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Original poster

In shock, just realised laptop stolen

48 replies

Bloodybridget · 26/06/2021 22:36

I think an opportunist thief came in while I was out, DP in back garden, front door left open while a man who's working on the front garden went to the loo (portaloo outside). Dp and I got home c 6pm, v tired, I only noticed laptop gone about 45 minutes ago. Set of keys gone too so will have to change locks. I'm really worried because I had details of loads of accounts etc in a document on the laptop. I've contacted all my credit a debit card companies but what else should I do? So upset

OP posts:

CrappyBirthday2Me · 27/06/2021 03:33

Definitely the workmen.

FortunesFave · 27/06/2021 03:40

@covidcloser

Grabbing a laptop is different to disconnecting and taking a PC - I would definitely suspect the workman. An opportunistic theif walking past wouldn't be stealing a PC.

It's a laptop though. OP go on Facebook marketplace and local groups and tell everyone there. Someone might try to sell it...or check first to see f it's been advertised.

Chisandbiscuits · 27/06/2021 03:47

@MilesOfSand

Was it password protected? It’s pretty hard to bypass that I think.

No it isn’t, unfortunately. My other half is a technician, he bypasses pins and passwords on laptops and desktops all the time.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General shopping

Icepinkeskimo · 27/06/2021 05:17

@CrappyBirthday2Me

Definitely the workmen.

You seriously think that any tradesman would stoop to do this? That is offensive and judgemental, whatever happened to trust and reputation? One day you will need work doing in your palace and I hope that all trades are "far to busy" to help

lborolass · 27/06/2021 05:45

@CrappyBirthday2Me

Definitely the workmen.

A workman still working on site? He's the only one around and thought he'd steal a laptop and no one would notice or suspect it might be him?

Strange things happen but unless he's very stupid or brazen that doesn't sound like the most likely thing

SuperstoreFan · 27/06/2021 06:23

Windows security is very easy to bypass, if you turned on device location that might help but unfortunately it's probably already been wiped and is in your local CEX store already.

KatherineJaneway · 27/06/2021 06:38

Sorry this happened to you

If it was a thief, they will have wiped it and taken it to Cash Converters or similar to sell for cash.

Guavafish · 27/06/2021 06:53

Sorry for you… it’s horrible feeling being robbed.

Home security is a good idea!

listsandbudgets · 27/06/2021 07:02

Oh no OP I'm so sorry.

This happened to us. Opportunist thief in and out the front door woth DDs phone and debit card. Luckily for us, he didn't know dd bad tracking in her phone and police were able to narrow down to 4 houses and got him with DD's debit card in his pocket! When they searched house they found enough evidence that he ended up with a 3 year prison sentence - fraud, 10 burglaries and I forget what else. Hopefully whoever burgled you will end up making a similar stupid mistake.

Its such a horrible feeling.

listsandbudgets · 27/06/2021 07:05

ps doubt it was trademan they rely on word of mouth and if burglaries kept happening where they worked they'd not have much trade left

Fanofcrisps · 27/06/2021 07:47

Any work stuff on it? GDPR. Don't lose your job as well. Sorry this happened to you OP.

Iamsodonewith2020 · 27/06/2021 07:56

This has happened to us twice. Both times it was the workman who was eventually found to have stolen items. Second time formed a police investigation as multiple customers had items stolen. This was from a well respected local company. I don’t trust anyone since and always lock items away if I have to go out.

Youdiditanyway · 27/06/2021 08:34

So offensive when people jump straight in to accuse the tradesman. He’s doing a job, there’s no way he’d risk that job to steal a £500 laptop or whatever- it simply isn’t worth his time.

Original poster

Bloodybridget · 27/06/2021 08:53

Thanks all for more responses. I hope the laptop has been wiped, my main concern was them accessing everything that's on it. We realised this morning that a large piece of equipment they were using , hired I think, has disappeared too. So I think the most likely scenario is that the thief nipped in somehow during the morning and grabbed the keys, then returned when the house was empty. DP was absolutely sure she did double lock the door.
@Fanofcrisps I don't work any more, so that's not a problem.

OP posts:

mintich · 27/06/2021 09:49

Wait I'm getting confused. Who is DP? I thought this was partner as it says they are a women but then you say your other half is a man. Not that it really matters to the theft but so I can get the story straight!

mintich · 27/06/2021 09:50

Wait I'm reading someone else's reply......ignore me!!

TakeYourFinalPosition · 27/06/2021 10:31

It seems it’d be very brazen for someone to enter a house through an open front door, without knowing no one was in there; and swipe some keys… and then risky for them to come back later? They’d have to be very sure that it was worth it…

Are the keys kept really close to your front door?

Was the laptop taken in the first theft; or the second?

I’m not sure that insurance will cover this if the door was left open but it might, as someone was home. And they’d be able to advise on securing your door, as right now you’re missing keys and a laptop, so vulnerable on quite a few fronts.

The advice for you both to go through and change all passwords; and log out anything like Facebook, Netflix etc is good.

Do any of your neighbours have Ring doorbells or similar that might have caught some activity?

I’m sorry this has happened - it must feel so odd.

cocoloco987 · 27/06/2021 10:59

Very strange situation. Very opportunistic and surprised they visited twice unseen. I'd definitely check for ring doorbells in the street.

CantHaveTooMuchChocolate · 27/06/2021 11:18

@MilesOfSand

Was it password protected? It’s pretty hard to bypass that I think.

Unfortunately it won’t matter as you can simply boot from a usb and read everything off the hard drive directly.

I’d recommend signing up to a credit check service (e.g. Experian) temporarily to make sure you’re notified of any attempts at ID theft/fraud, etc.

Sorry this happened to you, awful. I’d also recommend encrypting your drive on your next pc for extra security.

LookItsMeAgain · 27/06/2021 11:23

Was this laptop/pc provided by your workplace or employer or was it something that was purchased privately as you would have to let your employer know if it was provided by them.

Original poster

Bloodybridget · 27/06/2021 13:14

I'll definitely be upping security for my next laptop! @LookItsMeAgain I'm not employed, I've been retired for years.
None of the neighbours has seen anything and no-one close to us has a CCTV camera or Ring doorbell. The street can be very quiet despite being in inner London.

OP posts:

MistySkiesAfterRain · 27/06/2021 13:27

A few years back DF had a company round to quote on landscaping the garden.

While there, he showed them the shed, inside of which were two expensive bikes. He locked it up, chatting away, with the stick (yes stick) that he used to keep the door shut. Off they went, down the side passage along the house, which had no gate.

The following morning, we woke up to find that he had been burgled (I was staying at the time). They lifted all the bikes, and went into the neighbours at the end and stole a bike that they'd saved up for for their grandson.

We think it was the landscape company giving someone a tip off.

Hoping that is not the case for you, but it can happen.

Original poster

Bloodybridget · 27/06/2021 21:01

@MistySkiesafterrain that's an awful story, your poor DF. The landscaping company was recommended by the garden designer, who has worked with them a lot. I don't have any suspicions where they're concerned. We live in a high crime area, there have been spates of burglaries and attempted break-ins in our street.

OP posts:

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