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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Need help - just been burgled

20 replies

KittyBump · 17/08/2011 15:45

Just got home to find we have been burgled. Bastard got in through the upstairs bathroom window, yes it was slightly open, no we didn't expect someone to climb onto the roof in broad daylight and get in through a tiny window. My neighbours chased him (teenage lad) but he was on a bike.

My laptop has been taken, what do I need to do? We have called the police etc. but I'm thinking about what stuff there might be on the laptop.

I have changed email password, deleted amazon payment info.

Can you help me think what else there might be?

I know this isn't AIBU but please cut me some slack. Or I could make it AIBU by saying AIBU to want to strangle the little scrote who has been through my house and nicked my stuff?

OP posts:
Shinyshoes1 · 17/08/2011 15:48

DONT TOUCH ANYTHING.

Let the police come and advise you.
Did he only take a laptop? Do you do grocery shopping on there? would there be 'stored' payment card numbers on there?

So very sorry to hear this :(

edwardcullensotherwoman · 17/08/2011 15:54

Do you have an eBay/Paypal account? Facebook? Internet banking? If so I'd try to get that info changed asap too - maybe call the bank and ask for a temp freeze on your account incase anyone tries to use it. Try to think of all the sites you use online and what you're signed up to.

And as Shinyshoes1 said, don't touch anything until the Police get there.

So sorry to hear this has happened - it's one of my fears Sad FWIW, YANBU Smile

Rowena8482 · 17/08/2011 15:55

Change all your internet banking passwords and anything else that the laptop might have stored the password for, even if you aren't sure it has stored them. Anything and everything you can think of that you've ever logged into from there. Contact the bank too, and check how you stand if there's fraudulent use of your internet banking stuff.
Notify any family/friends if you had anything sensitive on there - address book etc - that their details might be "in the wrong hands".
Did you have any ah, pictures or video on there that you don't want anyone to see? you could end up on youtube if there was anything "interesting" :-|

ShellWeDance · 17/08/2011 15:55

I'd say any internet bank log ins. Would you have a list of any passwords? Generally computers don't store full details of anything, it's only if you've kept lists on your desktop, etc. Did you have any letters to banks, etc?

Sorry this has happened to you.

Original poster
KittyBump · 17/08/2011 15:58

thanks for the reply, the police have already been. No he took my husband's Xbox and PS3 too, I think he looked through the window and saw what he could grab.

yes i'll check my Tesco account thanks

OP posts:
LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 17/08/2011 16:00

OP... perhaps check that all the keys you have to the house/car, etc. are actually in your possession, passports too.

Sorry to hear this, it's the most awful thing. :(

LatteLady · 17/08/2011 16:00

Everyone else has given you very sensible advice. Make yourself a cup of tea and make a list of everything that is missing, you will also need to ring your insurance people.

You are not stupid, people should not be burgling you, you don't need any slack because you have not done anything wrong. You do however deserve a big (((hug)))

I hope that things are sorted out quickly, it is probable that the lad will be known to your local police which may help to expedite things especially as your neighbours saw him.

Shinyshoes1 · 17/08/2011 16:02

invest in one of those UV markers.

I know it's a bit late now but get one and mark everything with it. including ipods etc.

Sometimes people do get their things back Smile

Shinyshoes1 · 17/08/2011 16:03

my local police force gave me one for free , its worth asking

Original poster
KittyBump · 17/08/2011 16:14

Just checked for keys, my husband's car was on the drive but thankfully he hides his keys - all of you go and hide your keys immediately!

I've called insurance but have a nasty feeling they'll not pay out as the window was open.

OP posts:
create · 17/08/2011 16:28

Kitty - unless you're in a high crime area, where windows being locked is a condition of the insurance (sometimes is to get a cheaper price) then the fact that the window was open is irrelevant as far as your insurance claimis concerned

So sorry this has happened to you. We were done this time last year, while we slept Sad The front door was unlocked (or rather not double locked) because until then, I was more scared of fire than I was of being burgled. They took only a mobile and some cash, but for months every time something was missing you think, did the bastards take that too?

Sorry, I'm nowhere near technically minded enough to help with the laptop Blush

jesuswhatnext · 17/08/2011 16:38

im sorry as this will sound horrible but you need to look into your security as (im told by my plod db) that a burgler will give you a couple of months to replace stuff and then hit you again! Angry get a home security company to come and look round and sort out an alarm!

LineRunner · 17/08/2011 16:42

I'm so sorry but you won't be insured if you left the window open.

You need to make sure it is locked with a window lock when you go out, for your own security and also to keep your insurance valid.

Smart Water is good. Our local police supply it.

pippitysqueakity · 17/08/2011 16:44

Agree with create, I was burgaled through an unlocked window, did not affect insurance, tho' claiming was a pain as they kept asking the same questions and not paying attention to the answers. Also agree with create, you might notice other things, and have to check you have not misplaced them. Do you have jewellery boxes/piggy banks etc? Small digital camera? Easy to take and easy for you to miss.
If internet banking, just phone your bank, they will sort it out their end.
We were done on a Sat night while asleep, and Police actually said we were lucky cos less damage could be done with our bank accounts/ credit cards early on a Sunday morning without being traced. And about 8 months later they caught the toerag! But we didn't get our photos back. Sad
Sorry this happened to you, is crap.

DumSpiroSpero · 17/08/2011 16:46

If you have paper copies of bank/credit card statements might it be worth having a look through to check when you've used them online for the last couple months.

I know if I make the odd internet purchase late at night or on the spur of the moment from somewhere I don't normally shop I'd probably forget that I might have details registered.

flipflapdoodle · 17/08/2011 16:49

I'm so so sorry. We were burgled a few years back and it was horrible. Not so much the monetary value of what was taken, but the thought someone had been in your house and through your things. I second - CHECK YOU HAVE ALL YOUR KEYS! Our spare car keys were nicked and we were lucky to spot in and avoid the car going too.

I wouldn't expect police to do much, ours suggested it was our fault for being out (despite good security - tried 3x windows and doors and eventually smashed one). I was at work (shifts) and hubby sorting out aftermath of family bereavement!

Be FIRM with insurance company and try and communicate in writing if they are at all arsey. Our ins co were a pain in the arse, but improved once we made a formal complaint...... We found referencing paragraphs from ins documents helpful.

LineRunner · 17/08/2011 16:51

Sorry if I got that wrong, but my insurance company didn't pay out under similar circs as there was no sign of forced entry.

keepingupwiththejoneses · 17/08/2011 16:55

Everyone has given great advise re the laptop. Does your DH use his ps3 and xbox online? if so they hold card and bank details for payment. Sorry this has happened, it is a horrid thing [hugs]

LaitAuChocolat · 17/08/2011 17:23

Sorry to hear that you were burgled, I was also burgled yesterday, in broad daylight and WHILE I WAS IN THE HOUSE may i add, they took my sons new laptop and a bag which had a shirt and some ties in that I had bought for my brother as he had an interview today. They didnt fancy the ties tho and dumped the bag in front of the house. Luckily am insured........

Original poster
KittyBump · 18/08/2011 00:07

Thanks everyone, really good advice.
We don't think anything else has gone, he walked past loads of small easy to nick stuff that was worth more than the things he took Hmm the forensics man (!) said he probably looked through the downstairs window, saw what he wanted, then got in as quickly as possible went straight to the stuff and out again. Considering it was broad daylight and he had to climb onto a roof at the front of the house then he probably was as quick as possible.
thanks also for the positive stories re insurance companies, they did ask me if the window was damaged but said that was just in case they had to get a glazier out to repair it. I am slightly dubious but we'll see.
DH didn't have any card details on the consoles, after Sony was hacked recently he deleted his accounts. He has the serial numbers of all the items too so that may help if the burglar tries to take them to Cash Converters or the like.
So sorry for those of you who have been through this and been in the house at the same time! I have an 8 month old and I'm feeling very vulnerable knowing that someone can come and invade our home.
Thanks for the advice re looking at statements, I've been trying to go through my email account and see where I have bought anything online, pretty slow going! And yes we will be getting an alarm ASAP and securing the house, he has seen all our stuff now so may well be planning a return trip. Though hopefully the neighbours chasing him down the street may have given him a scare.
I really was very naive and thought this wouldn't happen to us, oh well much worse stuff happens all the time. Thanks again xxx

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