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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this being a CF?

26 replies

Whatisthisfuckery · 14/09/2019 20:12

Just had a request from my neighbours and not sure what to do.

I’ve lived here for a couple of months. Relations with the flat next door have been mixed. There’s was a row about parking, where the wife blocked DP in on purpose for parking in the unaloocated space that next door woman insisted was her’s. It was all a bit ugly and unpleasant.

Fella from next door helped me changed the smoke alarm battery. He popped to the shop round the corner to get one for us because it was late.

Anyway, the other day next door man knocked on the door asking to borrow my landline phone. Apparently they’re changing ISP but didn’t know their number. This was tuesday and phone has not yet been returned.

Then he has just asked if they can use our wifi until they get internet on the 25th. He’s said they’ll pay for the use of it.

I’m not sure how to answer. In theory I don’t mind them logging on, and I can change the password on the 25th, but it just feels odd, and what about if they hog all the bandwidth? Is this CFery? Or more accurately, AIBU to feel a bit odd about it?

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 14/09/2019 20:16

You can say no. I would.

slipperywhensparticus · 14/09/2019 20:17

Tell them your limited?

Biscusting · 14/09/2019 20:17

CF! Tell him you’ll give him the password when he brings the phone back. Give it 20 min then change the password.

Original poster
Whatisthisfuckery · 14/09/2019 20:24

I might be being daft, it just feels a bit uncomfortable.

Would there be a potential security risk? I mean they could be viewing or downloading anything and I wouldn’t know. I doubt they are doing anything off but could trouble land at my door if they did? I’m not very technical, so I have no idea if they could see what I’m doing or have access to any sensitive info.

Also I don’t know how many devices they’d want to use, and what they want to do. If two devices were streaming films for eg it would slow us down. I have Virgin, which is fast in the day, but they’re only in during the evening and it can be incredibly slow as it is then.

I don’t know, I feel daft for being uncomfortable about it.

OP posts:
Bookworm4 · 14/09/2019 20:26

He’s had your phone since Tuesday? You do know he could be running up a huge bill. Get your phone back and no to wifi

Original poster
Whatisthisfuckery · 14/09/2019 20:28

It’s just the landline phone, Not connected to my line, so they can’t run up a bill.

OP posts:
StoorieHoose · 14/09/2019 20:29

Just say no. Don't ever share WiFi details

BananaPlant · 14/09/2019 20:30

No don’t let them use your WiFi! What if they changed your password?

StoorieHoose · 14/09/2019 20:30

Tell them to get a 4g dongle rather than pay you. Tell them you aren't on an unlimited contract and you don't want to share

Drum2018 · 14/09/2019 20:30

Tell the CF you need your phone back now. Why the hell would you actually give your phone and not just let him make a call from yours as a one off? I'd say no to the wifi and tell him your package is for limited use so you can't share it. Some people!

BigFatLiar · 14/09/2019 20:35

Why would he want the phone? He didn't know the number? What good would having a different handset do - its still the same line.

Cherrysoup · 14/09/2019 20:35

Go round and first, ask for your phone back. Once it’s in your hand, scarper! If they ask about the WiFi again, say you’re seriously limited because you’re broke or similar.

PlaceYourItemInTheBaggingArea · 14/09/2019 20:39

He didn't know his landline number so probably needed to plug in a handset to ring his mobile to get the number.

Yep, CF's. They're taking the piss.

Original poster
Whatisthisfuckery · 14/09/2019 20:39

Just for clarity, they aren’t using my line. I just let them borrow the handset, which never gets plugged in anyway because nobody has my number, indeed I don’t even know it, and I only get nuisance calls.

Thanks for the idea of saying my package is limited. I didn’t think of that. I’ll just tell them that.

OP posts:
Elieza · 14/09/2019 20:42

If you don’t know them say I’m sorry but no.
They could do anything and you’d get the blame.

If you really can’t say no make sure the child locks are on gambling and porn so they can’t get on those at the very least.

They could be emailing mates for drugs or anything and you will be implicated as it’s your IP address. The police will be at your door and although you can point them to the correct people you could end up in the police station answering questions. Sod that for a game of soldiers!
PS Argos have landline phones for £6.99 so they should buy one of those rather than use yours.

Graphista · 14/09/2019 20:43

Not only cf but if they do anything dodgy/illegal on it then it can be traced to YOUR address/ownership of wifi - particularly problematic if you or anyone in your household has to have a clean background check for work!

Not to mention the possibility of the police or worse battering down your door!

So no! Don't do it. You barely know them.

Bouffalant · 14/09/2019 20:44

I'd never share WiFi.

HugoSpritz · 14/09/2019 20:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dollydaydream114 · 14/09/2019 20:48

Absolutely do not let him use your WiFi. You don't know him, and you have no idea what material he might download or access over your connection. It's not safe to let a random stranger use your WiFi like that, even if you change your password.

Original poster
Whatisthisfuckery · 14/09/2019 20:56

Thank you MN hive mind. First I asked for the phone back and stood silently until he got it, then I told him I have a limited package.

I feel a bit bad but as PP have said, I don’t know them. They might seem fine but it would be silly to take the chance. Plus my internet is crap enough in the evenings as it is.

I felt uncomfortable about it so that’s why I came on here. Thanks all for confirming that it’s not just me being stingy.

OP posts:
Notverycreatiive · 14/09/2019 21:03

With access to your WiFi he has access to your router, which in turn could provide him with the details of other devices logged Into the router. Depending on his technical know how..

The only other issue.. anything illegal he does online, gets linked directly to you.

Drum2018 · 15/09/2019 00:09

Good for you. Hope he doesn't look for anything again, but don't ever be afraid to say a straight out No.

justilou1 · 15/09/2019 00:11

No way to wifi

Uniformuniformuniform · 15/09/2019 07:25

No don't give the password. Never!!

Forget the phone and cut your losses. Don't lend them anything again and equally don't ask any help from them either

Surfskatefamily · 15/09/2019 07:35

Personally I'd ask for phone and then let then use Internet, its good to try and have good terms with neighbours
Sounds like they might help you out again if you need as well.