Think cleaner may have stolen cash.....

[GingerDusk]

First time I have noticed/it has happened - relatively new cleaner (6 weeks ish) and first time I have used one, taken on via an agency to try and avoid issues like this! Anyway, £20 cash has gone missing from a purse kept in my bedside drawer. Just the thought of her looking through the drawer upsets me, let alone taking anything! Trouble is, I can't be absolutely 100% sure it is her - I have a 3yo who may (although v.unlikely) have taken it out and put it somewhere else. (i have asked her, she said no and isn't in the habit of lying!) Do I mention it? Get rid of her? Really feel worried about I but dh doesn't seem bothered - just said oh we'll, it'll either turn up or it won't....

Seems a bit too much of a coincidence. I'd be tempted to stash a tenner somewhere else and see if that goes missing, or just ask her outright but be prepared for her to walk out and never get an answer.

Either get rid of her, or put some small denomination money around the house deliberately and see what happens next.

Ask the agency to deal with it. Explain it as you have done here and let them sort it.

It may be your three year old playing games.
You'll have to test the cleaner as you need to be very certain before you accuse her of theft.

Has DH 'borrowed' it, as he doesn't seem bothered!

Talk to the agency.

Honest cleaners, and other people who work in homes, are often very annoyed if money is left lying around.

They feel that if it goes missing, they will be under suspicion.

They are also very aware of the old trick of leaving money out as a trap.

A dishonest person however will find hidden money, even if it is at the back of your underwear drawer, in an old handbag, in the airing cupboard, in a shoe, or in a tin in the kitchen cupboard. They know more hiding places than you do.

I reluctantly think you need a small cash-box, which you can screw to the floor of a cupboard out of sight, or even a small safe, screwed to the floor or wall. A determined thief can still break in, but the damage will be obvious.

Personally I have a small locking keysafe on the kitchen wall, where I also keep passports and credit cards. I seldom have wads of notes.

Yes, I think the best thing is to keep your cash safer or request a different cleaner from the agency.

Thanks all - although I feel 99% sure it wasn't dd, there is the slight element of doubt. And no, Woodenheart, it wouldn't have been dh - he would just tell me if it was him, as it's his 'spare cash' too and he knows it's there if needed! Going to see if anything happens again (but not deliberately try to trap) and if it does, she's gone and agency will be told why! Will also be taking the purse out of the drawer! If it was her, I feel more annoyed about the rifling around where she shouldn't be than the missing cash...

I would put more money there and not say anything. Make a note of what's in there. If you find money has gone again, then I'd call the police, never mind the agency.

Put a purse somewhere with a note inside saying 'HAH! CAUGHT YOU! YOU ARE BEING FILMED!'

Please get in touch with the agency, they will need to know they could be sending out a thief and then they can act accordingly, otherwise she may steal from other clients too!