AIBU?
To worry this is a scam?
BettyBotter · 08/05/2021 23:38
DM only told me this today, a week after the event.
One afternoon a woman knocked on the door of my parents (in their 80/90s). Dm opened the door and the woman walked straight inside past mum and said My hubby is being mean to me .
Dm assumed the woman was escaping a domestic violence situation and asked if she could help. The woman said she lived 2 streets away (in a very expensive street) and asked for wine. Mum said I can give you a cup of tea Woman asked if she had gin. Mum said she only had tea or coffee.
The woman then said Are you on your own? and mum said no. (true, dad was snoozing in front of the TV oblivious). At this point the woman said she had to go, turned and left.
Dm says the woman seemed mid fifties and fairly well turned out (which would fit with the pricey street she mentioned) and didn't appear drunk at all. On the face of it she was a (harmless alcoholic?) neighbour, but I'm really uncomfortable that she asked if mum was alone.
Of course Dm reacted like a true polite Brit and offered tea 
but we have now spoken to her seriously about not letting people in, chain on the door, telling person to leave and reporting dodgy people to police.
So, is this some kind of scam? Should we do anything now a week later in regards to reporting?
CatWillSaveMe · 08/05/2021 23:53
If your parents are in a well off area i would assume this was a way to look around the house to assess if it’s worth burgling. Sorry.
The woman had a brass neck for someone escaping domestic violence- asking for wine and gin! Nevermind walking straight in!
I’d be looking to install a bell with a camera and a few cameras outside as a deterrent tbh..
Awwlookatmybabyspider · 09/05/2021 00:00
Definitely sounds like a scam to me. Its funny she turned and left when she found out you weren't on your own. She doesn't seem very down trodden to me having the audacity to just walk into a strangers home not to mention asking for wine. She's either mentally unwell or a scammer.
memberofthewedding · 09/05/2021 02:14
Your parents need to be very careful as I have been targeted since I got older. I live alone in a nice suburban area and several years ago some youths tried t kick my door in. They didnt get in as I dont use that door and have a heavy piece of furniture behind it but it was a frightening experience.
I was visited by a crime prevention officer who advised me to answer by calling out through the door or from an upstairs window where I could see callers. If its someone who appears to be in some kind of emergency or distress I would offer to call the police or emergency service for them but not open the door. For anyone else I tell them its not convenient now as I have guests. This implies that there are other people inside and the caller does not know who it is or how many. I would never allow a stranger into my home without a male relative present and a prior appointment. I just tell them to write to me on their headed paper and apply for an appointment. Genuine callers who are from the council, social services or a trade body etc will understand and be happy with an appointment.
Ive now replaced the window opening with a discreet cctv camera mounted above the door so I can talk to callers even when Im not physically present. It means I can make a decision as to whether to respond at all judging by their appearance when someone knocks.
Annetisa17 · 09/05/2021 10:18
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BettyBotter · 09/05/2021 11:08
Thanks for the advice @memberofthewedding - your experience sounds terrifying. I'm so sorry. 
Everything you're saying is right and with hindsight dm knows she shouldn't have let the woman in but dm says it all happened in an instant. DM opened the door and woman just stepped past her into the house talking about hubby as she did. There was no invitation and as a small lady in her late 80s I don't think mum would have a chance of blocking the door once it was open.
We're working on getting them a doorbell camera system as we speak. (Now just have to persuade the parents who are not fans of technology or fuss that it's a good idea.) Knowing them they will just open the door anyway and offer the burglars extra sugar in their tea.
Thatisnotwhatisaid · 09/05/2021 11:56
I also advise they get a ring doorbell, that way they know whether it’s someone they should answer the door to or not. I’d be concerned about this, given the fact the woman left as soon as she informed her she wasn’t home alone... I’d also be concerned they were casing the house for a future burglary since it’s an affluent area.
Liliolla · 09/05/2021 13:01
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