What would you do?

[debodun]

Your front doorbell rings. You are not dressed in a state to receive visitors and can't go to the door which has a glass window with a curtain over it, but you go to a place where you can peek to see who it is. It is a man you don't know and he has what looks like a manila folder in his hand. He doesn't wait very long. And leaves, but keeps looking back at the front door. He doesn't go to any other houses and walks around the corner to where you now assume he may have parked his car. 1) Who do you think this person is, and 2) what would you do if he returns?

 

[Paul Black]

Hi debodun,

There could be any number of reasons:

[1] The man has got the wrong address.
[2] He may not have a car.
[3] I assume there were no parking spaces outside your house. If there were, then he could be visiting people locally that all have something in common and parked somewhere central and walked to the other peoples houses.
[4] Are you expecting any salesmen or such like that you have forgotten about?
[5] Did he give you any reason to be concerned or worried?
[6] If he returns, you could have your mobile phone in your hand just in case and ask him who he is and what he wants through the door without opening it.

Just some examples.

I hope this helps!

 

[debodun]

To answer some of your questions:

I live on the busy main street of town and there are no pull-offs or driveways in front of the properties on my block, so I doubt he wanted to park there. Most people drive around to the nearest side street and park.

I watched him and he went to no other houses that I could see.

I am not expecting anyone.

I am always concerned when someone I don't know shows up. If he's a summons server, I can't imagine what it would be about.

 

[Paul Black]

Hi debodun,

How was he dressed?
Was he smartly dressed, casual, had on some sort of uniform etc?
To be honest, you are not going to know who he is or what he wants until he returns, if he ever does!
If he does return, then option [6] above might be worth considering if you are feeling anxious about this.

I hope this helps!

 

[debodun]

Casual - a dark blue windbreaker and a tan cloth pork pie hat.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

If I'm in bed, not dressed, or don't have my face on, I ignore the door. It's my home and my door so it's my choice what to do with them.

 

[file3456]

I have read a really great book written by a former CIA agent and he talks about escape & evasion, protecting yourself, etc. One thing that I took away from the book was that he says most crime happens at the front door. If you're not expecting anyone, it probably would be wise not to answer the door. He also talked about a scenario where a woman outside of a motel or hotel room was crying for help. The man opened the door and a couple thugs bum rushed him and killed him. Moral of the story: just cal 911. I also know of another scenario where two mafia punks dressed as police officers, rang the door bell and promptly unloaded the clip of a .380 into the man's skull.


I don't want to scare you or sound paranoid, but it really is true that most crime does happen at the front door. So just be weary. If it was two cops for example, you can just simply state you don't speak to the police. Of course if you see a cruiser out front then chances are they are real police officers. And of course you can check their credentials. There's acctully a way to spot a fake badge, too. The state seal will look different. I can't remember off hand how that was, but I just know that no manufacture is allowed to sell that state seal without proper letter head in a letter from the department. You simply can't buy this seal for a badge unless you are bona fide public safety. But I'm sure perhaps the criminal underground can or will figure out a way. But then again, most people don't know what to look for on a badge anyway and will accept any badge waved at them. Just like how woman get pulled over by a police officer impersonator.


If this envelop was really important, they'd mail it to you. If you live in a high crime area or suspect a criminal act, perhaps you should install a camera.

Anyway.... I ramble. LOL

 

[poorguy]

Everyone in my house is armed and that is the way all callers are greeted at any door.


Have you done anything illegal to where someone might be wanting to subpoena you or anyone in your house.


Perhaps it is just someone with the wrong address.


Bottom line I wouldn't be afraid at my own house.


I would have to confront the caller at the door and find out whats up and yes "Have Gun Will Travel".

 

[debodun]

Have you done anything illegal to where someone might be wanting to subpoena you or anyone in your house.

I have no idea what it would be. I'm just and old lady who minds her own business. Of course, people are lawsuit happy these days, so who knows?


BTW - he never came back.

 

[poorguy]

I have no idea what it would be. I'm just and old lady who minds her own business. Of course, people are lawsuit happy these days, so who knows?


BTW - he never came back.

It does seem as though everyone is trying to sell something or sue someone so yeah can't trust nobody anymore.



We have all kinds of porch traffic at any given time so we are always looking out for our neighbors as they are for us.


Can't be to safe these days as there are to many nuts and mental cases walking loose.

 

[iko22]

BTW - he never came back.

To me it just sounds like someone who doesnt know how to navigate with a SAT NAV. They'd lost their way, and realised their mistake by other descriptors that they'd been given.
But on the other hand I would not idley wait to find out. So I'd casually drop in a mention while talking to neighbours. Perhaps they would confirm or deny your thoughts and feelings about this matter, or perhaps they would bear the situation in mind should the encounter develop into something else at a later date.