AIBU not to pay this? WWYD?

[InALonelyWorld]

I just want to know if IABU here or what i should do.

I have come home from work today to a note from a gardener saying I owe them £10 for de-weeding my garden. To note my garden is mainly paving slabs/stones so there isnt much weeding that needs done in the first place so not sure how it would even be £10. However, this isnt a service i arranged, I do not know this person and I obviously was not around at home to speak to them or even give permission for them to do anything with my garden but they have gone and done it anyways.

I am a lone parent household and am now worried I will be pestered by this stranger for this money i apparently owe. I do admit I may be overreacting here, but i, like many people, am financially strained at the moment. I was recently burgled which added to my financial issues and has probably made me quite sensitive to receiving this note.

My goodness I don’t know how people survive in this world. You just ignore. It’s a tenner he’s not gonna chase you for anything he’s trying his luck. Perhaps he got the wrong house. And if he does come knocking when he produces the proof that you ordered a weeding service then you will pay.

You can report to the police online. This is what I would do, it sounds very dodgy to me and I would think that some vulnerable people would pay up and it could escalate.

This ‘gardener’ sounds a bit of a chancer……..goes around looking for work, knocks on doors, no one around, does the job and claims the payment. CF springs to mind. Don’t be intimidated but be firm, you didn’t ask for the work to be done and you are not prepared to pay.

They could have come to the wrong address by accident.

If you have an abusive ex, tell the guards. Abusive ex's have been known to do different things to start up contact again

Thanks everyone for your advice. I dont think I will report it to the police yet unless someone starts knocking at the door. I am being supported by victim support due to the burglary so I will mention it to them just to get some advice. I wont lie and say it hasn't set me off on a spiral after recent events but I do realise this may be irrational feelings linked to the previous incident. Beforehand I likely would have just binned it.

To answer a couple of questions:
yes the note included a mobile number and a first name.
It was my front garden, which is visible to anyone passing due to a small gate & fence. I will make sure to buy an extra camera to cover the garden now, I was provided a dummy by the police and do have one the other way but seems the front way now needs covered too.
I will also keep the note just incase anything further comes of this, so I have evidence.

I do hope it's a wrong address like many are suggesting or a poorly worded advertisement for potential work wanting done. I think i am just still very fragile at the moment.

No way would I pay. Ignore. Maybe it’s a mistake?

Could be kids trying it on for a few easy £s. They print out 50, put them in local houses and see if anyone takes the bait

It's probably worth the hours work it'd take if they even get a couple of suckers takers

Id ignore the note and if he comes back id say sorry you must have the wrong house i havent hired a gardener to do anything and wont be paying for a service i didnt contract for.

Call the number, explain that you have not contracted their services and have no idea why they have weeded your garden (poorly by all accounts) and let them know you will not be paying

I don't think I'd do this. For a start it gives a (potentially nuisance) stranger your phone number.

Personally I would ignore it. But, as you feel vulnerable, I would consider calling the police, @InALonelyWorld . They probably wouldn't take any action, but it logs the incident (just in case there is any follow-up).

I wouldn't be paying a penny. Cheeky sod!!

Definitely don’t text them as they would then have your mobile number. Speak to victim support about this and see what they say. Ring camera and keep the note in case police need it.

Nothing the OP said constitutes evidence of a crime.

I’ve heard of this scam before with random gardening .

I think ignore as if you engage they will start asking for more . But in light of your recent burglary I’d perhaps speak to the police. You must feel really vulnerable OP so do you have RL support?

Sounds like you're well on top of this, OP. Could you text your victim support contact?Then you would have peace of mind that you have flagged it just in case there's some follow up, although that does sound unlikely.

I’d mention it on the local community page too, you might find others have been targeted so at least you know it isn’t personal. Definitely get a Ring.

I would let the local police station know. Scam artists often target lots if people on the hope a few will take the bait and some won't be savvy enough to refuse.
I would also tell the police you have not 'employed' these people so will not be paying, just incase they turn up and threaten to call the police, you already having spoken to them will call them out.
Do NOT call the number as they will then have yours (unless you know how to block them seeing your number )

I would hang on to the note just in case, but don't respond.

Contact the police. Give them the note after taking a photo of it. Do not pay the money and do not contact the number.

On the basis that you didn’t ask them to do this work, ignore. If they come back, tell them you’re going to report them for trespassing.

More likely have to file online certainly Kent Police do

I'd assume it's been put through the wrong door. Sounds like a teenager has been doing odd jobs? No adult is going to be charging £10 regardless of how quick a job it was.