Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Did I hang up on the police

36 replies

MrsCrabbyTree · 17/12/2019 09:11

This afternoon I took my friend to a specialist eye appointment. Instead of clogging up the waiting room I drove around the corner and parked under a shady tree (live in Aust) to make calls and send emails.

After 30 mins a woman knocks on my passenger window to ask when I would be moving. When I said I didn't know she then wanted to know what I was doing. I politely told her that it was none of her business and she then called me rude for not giving her a good answer. She went inside, returning shortly to take a photo of my car. It grated but I said and did nothing. Immediately prior to picking up my friend I hopped out and took my own photos of how and where my car was parked.

Sorry - this is going to be long!

A short time ago I receive 3 calls in 10 mins from a private number. I decided to answer the 4th.

A male introduces himself with rank and name and proceeded to ask if I had been parked outside such and such address. I replied that I had, asked what the problem was and what had I done wrong for him to phone me. Apparently I had upset an older lady and given her concern. So I said I was sorry that she was alarmed and he then told me it would be better to park elsewhere. I reminded him that I had been parked legally and minding my own business and I would like that to be passed on to the lady concerned. But was told that wasn't his job.

At that comment I concluded there was something 'off'' so asked for his ID# and station to talk face to face with him or any officer to discuss the issue.

Cue - delay and a mumbling answer. Thanked him and I hung up.

So, have I jumped to the wrong conclusion that this call wasn't bona fide? And if it isn't legit - how in the heck did he get my mobile number?

OP posts:
puds11 · 17/12/2019 09:13

Sounds like bullshit to me and even if she had reported you surely they wouldn’t just ring you?

Would your car reg be associated with your phone number?

You weren’t doing anything wrong and it sounds like a crank call so I wouldn’t worry.

BillHadersNewWife · 17/12/2019 09:17

The mumbling when you asked his name was weird and points to fakery. I live in Oz too.

What's weird is how did he get your phone number!? I;d call the police myself and report the incident.

IvinghoeBeacon · 17/12/2019 09:20

Hmm I wonder whether she knows someone in the police/traffic enforcement (sorry for lack of correct terminology) who has done her a favour that they shouldn’t really have done

noeyedeer · 17/12/2019 09:21

I reckon more likely it's is police (or someone with access to their databases), but it's someone the busybody knows and he's phoned as favour when he shouldn't have. You asking for station and number means he could get in trouble for throwing his weight around.

HollyGoLoudly1 · 17/12/2019 09:21

How weird. I would call your local police station to enquire about it. Doesn't sound legit but then again, how on Earth would the woman have managed to get your phone number if it's a crank call? I wouldn't be concerned but I would be very, very curious!

NekoShiro · 17/12/2019 09:22

Call the police and ask if they had been in contact with you, they should be able to check, i'm sure theyd be interested if someone was pretending to be police just to scare you, or you'll find out it was legit so either way is a win

DowntownAbby · 17/12/2019 09:24

Have you told anyone else about your 'incident' yesterday and could they have got someone to call you as a wind up?

kalinkafoxtrot45 · 17/12/2019 09:25

I’d call the cops as well to check up. Either it was legit, or someone was abusing access to a database. I’d put money on the latter.

easyandy101 · 17/12/2019 09:25

Oz police are ime in general extra stupid so i couldn't give a sure answer.

Grin
Ohyesiam · 17/12/2019 09:26

Call the police station and ask them.

TreeTopTim · 17/12/2019 09:30

Sounds like her son or grandson or another male relative works for the police and they have phoned you but as it's not actually a police matter they can't officially do anything about it so that is why they mumbled.

I would do as others have suggested and contact your local police station and report it.

MrsCrabbyTree · 17/12/2019 09:32

Being able to access my phone number is most concerning. Everything else can be laughed off.

Not 100% sure of this but I believe if police access your details it leaves a record.

There is no police station at the suburb the caller told me he is from and my local station isnt answering.

OP posts:
easyandy101 · 17/12/2019 09:34

Not 100% sure of this but I believe if police access your details it leaves a record.

It does in the uk

IvinghoeBeacon · 17/12/2019 09:35

Certainly there will normally be a log of who has accessed a particular entry on a database

CarolinaPink · 17/12/2019 09:38

Another vote for a police officer/employee abusing the database. I’d ring to enquire if I were you.

MrsScrubbithatescleaning · 17/12/2019 09:42

I’d contact your local station and report it.
Do you have strict data processing laws like we have in the EU? If so, they’d have to investigate it further and check that someone wasn’t accessing your personal details for an unlawful purpose.

Comps83 · 17/12/2019 09:51

I’d go to the local station . Say you’re worried someone is impersonating a police officer . Pretty serious offence if so .

Then I’d go park there again if it wasn’t really the police which I very much doubt it was Grin

rhubarbcrumbles · 17/12/2019 10:06

I'd have a chat with the local police station, it does sound like somebody is misusing the database.

MrsCrabbyTree · 17/12/2019 10:12

Tomorrow I will visit my closest larger police station, rather than my small local one.

Thank you all for giving me the confidence to do so. Much better idea than what I was considering - going back and knocking on her
door !!

OP posts:
FraglesRock · 18/12/2019 18:07

Did you get any answers?

katkit · 18/12/2019 18:10

this is weird. Placemarking. I guess it must have been legit though, for them to have your number.

Finfintytint · 18/12/2019 18:18

Regarding the phone number- if you have ever made any call to the police before it’s very easy to find that number with basic research on police systems. If there is no offence to be investigated then the person calling is out of order and has no right to do so. Suspect someone is abusing their authority.

Rottnest · 20/12/2019 04:04

I am also in Aus, and have done exactly the same thing, often, quite normal in my city. As far as the phone call is concerned can you do a last number on your phone to get the phone number of the caller?.

Whenever I have dealt with police via phone, related to work, they have always been straightforward, no mumbling etc, forthcoming with rank name etc, etc. No cause for concern
If you are concerned I would def check the number with your local police station to verify this call. (maybe a database accessed improperly etc) Good luck op

Rottnest · 20/12/2019 04:08

Please do not go back and park there a you mentioned above, it won't do any good

MaitlandGirl · 20/12/2019 04:15

I’m in NSW - when you transfer a car into your name or renew your rego there’s a bit on the form the enter your mobile number.

Also, if you’re the registered owner of the car then your license will be linked to it with the RMS (NSW, but probably other states too) and if you’ve got the digital app your mobile number is on there.

Swipe left for the next trending thread