Why do strangers keep coming to my door?!

[Skysky1]

I've lived in my house for just over 2 years
Since over a year ago I have had strangers (mostly men, but one woman) knock at my door then when I answer they state that they are at the wrong door then walk away
This has happened about 8 times roughly
And it's really creeping me out
On one of these occasions when answering the door the guy was stood there with his back towards me for at least 15 seconds before he even said anything
Surely if these people are genuinely looking for someone that used to live here they would have spoken to them within the past 2 years to know that they no longer live here. conspiracy theories are going around in my head
As to why strangers keep coming to my door

Oh dear sounds very strange. In future can you check through a window so you dont have to open the door? Sounds dodgy to me stay safe xxx

Don't open your door if you are unsure who it is.
Be careful.

Do you have pampas grass?

What is pampas grass

Or a red light ?
Check local phone boxes

Stop opening your door to strangers, for one. Get a ring doorbell and you can speak to them through that if you wish and tell them to bugger off.

Did drug dealers live there before you? Or a brothel maybe....😮

Pampas grass 😂😂😂

OP. if you have a spy hole, use it.
Or if not, install a chain.

Failing that, it may be worth spending the money on a Ring doorbell and looking at who’s there before you answer

I had this the first few weeks of living in my flat. Found out previous tenant was a drug dealer.😐 So that could be one explanation...

Do they arrive in cars?

In my case, it's because a woman who lives in the next street over doesn't know her postcode. My random callers are usually tradesmen or takeaway delivery drivers who've whacked the wrong postcode into their sat nav and not looked at the street names.

Sometimes, they guess that they have the wrong address from my reaction to them. If they were in the right place, I'd be inviting them in or taking the curry or whatever rather than staring at them blankly.

Previous occupant was either a drug dealer or a prostitute.

I had friends who rented a flat once who had this. They had randoms knocking on the door, usually at night. It was a 4 bedroom flat share and had previously been a brothel! (One if the drunk random told them)

Maybe a drug dealer, or someone who sold duty free cigarettes or something, lived there before you, and it's people chancing their arms whilst in the neighbourhood?

Did drug dealers live there before you? Or a brothel maybe...

Pretty much my first thought

Use the peephole and stop answering the door to ransoms.

Criminals will 'stalk' an area and watch peoples routines to work out when they are in or out. Could be part of that. Checking if you are in and when you are in. A friend had a nasty attack recently - criminals broke in when they knew someone was in to demand car keys handed over. Police told them that the gang would have watched the house and area for a while and would know exactly when people were in or out.

I had that in a flat before and turns out it used to be a brothel
One of the punters said they were looking for sex

Pampas grass 😂😂😂

Gosh, I'd be a bit scared, do you live alone?

Definitely just use a window so even shout through the door rather than open it.

Do they arrive around the same times?

I feel for you

I have the usual chancers (had one today trying to flog me some pillows whilst standing there on my porch counting his wad of notes!!) and two weeks ago opened the door to a woman who had come to view my house . Only my house is not for view .

Have you googled your address to see if anything comes up?

I agree about getting a Ring Doorbell.

There is a trend for people to turn up at the door to find out if you have a dog, they return later to steal your dog. I don't think they do it several times in a row though.

Or agree, brothel, drug dealer. An obvious camera or Ring if you are in an area where it works, a sign saying CCTV in operation, and don't open the door, shout out of a window and ask what they want. I would be inclined to put a note on the door saying 'Previous occupier has moved, do not disturb'.

I remember there being a warning about odd symbols or marks being put on homes/walls and fences a few years ago, sort of codes for burglars and other dodgy individuals. Not sure if this is still a thing?

I'd think that you're possibly living in very close proximity to a brothel tbh

Have you watched to see where they go after your door?

I don't think they would be casing the joint for that long.
The "wrong door" thing is weird- surely you would ask "Is Susan in?" If you thought you were at Susan's door!

This is one reason we didn't buy a house that had been a cannabis farm.

The holes in the ceilings was another reason!

Another vote for either brothel, sex worker or drug dealer living there before you.