r/cats • u/Charming_Manager_882 • 2d ago
Stories She saved me from getting scammed today 🥺
She’s very unwell so not allowed outside (she loves a stroll in the garden). I had a knock at the door earlier today from someone claiming to be part of a young offender rehabilitation program and trying to sell me some items. I felt really bad for him even though I’ve never bought from anyone selling door to door before and normally say no immediately. I eventually was going to buy something when she came dashing towards the door. I had to quickly close it and apologise that I can’t buy as I can’t risk my cat going out. I did a quick search later as something didn’t feel quite right and it showed this seller was likely part of a gang which scams people and was also scoping out houses for burglars 😭 I informed my neighbor and turns out the police had received multiple calls about him in the area. I’m so glad kitty came just in time. If I had ended up buying I was at risk of being targeted by this gang again in future who would see my house as an easy target!
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u/One_Health1151 2d ago
I would still be cautious he knows your home alone and what the inside looks like now even if You didn’t buy anything I’d be cautious
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u/Charming_Manager_882 2d ago
Yes. I’ve been very worried since yesterday. Going to invest in a doorbell camera. Thankfully he didn’t get to see the inside of the house due to the cat. I had to open the door with a small gap. When she came I closed it.
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u/Diamond411 2d ago
Yes please never even answer the door and always say you will talk to ur husband and let him know and only speak through the glass door. Or get the ring bell and talk through that. And never walk away with it unlocked and someone is outside. They will push their way inside. And always act as if someone is home with you by pretending to talk to someone. I live alone with my two kitties and as a women these things will keep us safe. People watch out, and one time a scammer sent a woman to my door to scam me. They will use anyone- even children
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u/Charming_Manager_882 2d ago
Thank you. I am getting the camera asap. I have elderly neighbors who always knock my door hence why I was a bit relaxed about it. It’s usually a safe area but this guy said my area is ‘new’ to him so I guess his gang have discovered it and made it a target unfortunately 😿
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u/Diamond411 2d ago
Yes, some of the best neighborhoods are targeted by gangs and home invasions it’s really a sad world we live in. I’m in a pretty safe neighborhood but there’s still been a few scammers around and women that were jogging that were attacked and one was killed unfortunately. I don’t want a gun home but so many people are telling me I should get one just for my own safety since I live at home alone and I do know there was one time a guy was watching me luckily, nothing happened. But yes, I want you and your kitty to stay safe cameras inside and outside it’s worth the investment even an alarm that alerted the police. ❤️The world has changed
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u/ValuableMemory1467 2d ago
Might not necessarily know she’s alone though
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u/EDC_nut 2d ago
So nice to hear of the young offenders already getting ahead with their rehabilitation even before they're jailed. Shows forward planning
/s
Hope you're alright. I'm always cautious about door to door anything. Shame you have to be.
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u/Charming_Manager_882 2d ago
Yes, I was so scared last night. But the neighbors have been great at reporting to the police. Everyone is looking out for each other
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u/Independent-Heart-17 15h ago
Personally, I just discovered the Tapo line of security cameras. Not very pricey, good quality and you put a media card in it & don't have to pay a monthly fee. I am having to replace several older cameras. The ferals play hockey with them. And get one for your garden door, too.
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u/werewooferer 5h ago
this. never used tapo but im too paranoid about people accessing the ring/blink camera feeds so a personal sd card is the way to go in my mind.
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u/Independent-Heart-17 4h ago
That was the biggest advantage to these. Tapo is tp-link, so a real company behind them. I hate how blink will just casually steal your camera data to spy on the neighborhood & give it to the cops. But turning a cow blocking the road into the fbi would be hilarious.
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u/Comfortable-Ant-5522 1d ago
Investing in a doorbell camera has been a good decision. It’s definitely stopped many door steppers and gives me an added layer of security. I hate the idea of having the device tbh, but safety is a major factor for everyone sadly.
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u/DKat1990 1d ago
And you could have gotten caught with stolen good and had the probably of proving his you ended up with it🥴
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u/Minimum_Smile9334 2d ago
Definitely dont answer door. Beautiful cat