and he stood a few steps back. I started recording the conversation on my phone.

As it went on, he became more agitated. He then said he was going home but still told me I should come out and check for myself. I didn’t.

After he left, I looked outside properly from my kitchen window . The only car there was mine. There was absolutely nothing wrong with it – no lights on, no windows open, no damage, nothing. There were no other cars like he’d suggested either. There was literally no reason for him to knock on my door late at night.

The fact that he knocked repeatedly, tried to get me to come outside, and used a story that wasn’t true has really shaken me. Being alone at night with my child, in the dark, with someone trying to lure me outside has made me feel unsafe in my own home. I keep thinking how different it could have been if I’d opened the door.

I’ve reported it, but I just wanted to share in case it helps someone else trust their instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.

OP posts:
DeposedPresident · 11/01/2026 07:53

Thanks what a scary experience. You were right to report.

SparklyGlitterballs · 11/01/2026 07:51

AmberHiker · 11/01/2026 01:27

I actually have two ring doorbells one in the front and one covering the back alley and just my luck both were on charge at this time . I’m still awake now, I feel so unsettled which is silly but had I opened the door I’m assuming the dog would have come in first. I’ve listened to the recording over and over he doesn’t say for example ‘ sorry to knocks late is that your car outside ? The window is down ‘ you know something plausible it’s all very vague . First he says you should come out and look when he sees I’m not going too he says ‘ I’m going home now but you should still come look for yourself ‘ he was like 6ft with a non local accent and had a scarf wrapped around the bottom of his face .. which he did remove . Why did he knock so gently ? First couple I ignored I assumed maybe a delivery driver wrong house , but after a gap he knocked again.. feel quite shook up

I have a battery operated Ring doorbell. It's worth the small expense of buying a spare battery so that when one is running low you can get it charged up and replaced immediately when you remove the low one.

CarrierbagsAndPJs · 11/01/2026 07:49

CanNotBeArsedAtAll · 11/01/2026 03:55

It doesmt reslly help, especially not now
But please make sure ring doorbells are charged in the day time or better still, they are hard wired so dont need to be charged

That this has happened the night they were charging would make me more concerned.

loulouljh · 11/01/2026 07:48

That's unsettling. If it were to happen again I would say "ok I will send my husband out to have a look".

MummyJ36 · 11/01/2026 07:47

Definitely report to the police. I once had a lady knock on my door trying to get me to sign up to something, I said no and then five minutes later she came back and was going through my porch, literally going through the coats, shoes, and looking through the window. I was SO scared. I had DC1 with me who was a baby and it completely unsettled me.

I reported it to the police and told my neighbours and also always locked my porch afterwards.

In your position I would have been very scared OP so don’t feel silly or like you’re overreacting.

chattyness · 11/01/2026 07:39

OP how did he know the only car on the street was yours , maybe he had knocked on other people's doors before yours of course, but stay vigilant and watch out in case he is hanging about during the daytime as well. You could possibly get a better picture of him for the police if he is hanging around.

Londonrach1 · 11/01/2026 07:33

Report to the police and warn your neighbours

mbonfield · 11/01/2026 07:28

The male have mental health issues but you did the right not go outside.

OnePoisedLilacEagle · 11/01/2026 07:04

Speak to some neighbours and see if this man approached them. If he hasn't, let them know so they can be prepared if he shows up again.

openthewindoweveryday · 11/01/2026 06:56

Do you live alone OP or is it just that your DP was out? If you live alone I know it sounds awful but I’d be worried you’ve been specifically targeted as a lone female. Do you have any male relatives or friends who could pop in and out for a bit to show a male presence just in case the culprit has been watching your house? I really don’t mean to create more anxiety by saying this, you must’ve been so worried.

Stayingafloatish · 11/01/2026 06:52

It might have been he chose your house because he could see you didn’t have your ring doorbell up. Only charge during the day moving forwards so it’s up at night. Also like what the other poster said about saying thanks for letting you know, you’ve called the police to come and check things out!

Muffinmam · 11/01/2026 06:48

I once had a man from down the street knock on my door late at night claiming he was the Police.

I didn’t appreciate the intrusion. I wasn’t upset or scared - I was angry. He wasn’t invited, he obviously wasn’t a cop and it annoyed me. I swore at him. Didn’t bother reporting him.

Another time a guy got into my courtyard and was staring at me through the curtains.

I opened the front door and set my dogs on him.

I’m so sick of predatory men.

I have so many more stories.

user1492757084 · 11/01/2026 06:47

Good on you for informing the Police. Make a proper report, including the appearance of the fellow.

SatsumaDog · 11/01/2026 06:32

That sounds very suspicious and frightening op. Well done for standing your ground and not opening the door.

Augustus40 · 11/01/2026 06:26

I never answer after dark or when late. I would probably not have heard them. If I had I would have checked from the upstairs front window then ignored them.

TheSalvadorsStickbymebaby · 11/01/2026 04:54

That's so creepy no wonder you got a scare

canuckup · 11/01/2026 04:07

Honestly I'd have probably just said 'right, ok' shut the window and called the police. I have zero time for random men knocking on doors at 11pm.

Topseyt123 · 11/01/2026 04:04

Creepy.

I once had someone knocking persistently at about 10.30pm. They ran away when I called out simply that they were on cctv and that I would be calling the police if they continued. It was very unsettling though.

So beyond saying that I would call the police and use the cctv, I wouldn't engage them in any conversation at all.

heartbroken26 · 11/01/2026 04:00

I would have said 'ok, I'll just get my husband out of bed to check' make out there is a man in the house.
I've even seen before someone say get some men's shoes like work boots etc and leave them outside the door, any creeps like this will then think there is a man living there.
I would speak to your neighbour's in the morning to see if anyone else had any knocks xx

CanNotBeArsedAtAll · 11/01/2026 03:55

It doesmt reslly help, especially not now
But please make sure ring doorbells are charged in the day time or better still, they are hard wired so dont need to be charged

Ohwhatfuckeryitistoride · 11/01/2026 03:41

I'd warn and check with neighbours too.

LovesLabradors · 11/01/2026 03:24

Really sinister. May have been someone with mental health issues, or something much worse. Hope you sleep tonight!

Friendlygingercat · 11/01/2026 03:18

I once had men knocking on my door pretending to be doing a gas leak check. Not late at night but they were pushy. I told them I was calling the police to check their ID before I opened. They left quickly. When the police arrived they checked with the gas company and there were no eams out looking for leaks. It was an attempted scam.

You could have told him "Thanks for letting me know about the cars. Im calling the police (or some mates who live in the next street) now to come and check." My guess is that he would leave very quickly.

NotMeAtAll · 11/01/2026 03:11

Something like that happened to my mother. It was a young woman shouting in the letter box trying to get her to open the door.

Youngeryoungsuddenly · 11/01/2026 03:01

Bloody hell, how creepy. I hope he doesn’t come back OP.