Somebody stole my garbage

[milee]

Unless there's a reason that someone would be investigating you (PI is much more likely than FBI unless there's something you haven't been telling us), than your first guess of people looking for receipts for identity and cc theft is probably correct.

You can definitely put a freeze on your credit accounts. You can also get online and start monitoring new charges to your ccs daily so you can spot new unauthorized charges.

Not sure I'd worry too much about break ins being related to investigation or ID theft, but it couldn't hurt to just make sure things are locked.

[milee]

You can get a freeze on your credit accounts by googling the big 3 (Transunion, Experian and Equifax) + "freeze" and following the instructions. That makes it much harder for people to open any new accounts or take out loans using your credit information. But it also makes it harder for you to complete those things as well, so if you're thinking about financing a house, car, etc. or opening any new cards, beware that will now take much longer.

I understood your concern about theft from your first post, but in my experience burglars don't tend to be that sophisticated. If they thought you were receiving a lot of presents, they'd be more likely to just wait until you are gone and break in rather than rummage through trash to see what's in the boxes. It's not absolute or anything, but it just seems criminals are of different types and the burglar types aren't the same types as the ones who rummage trash and plan things out.  Two major exceptions here - if you're rich enough that you have professionals casing the area, you're in trouble because high end thieves do rummage trash. The other exception is if this is a neighbor who's seen and coveted your stuff but isn't normally a thief or is just starting to steal.  A neighbor very well might be trying to figure out what's in all those boxes before taking the next step to steal it...

Does Jordan's family live close enough that anyone from that house would have seen the deliveries, for example?

[milee]

If the packing lists weren't in the garbage and you're worried it's a neighbor thinking of robbing you, I'd get started ASAP with the disinformation program. Start talking to all the neighbors about all the wonderful books you've gotten your family and how much they love reading. Go on and on about that to whoever you think is interested in the packages. Thieves want electronics, not books.

And, just another YM kind of thought, but if things are regularly stolen in that neighborhood, might be time to think about moving. Why live like that? Plenty of safer 'hoods out there.  Just sayin.

[milee]

Dec 17, 2013 7:00:23 GMT -5 @wrongsideof30 said:

Dec 17, 2013 6:29:27 GMT -5 milee said:

Does Jordan's family live close enough that anyone from that house would have seen the deliveries, for example?

They do and, ironically, the mom sent me a friend request through fb last night.

Suspicious and perfect all in one. Accept her friend request and start telling her about all the "books" you just bought.

[milee]

Dec 17, 2013 7:02:37 GMT -5 @wrongsideof30 said:

Dec 17, 2013 6:31:10 GMT -5 milee said:

And, just another YM kind of thought, but if things are regularly stolen in that neighborhood, might be time to think about moving. Why live like that?

Because dh just finished school and has been applying for other jobs so we weren't sure where we should move. (We also started having marriage problems.)

Makes complete sense.  If you're not ready to talk about that, let me know and I'll delete both that first post and this one so you don't need to respond to it.

[Deleted]

Dec 17, 2013 7:02:37 GMT -5 @wrongsideof30 said:

Dec 17, 2013 6:31:10 GMT -5 milee said:

And, just another YM kind of thought, but if things are regularly stolen in that neighborhood, might be time to think about moving. Why live like that?

Because dh just finished school and has been applying for other jobs so we weren't sure where we should move. (We also started having marriage problems.)

[zibazinski]

What are you going to do about it ? I'd let Jordan's mom know that there are identity thieves in the neighborhood and they are stealing garbage in hopes of getting info to use. Then I'd freeze my accounts big time and even talk to banks about new CC numbers.

[Deleted]

are you routinely putting stuff in your trash that could be used to steal your identity?  if so, maybe you should start shredding it.  also, why are you putting boxes in your trash and not recycling them?  you can put a fraud alert on your accounts.

[busymom]

We've got a shredder in our livingroom (I know, weird) close to where we open our mail. We have a healthy dose of paranoia after someone starting stealing out of local mailboxes. (Didn't affect us, since we've always taken our outgoing mail to the post office.) Any garbage that has our name, address, or anything personal goes through the shredder.

[Deleted]

Do you have a alarm system in your home? I think you really should invest in one if you don't. If nothing else the loud noise would be enough to scare the potential thieves I think.
I would also invest in a shredder. I always either rip things into a million pieces or shred them and even then I am paranoid that someone will put them together like a puzzle (i may be watching too many movies).

[moneymaven]

Beside fraud alert, you need to get a shredder, block the crazy person on FB and let the police know. If something does happen, you want a trail of documentation. Stealing trash is still stealing.

What a strange thing. Sorry this happened to you!

[milee]

Don't block the crazy person on FB until you have a chance to use FB for your misinformation campaign. After all, you want her to know about all the "books" you bought your family, how the police are investigating the "refuse tampering", how the police are planning additional patrols in the area and the "alarm system" that you're putting in.

[Deleted]

and how you gave the police a list of people you suspect

[moneymaven]

Why engage with a crazy person? I totally disagree with that tactic.

[milee]

Dec 17, 2013 10:21:12 GMT -5 moneymaven said:

Why engage with a crazy person? I totally disagree with that tactic.

Because this is a way to communicate the info without having to engage with her. Wrongsideof30 will simply be "sharing" her latest news to the general public on FB (which the crazy lady will then see because wrongsideof30 already friended her.)

[moneymaven]

Trust your instincts and write down anything suspicious. Take pictures with your phone. Not to scare you, but this sounds exactly like when my sister was robbed.

[milee]

You are overreacting with the freaking out thing.

You aren't overreacting with the part about assessing the situation and taking reasonable steps to prevent problems.

Make yourself a list of things to do - credit freeze, etc. and just start doing them. Don't spend any more emotional energy on this because you're doing what you can.  Also, to the extent that you can, if you have a predictable 3-4 hour window that your house is at risk, why don't you take the higher value stuff with you to work? It's a PITA to drag it around, but you'd know it's safe that way for a few days until you calm down and have your list in place.

[NastyWoman]

Get some kind of etching tool (electric and put your son(s) name(s) on the play station. Then follow Milee's strategy and talk in general about how you found this great way to prevent your kids toys getting lost/ fighting over who which toy belongs too, etc.

If this is jordan's mom doing this she'll know that stealing the toys won't work. Or you could also just say that you are doing so without going to the actual trouble of following through

[Deleted]

My wife would love to have her garbage disappear. In fact she nags me all the time to make that happen.

[mmhmm]

I don't think you're overreacting, at all.  If you don't shred mail that contains credit card offers, or receipts that might have your credit card number on them, or other paperwork that contains personal information about you and your family, any of that could have been in your garbage.  This theft could have been to get information for credit card fraud, or it could have been to see what you've gotten that might be worth stealing.  Glad your husband is filing a police report.  Get a shredder and use it!  They're not expensive!  Call your credit card companies and let them know what's happened.  Get them to shut down your current cards and issue new ones.  Put a freeze on your credit through the credit agencies.  I'd do that immediately!

[greeniis10]

No, you aren't overreacting.  The timing of everything is too suspicious.  If it's possible for you to leave work and go home today I'd do that.  Even if it just means moving or hiding all the gifts you bought.  There's no sense taking chances when you have all these warning signs.  Sure hope everything turns out ok!

[moneymaven]

Dec 17, 2013 11:36:57 GMT -5 greeniis10 said:

No, you aren't overreacting.  The timing of everything is too suspicious.  If it's possible for you to leave work and go home today I'd do that.  Even if it just means moving or hiding all the gifts you bought.  There's no sense taking chances when you have all these warning signs.  Sure hope everything turns out ok!

Don't go alone. It would be terrible to have things stolen but may end badly if you surprise a burglar in your home.

Try to remember that things are things but your and your family's personal safety far exceed the value of things.

Have your husband there or better yet, your BIL the officer.

If you have heirloom jewelry or things like that that are small and can be carried with you, I'd take them. I wouldn't keep toys and stuff in your car.

[greeniis10]

I'm sorry you are dealing with all this right now!  And I don't mean to make it worse, but DO take whatever precautions you can today because stuff only seems like "stuff" until it is taken from you.  Yes, it IS just material and can be replaced but there's more value to your possessions and privacy than we initially know.  Sending good vibes and positive thoughts your way!

[alabamagal]

After reading the garage thread on the main board, I thought someone stole your garage.

[Deleted]

"If you don't shred mail that contains credit card offers, or receipts that might have your credit card number on them, or other paperwork that contains personal information about you and your family, any of that could have been in your garbage. "

I don't think they can do anything with credit card offers because they need your social security number to be able to apply. And if they have your SSN, then they don't need a credit card offer in your name to put it to bad use. I don't think receipt contain full credit card numbers anymore. However, if you have deposit slips, credit card statements, bank statements that come to the house, those would have valuable information.

I don't think you are overreacting. So is the trash missing with the trash can? Is it at all possible that wind knocked it down and it is by somebody else's house?

[mmhmm]

Dec 17, 2013 13:16:28 GMT -5 @wrongsideof30 said:

Ok, after searching online, I found a message board that had a lady freaking out because her garbage was stolen. After a few posts, she mentioned that she has applied for a Federal Gov job that dh has applied and tested for. Is there any chance that this was part of a background check?

*blink*  Gosh, I hope not!  If the government wants to search through my garbage because I've applied for a government position, that's fine.  I've got no problem with that.  However, I'd like them to notify me after they've picked up the garbage so I know what happened to it.

Frankly, I think the government probably has better ways to research possible future employees, but I guess it's a remote possibility.

[Deleted]

wrongside, I was about to post wondering if it had to do with your DH's job application, but you beat me to it. 

[The Captain]

Please keep us posted on this.  I have a few relatives who've had to get clearance but neither one of them mentioned getting their garbage taken.

[Deleted]

Stupid question but can it be the garbage company? I ask because at one point in my old city, some people on the same street had a different company for garbage removal.

[NancysSummerSip]

Dec 17, 2013 13:16:28 GMT -5 @wrongsideof30 said:

Ok, after searching online, I found a message board that had a lady freaking out because her garbage was stolen. After a few posts, she mentioned that she has applied for a Federal Gov job that dh has applied and tested for. Is there any chance that this was part of a background check?

Are you freaking kidding me? No one in their right mind does a background check on you by searching your trash. Anything anyone wants or needs to know about you is much easier to find out online.

ETA: I have family members with extremely high government clearances. Not once has anyone ever had their trash confiscated. Other family members have been contacted and questioned, but nothing of theirs taken. Ever.