18 May 2012

Beware the door knockers

| johnboy
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ACT Policing is warning residents in Canberra’s inner-north to be wary of people going door to door offering to do work and asking for cash payments.

Police are investigating a number of incidents which have occurred in Reid and Ainslie this month where residents have been approached by a man offering to paint their street number on the kerb outside their home.

This man on two occasions has been engaged to carry out the work and occupants have later discovered the theft of cash and/or wallets.

This man has been described to police as in his late 40’s, tall, solid build, no teeth, wearing plain clothes, possibly with light brown hair and wearing a cap.

Sergeant Sue Smith from ACT Policing’s Crime Prevention Team has warned residents not to let a person they don’t know into their home.

“Residents should talk with the person through the security screen door or open the door with the security chain still engaged.”

“If you are expecting a service repairman or similar, check their identification and if in doubt, call their head office to verify their details. It’s also important to use the number out of the phone book and not a phone number they provide to you,” Sergeant Smith said.

Anyone who observes suspicious activity in their neighbourhood should contact ACT Policing Operations on 131 444. For further tips on home security, visit the ACT Policing website at www.police.act.gov.au

[Courtesy ACT Policing]

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Yeah I’m sorry, but you don’t let randoms inside your house and turn your back on your wallet or valuables. Agree to the kerbside painting by all means, but say “you get started and I’ll bring out the $20”. Common sense!

Funny this has just arisen, only last week did a man with no teeth knock on our door in the tuggeranong area offering to paint it for $30 bucks. I said no and he kept on going to the next houses along. makes me think now i should of reported it.

I had a bloke with all his teeth offer the number painting service after Christmas. He seemed straight up, but I just thought that the price wasn’t good value for money. I think I might head to Bunnings on Sunday, get the materials and do it myself, if only to deter the toothless one.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd9:29 pm 18 May 12

I let a disabled guy do mine over 5 years ago. Did a good job, had a cart full of stencils and paint. Is fading a bit now and wish he came back. Was 20 dollars and well worth it.
Filth like this toothless pos ruin it for genuine guys doing a good service.

funbutalsoserious6:50 pm 18 May 12

I had the bloke at my place, at Narrabundah, about 3 months ago.
I smelt a rat as soon as I saw him and heard his story.
I told him no thanks, and I made sure I saw him leave.
I thought about reporting it to the police at the time as suspicious behaviour.
I wish I had of now.

In Farrer, this afternoon.

Police advised.

zorro29 said :

legal_chick86 said :

If someone wants to paint on the curb outside… he doesnt need to come into the house!! I dont even let the pizza guy inside my home!!

good point…how would he get their wallets??? no one should be in your house unless you know who they are or have arranged for them…safety people!!

but agree with everyone else…no teeth, creepy! clearly a trustworthy guy

Yeah agreed,

There was a guy doing this around my area a few months ago.

I got him to paint the number, checked the work and then paid him. I don’t know why anyone would let someone in their house or how he stole their wallets?

legal_chick86 said :

If someone wants to paint on the curb outside… he doesnt need to come into the house!! I dont even let the pizza guy inside my home!!

good point…how would he get their wallets??? no one should be in your house unless you know who they are or have arranged for them…safety people!!

but agree with everyone else…no teeth, creepy! clearly a trustworthy guy

TheDancingDjinn2:16 pm 18 May 12

TheDancingDjinn said :

Ben_Dover said :

The trouble is that these scum put off people from paying genuine guys, guys who are only trying to make a few bucks honestly.

There is a man in QBN where my mother lives who is from what i can tell, slightly intellectually disabled. He brings his paint and his stencils and does it for 10 bux – my mum lets him just because he is a guy on a pension just trying to get by. He does no harm, and is quite polite. People like this shithead in the OP make being nice to people hard.

Though from the description – it sounds like this guy i see walking with his junkie girlfriend every morning down David St in Turner toward the O’Connor shops every day.

had to fix my typos

TheDancingDjinn1:58 pm 18 May 12

Ben_Dover said :

The trouble is that these scum put off people from paying genuine guys, guys who are only trying to make a few bucks honestly.

There is a man in QBN where my mother lives who is from what i can tell, slightly intellctually disabled. He brings his paint and his stencils and does it for 10 bux – my mum lets him just because he is a guy on a pension just trying to get by. He does no harm, and is quite polite. People like this shithead in the OP make being nice to people hard.

Though from the description – it sounds like this guy i see walking with his junkie girlfriend every morning down David St in turner toward the o’conner shops every day.

The trouble is that these scum put off people from paying genuine guys, guys who are only trying to make a few bucks honestly.

This guy came to my house in Hackett about 3 months ago. Gave me some sob story about a sick daughter … blah blah, offering to do ‘touch up’ work on my kerb-number. Blind Freddy could have spotted this as a scam.

I think sometimes it’s old people who get sucked in, not because they can’t tell it’s a scam but because they probably fear saying ‘no’ would infuriate the scammer.

thy_dungeonman10:46 am 18 May 12

“I am the danger. A guy opens his door and gets shot, and you think that of me? No. I am the one who knocks!”

http://the-riotact.com/breaking-bad-canberra-style-as-meth-labs-return/73215

legal_chick8610:15 am 18 May 12

If someone wants to paint on the curb outside… he doesnt need to come into the house!! I dont even let the pizza guy inside my home!!

Muttsybignuts9:57 am 18 May 12

PugGirl said :

No teeth? Creepy.

Yeah, the rest of the description is forgettable but the “no teeth” bit certainly sticks out. I, for one, will not be opening the door to any toothless ruffians.

No teeth? Creepy.

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