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Original poster

To not give neighbor internet password?

712 replies

NegansDollFace · 29/01/2018 21:21

I’ve lived at my current address for 3 years, 4 in November 2018. The house next door is split into two flats, one upstairs and one down. So I’ve never been particularly close to my next door neighbors. We exchange (limited) pleasantries if we see each other and they’ve taken in a parcel for me once and I for them a few times. They work night times and there’s a bit of a language barrier so we legitimately don’t have any relationship beyond polite.

Tonight when I was at our local supermarket when I saw neighbor from the upstairs flat, I smiled an acknowledged him but moved to go to the self checkout. He followed and began a conversation asking how I was, fine, fine but when I ask him how he is he tells me not so good. He goes onto explain that downstairs neighbors have moved out and took their internet with them. I can already see where this is going so he asked if he could have my WiFi password and that he was willing to pay for it. I was put on the spot so I told him I’d speak to him when I’m home.

I’m home now and really am hoping the fact that I haven’t gotten back to him will speak for itself. What would you all say/do? I have incredibly bad social anxiety and I’m very awkward in these situations. Am I BU to just tell him no? And feel like he’s being cheeky? Surely if he shared internet with the flat below they’d have told him they were moving so he’d have time to get a different provider? Also if he’s willing to pay to use mine wouldn’t it just be easier to get his own installed?

OP posts:
mumpoints · 30/01/2018 09:37

"She then asked how my DD was and if she was still waking at night as they can hear her."

She is trying to emotionally blackmail you, bully you, into paying for her internet.

Try to ignore.

Elementtree · 30/01/2018 09:40

I would tell them that you dabble in a bit of light fraud and you wouldn't want them to get dragged into the police station with you if anything goes wrong.

mumpoints · 30/01/2018 09:42

The banging is harassment. Keep a note of the dates and times. If last night was a one off, then OK. If it happens again, report it.

Elementtree · 30/01/2018 09:42

^that not a serious response, I didn't rtft, sorry. Looks more complicated than the initial op.

Mamawingingit1234 · 30/01/2018 09:48

These CF knew exactly what they were doing. How horrible! Really dont understand the mentality of these people. When we first moved into our house our lovely neighbour gave us him WiFi code as SKY was taking forever to set up. We never asked he’s just a lovely neighbour and now friend. However our situation is very different it’s a very close knit community as we’re only 14 houses in the middle of nowhere.
I would definitely tell them no, you just don’t feel uncomfortable sharing.

Good luck x

BabooshkaBabooshka · 30/01/2018 10:00

If they can pay you for your WiFi, I would wonder why they can't pay for their own WiFi and that would ring bells. Either they have bad credit or they want to do stuff that is illegal/dodgy and use your WiFi to do it. I think it is an incredible cheek that complete strangers would ask you to do this with absolutely no shame and then try and bully you when you say no. Where do these people get their gumption from?

BMW6 · 30/01/2018 10:09

If they persist in banging on the walls I think you should ring 101 and tell them the whole story as they are trying to harass and intimidate you.

Taffeta · 30/01/2018 10:35

Bullet - no, no license

Police were delighted. Found loads of drugs in his place when they raided it

SlothMama · 30/01/2018 10:39

What cheeky buggers! I wouldn't let anyone use my wifi unless they actually live with me, I wouldn't want it slowed down. Also you don't know what they are accessing.

GlitteryFluff · 30/01/2018 10:49

Definitely make a note of the noise.
I'd be tempted to call council and explain - they may be able to log it incase it escalates. Thanks

HouseworkIsASin10 · 30/01/2018 10:51

Bullying fuckers. Get logging it all in a diary. That's the first thing you will be asked when you lodge a harassment complaint.

Don't be intimidated by them. Cheeky fuckers only get away with stuff because people won't stand up to them. They can see your weakness.

I'd have just laughed in their face if they'd had the cheek to ask me. Doubt they'd carry on if you show you don't give a fuck.

DarkPeakScouter · 30/01/2018 10:59

Tell your landlord and don’t answer the door to them

Scottishlassie81 · 30/01/2018 11:07

What a CF. I quick 'ha ha fuck off' and I would have walked away laughing.

More seriously folk are right saying your ISP will be logging his traffic and if he does anything bad it'll come back to you instead.

FrequentFlyerRandomDent · 30/01/2018 11:25

To answer your initial question. It is unsafe to share internet access. They could access your machine directly/place malware (think internet banking, etc). Lots of details there askleo.com/is_it_safe_to_share_my_internet_connection_with_my_neighbor/

I second informing your LL of the situation and politely decline. Hopefully they will move on.

trulybadlydeeply · 30/01/2018 11:26

They are CFs of the highest order OP. Sending you strength for today, just stand your ground and say no, using all or any of the reasons given below. not that you should have to justify your decision of course.

bertielab · 30/01/2018 11:30

I give my wifi password to people who are friends who come and stay and that's it. I also had to have a nice word with one of best friends and her daughter who stayed for a couple of weeks. I thought I had unlimited wifi -but actually that was reached in a matter of days due to all the downloading of films etc that happened- so I had to say no, I got stung for extra on my bill.
Would I ever give it to a neighbour? -yes if they were having issues and needed it for a couple of days until their wifi was sorted for work etc. But your haven't asked nicely, they seem to think they have some sort of entitlement.

I would contact my landlord /letting agency by email and explain the situation. Just to cover my back. I wouldn't ever bother saying 'I'm sorry' or anything if they come back I'd just say 'No' and that's if I even opened the door.

Yes to changing the password.

Sometimes it's tough to say 'No' but I think you have every right to and not to be asked why, but if they insist, just say it violates your contract -go to shut the door and if they continue talking, state - 'Look. You don't seem to realise how rude you are being. I don't know you. Your OH approached me in XX not to say hello and get to know me, but to ask for my wifi code in exchange for payment or for free (whatever he said). I said I would think about it, it took me by surprise but it is an unusual request and not one I've ever had before, it was an unexpected and uncommon request. Next you are here, stating I agreed with you OH to give you the code -that was pressuring, false and rude. Then when I said no -you said you would return and made what could be construed as a veiled threat. Maybe the word no isn't clear enough for you, but it's a 'no from me' I checked and it violates my terms and conditions of my contract. I think my answer very clear'
If they keep going I would add- 'If you can't afford it, why don't you get your own wifi and then put up the code in the neighbourhood and ask for contributions monthly -but I'm not willing to violate my contract, what you do with your wifi is up to you'.
www.pcworld.com/article/2079506/how-to-share-internet-service-with-your-neighbors-and-why-you-shouldnt.html

dreamingofsun · 30/01/2018 11:42

apart from serious potential security issues, no-one seems to have pointed out that it could potentially affect the quality of your bb. you presumably have signed up for a certain level of useage a month - so if you go over this (or they do) you could end up paying extra? Also if they are downloading video your internet speeds are likely to drop.

as someone else says.....you wouldnt let them share your electric or gas so why bb?

Ellie56 · 30/01/2018 12:19

Just tell them, "No, I can't. It breaks my service agreement." Short simple and easy to remember if you're feeling anxious and nervous.

If they persist, say it again.

"No, I can't. It breaks my service agreement."

If they still persist, say it again.

"No, I can't. It breaks my service agreement, "

And shut the door.They will get the message.

"No, I can't. It breaks my service agreement."

Broken record technique.

And if they say they are going to make a complaint about your daughter, say, "You do that." They won't get anywhere. Children do make a noise sometimes.

They are CFs of the highest order. Angry

TroubleinDaFamily · 30/01/2018 12:26

Home is where your WiFi connects automatically.

They don't live with you, they don't use your WiFi.

Simples. Grin

TheMaddHugger · 30/01/2018 12:33

@TroubleinDaFamily
Simples.
Haha Meerkat Insurance strikes again

mumpoints · 30/01/2018 12:33

Those that say they would let others use their wi-fi please be aware it is against the Ts and Cs of your contract... So don't keep admitting on a public messageboard!

mumpoints · 30/01/2018 12:37

(I mean neighbours etc. having access through the walls of course, not friends who are in your house.)

WhatchaMaCalllit · 30/01/2018 13:14

I've only read the first 100 posts so apologies if this has already been suggested (or if the story has moved on a bit) but why don't you give them the password.....and while they're on the stairs walking back up to their room, change it to something else?
If they complain about the lack of connectivity, then you say "Oh, it's working for me...I can't understand why it's not working for you" and if they still hassle you for internet connectivity, then suggest that they get down to Carphone Warehouse (or wherever) and pick up a little internet wifi dongle (that will allow up to 5 devices or whatever to connect to it) or perhaps their landlord should be consulted as they are unable to use their own broadband.
Now, back to the rest of the thread..

geekymommy · 30/01/2018 13:21

If you do give them the password, they're either not going to pay you, going to underpay you, or going to do something dodgy on the internet. And they're going to harass you if you say anything about it. I'm trying to think of another reason why they would want to do this, and I'm not coming up with anything.

If they can't get internet because they have bad credit- well, there's a reason why most people who have bad credit have bad credit. Institutions don't want to lend money to them because they know there is a good chance they won't get their money back.

dreamingofsun · 30/01/2018 13:21

whatcha - and what happens if they get there first and change it?