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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Bulletproof vest knocking at door

6 replies

dairyfreequeenoh · 18/05/2026 19:10

We are currently having some renovations done on our house as we had a significant flood at home some months ago. Insurance job.

We are not staying at the house due to the nature and extent of the damage. Alternative accommodation paid by insurance. (Hoping this is relevant)

One Of our contractors messaged at 5pm to say a big guy in an unmarked van knocked on the door and asked if he lived at our house. Contractor said no and the guy walked away and sat in his car. Guy had a vest on and body cam. He left after 10 mins.

Im spiralling with panic at what the visit could be about. I have history of some really horrible incidents happening at home with break -ins and guns (not in the UK) which is obviously causing the heightened anxiety.

first though it baylifs however we don’t have any unpaid debt that we are aware of and no communication about this either. Second thought is insurance company checking we aren’t committing any fraud however the insurance company sent over various contractors to check the damage when it happened and they instructed their own contractors to remove all flooring etc so they are aware that the damage is legitimate.

the guy didn’t ask for any specific names and didn’t ask any further questions etc.

no cctv. Have logged with 101 and will call insurance company tomorrow but any suggestions on who else it could possibly be?

OP posts:
Elsvieta · 18/05/2026 19:24

How long have you been there? Something to do with a previous resident? Or maybe just some crook who's never lived there using a random address, which happens to be yours.

dairyfreequeenoh · 18/05/2026 20:56

@Elsvieta

we have been here for 10+ years and first owners of the house!

all very strange

OP posts:
TwoBlueFish · 18/05/2026 20:59

my first thought was bailiffs, maybe asking about a neighbour?

Serencwtch · 18/05/2026 21:08

Council?

Environmental health, trading standards, insurance company.

Alot of officials wear protective vests & bodyworn cameras. It's fairly standard for enforcement visits, especially a lone worker in a role that could be at risk of conflict.

WilfredsPies · 18/05/2026 21:11

A big guy in an unmarked van, a security vest and a body cam screams bailiff to me. They don’t go away if the person answering the door says they don’t live there though, not without proof that the person they’re looking for doesn’t live there too.

I wonder if he’s looking for confirmation that one of your neighbours lives next door?

SUperchange · 18/05/2026 21:18

Or maybe the debt collectors have the wrong address.

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