I apparently have the look of a someone who could be scammed.

I doubt that! You were likely an "easy mark" because you were outside and, being up a ladder, fairly captive and highly accessible. Is there any way you can speak with the neighbors she claimed to be staying with? (Or was she not specific about the address?)

It definitely sounds like her motives are questionable, and you were right to listen to your instincts and hold her at arm's length. You were also right to inform the authorities. She is likely "working her angle" all around town.

Maybe she was keeping you occupied in front with her small talk while someone else was out back casing the joint. You were right to report her.

Sherrmann makes a good point. That happened to my dad. One person came to the front door (can't remember their excuse), while another apparently made his way to the utility room and emptied their freezer and also took some lawn equipment. Dad never saw the 2nd person - it was a young woman who came to the front door.

We are rural and it's extremely rare to have someone come to the door like that. On the occasions someone has - I handle it much like you did the second time.

Look around your place and make sure nothing is missing. Do you live alone? If so, I hope you didn't make that known to her. I'm sorry you had to deal with this!

tina

She also could have been checking to see if anyone was home; burglars often ring a doorbell before attempting entry.

Her behavior is suspicious. The police will use your info to match with other reported incidents throughout your region, not just your small town. They need this kind of info to be proactive. I always told those who didn't report small thefts or vandalism that if they didn't report it, it didn't happen as far as the police knew.

I wouldn't call it a scam, I'd call it being a potential victim of something, either by violence or robbery. I think if you were going to be scammed she would have brought up the subject of her scam.

I got chills reading that she came back the next day wanting to use your IRON. I mean, that freaked me out!

My advice to you is to take extra extra precaution for the next couple of weeks. If you're alone, cease all work outside for now except to go to your car, and only then look both ways and look some more. She may have already picked up that you're by yourself.

Keep all doors and windows locked. Get a baseball bat or a gun out to protect yourself.

And most of all, alert your neighbors on all sides of you! Ask them if they'd seen her before and ask them to keep an eye on your house even when you're home.

Sorry to be so paranoid but you can't trust people anymore. Bad bad crimes are moving to small towns from outsiders. One crime happened a mile from our house and it ended up being a movie!

Keep checking in with us.

There are some great points here. Please make sure your home is well lit at night and looks occupied during the day even when you're away - leave a radio on, a flickering tv, lights on dimmers etc. Definitely alert your neighbors too.

This was happening in my town - while the homeowner was occupied in the front yard talking someone else went in through the rear and stole anything small of value. In one case the homeowner was a senior citizen and was raking leaves when a man in a while utility van pulled up and told him that he was from the utility company and that they were going to trim trees in the back yard. He offered to show him which trees and while they were in the rear another fellow loaded items into the van.

Our police dept sends us frequent emails listing incidents that have occurred in town. One report was of a young woman in her 20's knocking on front doors and asking if anyone had seen her dog. There were 2 houses were no one answered the door and they were broken into.

We also get recorded phone calls if it's something more serious - a missing child etc.

Be alert. And call the police back to see if anyone else has reported this.

Maire, I thought about the girl having someone with her to rob while she chatted, but when she came back wanting to use an iron, that's when my hair's stood up.

An iron is a dangerous weapon.

Gives me the willies! You should definitely be suspicious. As others have said, remain cautious~keep your porch lights, back light, and a small dim lamp on thru the night, even if that's not usual for you. Change your routine just in case you are being watched. Check with the police department to find out when/how often they patrol your neighborhood.

If possible, adopt a dog! My boy is my house alarm and I don't have a monthly charge and feel very safe. ;o)

Or borrow a neighbor's or friend's BIG dog for a (several nights) sleep-over.

Fortunately, I own the biggest, loudest dog in the neighborhood. And I made sure the fence gate was secure.

Do you have a Crimewatch in your neighborhood? Definitely talk to them.

You may want to file a police report. They always tell us to report suspicious activity, and the police *will* check it out. At the very least they can start a file on it. The major complaint our Crimewatch captain has is that people see suspicious activity and never call it in to report it.

Graywings, whewwwww, that should make you feel safer! Made me feel safer for you. ;o)

What did the police say when you called? You have every right to say you're concerned for your *own* safety, not just other folks in the city.

Someone who comes up and talks to you when you're on a ladder for a long time is clearly someone who doesn't get or is testing boundaries.

This happened to annT on the cooking forum a year or two ago. It was really frightening. I can't remember all the specifics but I do remember her telling the story of the breakin.

Please do take extra care...and a dog can be poisoned etc and is not a real deterrent...c

graywings, how are you doing? I'm thinking of you.

I'm fine, thanks for asking. The woman hasn't reappeared. I think she was passing through town and I was a target of opportunity, as someone mentioned.