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Woman Asks People Online If She’d Be A Jerk To Not Allow Previous Homeowners To Visit Her Home As They Are Complete Strangers To Her
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Woman Asks People Online If She’d Be A Jerk To Not Allow Previous Homeowners To Visit Her Home As They Are Complete Strangers To Her

Woman Asks People Online If She’d Be A Jerk To Not Allow Previous Homeowners To Visit Her Home As They Are Complete Strangers To HerWoman Wonders If It’d Be Unreasonable To Say ‘No’ To A Couple Of Total Strangers Who Want To Visit Her House Just Because Their Daughter Was Born ThereWoman Wonders If She’d Be A Jerk To Not Let Former Homeowners Visit Her House Because She Sees Them As Total StrangersWoman Asks Folks Online If She’d Be Unreasonable To Not Let Complete Strangers Into Her Home Because Their Daughter Was Born ThereWoman Gets A Note From Previous Owners Asking Her To Let Them Show The House To Their Daughter, Wonders If It’s A ScamWoman Finds A Note From Past House Owners Asking Her To Let Them Show Her House To Their Daughter Who Was Born There, Wonders If It’s A ShamWoman Asks People Online If She’d Be A Jerk To Not Allow Previous Homeowners To Visit Her Home As They Are Complete Strangers To HerWoman Asks People Online If She’d Be A Jerk To Not Allow Previous Homeowners To Visit Her Home As They Are Complete Strangers To HerWoman Asks People Online If She’d Be A Jerk To Not Allow Previous Homeowners To Visit Her Home As They Are Complete Strangers To HerWoman Asks People Online If She’d Be A Jerk To Not Allow Previous Homeowners To Visit Her Home As They Are Complete Strangers To Her
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It is a bit of a surreal experience to pass by the house, or even just the area, where you used to live. And the more time has passed, the stranger and more nostalgic it feels to revisit the place.

If that happens, nine times out of ten you’ll be thinking about whether you’d want to risk looking crazy or sounding like an absolute scammer by knocking on the door and asking its current inhabitants if they’d be all right with you coming in to reminisce about a time long gone and to tell them how you gave your younger sibling a noogy by the fireplace.

And we all know you’re not crazy. But the person whose door you’ll be knocking on (and subsequently the person who will have to listen to your sibling-bullying tactics) will also be the most skeptical of your intentions. And you can’t blame them. They’re just being careful.

Well, a woman recently found herself on the receiving end of this situation (of being asked to let someone in, not to get a noogy), and was wondering online if she’d be unreasonable to decline such an offer.

More Info: Mumsnet

RELATED:

    It’s surreal to revisit a place you used to live at, but it’s completely sus if a complete stranger ends up on your doorstep sharing this feeling and wanting to come in

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    Image credits: ironypoisoning

    Mumsnet user NoGoAway (seemingly foreshadowing her own opinions and intentions on the story you’re about to read) recently turned to the online community seeking advice.

    The woman was returning home when she found a note from a stranger. The stranger claimed they used to live in the very house she is in now. Incidentally, that was also where their daughter was born, leading to a modest request—they wanted to come over and show the daughter where she used to live.

    Apparently, they weren’t from the area anymore, but they were staying not too far off for a couple of days. They also disclosed when they used to live here and provided a phone number so that the current inhabitants could get in touch with them.

    One woman recently kinda sorta had that experience, and was wondering if it’s a scam she’s not aware of and what she ought to do

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    Image credits: NoGoAway

    Image credits: Heather Katsoulis

    The OP was skeptical about this. Her initial reaction was to ignore it. But then intrusive thoughts came along that it was probably a scam. But it all seemed so genuine. But, regardless, she didn’t want them in her house.

    One call attempt later, she couldn’t reach them just to tell them it’s a “no” and there was no way to leave a message. All of this got her thinking if this is a scam that she’s not aware of, or if she is overthinking it. The question eventually found its way onto Mumsnet, a forum dedicated to moms in the UK.

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    Image credits: NoGoAway

    Image credits: Mac McCreery

    And folks, for the most part, thought that this sounds genuine and not at all like a scam. Though everyone had their own opinions on whether the OP should allow strangers into her home, with some saying it’s harmless, others saying they aren’t obligated to do so, and yet others straight up noping this whole deal because you gotta be careful these days.

    Most ruled that at face value, it seemed harmless. Asking someone to enter a home because they used to live there is not really a thing among scammers because it can very easily turn back on them—the current homeowner can ask questions about the home that only folks who lived there would know and put them on the spot.

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    Folks online thought this whole situation sounded genuine, but others were skeptical and suggested approaching it more carefully

    According to Age UK, the most common doorstep scams involve rogue trading, bogus officials, fake charities, made-up consumer surveys, and hard luck stories. These scams prove to be more effective as the results are easier to achieve, whether it’s your money or identity that they’re trying to get a hold of.

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    But, since shady people are always trying to one-up their game, you can never be too careful about it, so caution is advised. Besides simply noping out of that situation by closing the door, you can also assume a bit more civilized approach like setting up a password with your utilities company. This way, when their specialists come in for an inspection, you could easily verify it with the secret code. Besides, companies call and set up a meeting before they come without asking you for your address, so that’s a form of verification in and of itself.

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    On top of that, legit charities, traders, and other officials will back off if they see a note saying no soliciting and the like. Not only because in some places it’s backed up by law, but also because they can’t risk damaging the reputation of the organization that they’re representing. So that should filter out the folks who are up to no good.

    The story has managed to get a modest amount of attention online, and has been picked up by a few websites and news outlets. You can check out the story in context here.

    But don’t go away just yet as we’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Do you think this is a scam? Do you have your own stories to share? Any tips on how to stay safe in a situation like this? Let us know in the comment section below!

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    Robertas Lisickis

    Robertas Lisickis

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

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    Robertas Lisickis

    Robertas Lisickis

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

    Read less »

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

    What do you think ?
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    POST
    Roddfergg
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would have said it is up to you, but you're in no obligation to let them in. When they gave you a bad phone number though, at that point I would say absolutely don't let them in.

    Lily bloom
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah the bad number would have me suspicious. They could have been casing the place and left the note as a cover for why they were really there if anyone questioned them. Knowing a span of years the current owners likely didn't live there is easy to guess with a simple search online.

    Load More Replies...
    ADHORTATOR
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We bought our house 20 years ago, last year one of the daughters of the previous owners called us and asked if she could show the house to her own daughter, especially the garden where she used to play with her sister.... no big deal, sure! We spent a very nice afternoon with her :-)

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We had a similar experience when the former owners died. Some of the children asked to visit the house, and it was a lovely time. Rather emotional for them. Classic old joke about this situation - "Today on a drive, I decided to go visit my childhood home. I asked the people living there if I could come inside because I was feeling nostalgic, but they refused and slammed the door in my face. My parents are the worst."

    Load More Replies...
    BadCat
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've lived in a lot of placed growing up. My mom has shown me the neighbourhoods she lived in when she was growing up and drove by her childhood home. But never have we thought it be appropriate to intrude on the people residing. These are homes. Not museums. Plus, house interiors get renovated so much, you're not going to see your furniture, so it's highly likely you're not going to get a good nostalgia feeling that you think you will. And depending on the tenancy laws where you live, you need to watch who you invite into your home. It can be harder to get them to leave if they refuse. They could be scoping out houses to rob, too. That's happened to me after an open house week. What me and my mom do is take photos of the homes we live in, both interior and exterior to look back on when we want. There's also Google Maps.

    Lily bloom
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tenancy laws? For inviting someone into your house for a few minutes? It didn't sound like the people wanted to stay over, just look around.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    Roddfergg
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would have said it is up to you, but you're in no obligation to let them in. When they gave you a bad phone number though, at that point I would say absolutely don't let them in.

    Lily bloom
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah the bad number would have me suspicious. They could have been casing the place and left the note as a cover for why they were really there if anyone questioned them. Knowing a span of years the current owners likely didn't live there is easy to guess with a simple search online.

    Load More Replies...
    ADHORTATOR
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We bought our house 20 years ago, last year one of the daughters of the previous owners called us and asked if she could show the house to her own daughter, especially the garden where she used to play with her sister.... no big deal, sure! We spent a very nice afternoon with her :-)

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We had a similar experience when the former owners died. Some of the children asked to visit the house, and it was a lovely time. Rather emotional for them. Classic old joke about this situation - "Today on a drive, I decided to go visit my childhood home. I asked the people living there if I could come inside because I was feeling nostalgic, but they refused and slammed the door in my face. My parents are the worst."

    Load More Replies...
    BadCat
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've lived in a lot of placed growing up. My mom has shown me the neighbourhoods she lived in when she was growing up and drove by her childhood home. But never have we thought it be appropriate to intrude on the people residing. These are homes. Not museums. Plus, house interiors get renovated so much, you're not going to see your furniture, so it's highly likely you're not going to get a good nostalgia feeling that you think you will. And depending on the tenancy laws where you live, you need to watch who you invite into your home. It can be harder to get them to leave if they refuse. They could be scoping out houses to rob, too. That's happened to me after an open house week. What me and my mom do is take photos of the homes we live in, both interior and exterior to look back on when we want. There's also Google Maps.

    Lily bloom
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tenancy laws? For inviting someone into your house for a few minutes? It didn't sound like the people wanted to stay over, just look around.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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