stranger danger!
 

So it was about this time last year when I had a scary incident with a sales? person. I was living on my own in my parents house Just turned 19, they had moved to Buffalo, NY for a year. Ford transfer. A gas guy (he claimed) came to the door and asked to see our gas bill. I didn't see any reason not to show him the bill, he did claim he was the gas guy. I closed my front door and went to go find it thinking there must be an error or something he needs to check and fix. He proceeds to OPEN the door and follow me inside, I then knew something was off. When you close the door someone should not follow you in. So I found the bill and he then decides to tell me he's with an alternate company and wants to show me how much he can save me by switching over. I'm frantically trying to call my parents witch are five hours away, instead of calling my aunt who lives three doors down. I was frantic and not thinking right. I told him we weren't interested and asked him for a card or identification so we could call him back if we changed our minds. He didn't have anything. I then asked him to leave and he did.
I was extremely lucky and I'm still not sure who he was and if he was valid, which I highly doubt, and how I got so lucky that I didn't get hurt or worse. I just wanted everyone to think twice about who they let in their homes, because you can never be too safe.

OMG, glad that you are okay. Did you report it to the police or anyone? I know you said that you don't know where he was from but maybe he has tried this with other people. Please, please listen to your inner voice!!! NO ONE who is not invited into your home should be in your home!!!

If anything like this should ever happen again, run out the back door and get help from someone. Never put yourself in a position like that again.

I don't mean to sound like the voice of doom, but as you said, you were lucky. He could have also come back later on. You just never know who or what people are! Glad you are okay and are able to be here to warn others.

Wow that is scary. Great reminder!!

Great reminder, thank you.
I always check before I open the door. I do get a lot of UPS deliveries , but for me it's always the 2 same guys so I know they are legit/

I think a gas or electric company or any company should have a uniformed employee and a visible identification card, if they don't I wont answer.

Again, thanks for the reminder. :) I am glad nothing bad happened to you.

I am glad that you are ok! I never let anyone I don't know in the house when I am home alone. The dogs are barking when someone knocks and I tell them I can't open the door bc they will attack!! When really Pixie and Daisy would attack them alright WITH KISSES!!!! lol They both love to meet new people.:eek:

That is a good reminder...glad you are ok. I ALWAYS make sure the glass door in front of the wood door is LOCKED at all times..that way when i open the wood door....the glass door is still locked and i always make people talk to me thru the glass. It may be a pain for them..but its safety for me and thats all i care about!

You are sooo lucky! My dh is a lockamaniac and drives me nuts w/all his locks for everything. We have had a few situations that have happened that have been pretty scary though. Our house is always locked all the time even when we are home, and even though we live outside of town. No one is safe these days.

We had gas guys show up in our neighborhood a few years ago for the same type of reason. They were in uniforms, id up the butt, so much id it was kinda spooky plus lots of good manners. They did turn out to be legit and all went well... and they stayed outside where they belonged. So glad you are OK!

you WERE Extremely lucky - this is something that happens more and more with lowlifes looking to rob you or worse. There is never a reason for someone to ask to see your bills

IF anything like that every happens you should always leave them outside with your door locked if you aren't 100% sure. The reports I've read tell you to call their companies to confirm it but sometimes you just can't - never ever let anyone in unless you requested a service call.

I had a service guy knock on my door the other night but had seen a crew when I walked my girls - they were checking to make sure the gas was working (oven) .....

I knew they were doing real jobs but I didn't let him in - I told him to wait and locked my door - checked my pilot light then went back to let him know it was working....

like I said - you were very lucky ....