Worrying ad response/poss dog theif pls read

SaharaS

SaharaS

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Just a cautionary post as am rather alarmed by a call i had today in response to an ad..you'll notice I've changed my profile pic as its worried me so much. I had advertised a garden object on preloved(not an animal). I apologise for sounding vague, but you never know who reads things.

A man called and was slightly odd-you know when too much info is sometimes unnecessarily given he suddenly blurted out, he "wasn't a traveller or anything." (v odd, I don't assume anyone is tbh!) My dog barked & he said oh he sounds vicious(it was only a play with me bark)he suddenly started telling me about his dogs but kept getting the breeds wrong(like he was trying to figure my dogs breed out) I really need to sell the object, so I listened & tried to be polite but not give much info. he intends to call at weekend to arrange to view item next week and I said pls do not bring your dogs.He suddenly stifled a laugh & said oh don't worry he won't be with you by next weekend.I pretended not to hear & cut the call short by making my other phone ring. I am deeply concerned that he was connected with stealing dogs or worse dog fighting. I'm terrifed that he will be able to use the internet to get more details from my mobile number given in the add-you just don't know what people can find out. feeling very worried in general..and if this is a way these awful people do their thing I just wanted to make you aware...forewarned is forarmed and all that...and don't worry i have no intention of willingly giving my address& will tell him the item has sold...just hoping that the website doesn't reveal more info accidentally or that he hasn't already figured it out( they say details not shared, but you never know who reads them/works there/can gain access) ...maybe this sounds paranoid, but its made me feel incredibly uncomfortable since he rang...:confused:
 
I must admit it would have my alarm bells ringing, but I would be thinking he was after stealing the garden object and was fishing to see whether you had a fierce dog about the place.
 
sounds very odd to me, maybe he just has a strange sense of humour or something. at least you hadn't given your address at that point. Have you googled your own number to see what it throws up. Might put your mind at rest a bit.
 
''he wont be with you by next weekend''?? I would be seriously alarmed by this, is that definately what he said!?
 
Vizslak said:
''he wont be with you by next weekend''?? I would be seriously alarmed by this, is that definately what he said!?
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Word for word..there was absolutely no way I miss heard..the garden object would need a few hours to dismantle so theoretically not possible as I'm always home. I'm very particular & irritating when it comes to little details & odd useless info...and even putting my sceptical non paranoid sensible head on,he was definitely fishing for info- the irrellevant & excessive mentioning of his dogs but contradicting himself seconds later-couldn't decide what breed he had & was trying to get me to say from the bark moment what breed he was.He said he had 2 dogs, then the next minute he had 9..then 6 all running round his back garden which was three gardens people didn't want to use /didn't use which he had acquired from his neighbours...you all know what this screams, before me even mentioning he randomly told me he wasn't a traveller...I'll be honest, yes I sound paranoid, but i think even the most hardened HHO'ers would be too..off to google my number:-(
 
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I don't know what to suggest...I too would be very worried and I have to say the whole convo sounds familiar, I'm sure one of my fb friends had a similar phone call not many months back, can't remember who it was but none of my friends have had their dog nicked if it makes you feel better! Obviously don't give anyone fishy sounding your address, be aware he could get someone else to ring back, likely a woman. Erm...and dont leave dog at home?!!!
 
Vizslak said:
I don't know what to suggest...I too would be very worried and I have to say the whole convo sounds familiar, I'm sure one of my fb friends had a similar phone call not many months back, can't remember who it was but none of my friends have had their dog nicked if it makes you feel better! Obviously don't give anyone fishy sounding your address, be aware he could get someone else to ring back, likely a woman. Erm...and dont leave dog at home?!!!
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I've got house on the market & am making a few quick changes with extra blockwork wall & wrought iron gate to separate front from side & rear gardens..reducing easy access...luckily you mentioned none of your friends dogs went-thank God x I think i'll be sleeping on his paws tonight or locking him in my room & guarding the door myself snarling!if any of you have heard of Brook the choc lab that was stolen last april, i simply cannot think what they are going thru. Luckily my boy came to me as a rescue with massive separation anxiety distress disorder & never leaves my side for a waking moment-luckily I work from home-before anyone shots me down...we have progressed to me being able to go to the little girls room unattended for a whole 2 mins, tho if I'm much longer he comes to find me looking shakey & worried & shedding fur-he wakes every hour to check i'm here & haven't run away..he is also very good at alerting if anyone walks past the front gate or near my cars..I'm just not going to let him in the garden alone and prob come across slightly more bonkers than usual!xx
 
Did he ring your house number or your mob no. if house number you could have dialled 1471 if your mob no what number came up.

If my mob rings with a withheld number I will not answer it.
 
I'm the same DobieGirl..I have no landline,just a main mobile & a spare plus a disposable number for ads. I got his number & wrote it down from my phone(incase i break phone)and he gave a name, tho thinking about it, he was either reluctant to tell me or hesitated as he was making it up.

More came up on my number when i googled it which has just made me worry more..my original ad was preloved, which is where police/forums have warned of people searching for dogs to steal for fighting ..but I had posted the preloved item in numerous other places but given the preloved link for the extra info/pics on the item..the worry here is he may never have wanted the shed as my profile pic on fb was me &my dog...yes thoroughly paranoid now..head has started to feel like I have a log splitter with extra clamp vice bits:eek:
 
I just googled his number and there were no less than 9 whole google pages of adverts selling animals/birds from the same number. all said genuine reason for sale and gave the same excuse, but this ranged from rabbits/snakes/dogs birds-from chickens to parrots and seems like he has quite a trade going on..its a wonder he gets time to do a full time job (as claimed) seems more sus the more i look-London Zoo & Longleat would be jealous of the variation..and it flashes up every single of the usual suspect sites for selling animals and a whole lot more new sites too:confused:
 
Have you googled his number, I believe there is some sites which will tell you more for a fee.

Dont worry, I know you are thinking that is easy for me but if his intention was to steal your dog he has made you suspicious and you can take measures to secure the safety of your dog.

TBH there are so many adds on these sites offering free dogs that it is easier for them to go down this route.
 
Missed your last post we cross posted, wow it seems to me he is decidely suspect but also very inept sending his number so it can be traced.

Do you know your local policeman? because if not I would be going along to see him and asking his advice, be very interested to hear what he has to say on this matter.
 
Dobiegirl said:
Missed your last post we cross posted, wow it seems to me he is decidely suspect but also very inept sending his number so it can be traced.

Do you know your local policeman? because if not I would be going along to see him and asking his advice, be very interested to hear what he has to say on this matter.
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I know the Avon & Somerset Horsewatch & community police officers and also the Wilts ones who are actually alot sharper in response & easier to get hold of..am near enough to use them as a first contact even just as an informal chat to let them know & passify me! Lets just say the caller did not exactly inspire me with his manner on the phone,although he tried to come across as chatty my gut feeling was that the chat & questions were loaded..i could hear the cogs ticking..but think he was more braun than brains when it came to the crunch..so not an attention to too much detail man I wouldn't have thought...

I'll update ofcourse as soon as I have a police response x
 
It gets worse :-(

Cedars I've called them with the latest..am feeling quite sick now after another call this am. Pure paranoia is trully now set in.

I had another call this am apparently about some other things I am advertising on the same site,to do with lambing and to the value of £80.the man sounded similar to yesterdays guy & very rough. He said excellent price & would like to buy and where am I- I gave the town again and he said where tho. So I gave the nearest big supermarket & would be happy to meet there. He asked again rather crossly WHERE do you live. I said I felt uncomfortable giving my home address but that I would bring the original receipts to prove my items were mine to sell if he was that worried. he laughed and offered me £10. I thanked him but declined. I googled his number and it came up with ads which i browsed thru. Sure enough, he did not seem to be local to me as suggested, but Bristol area as yesterdays caller not Street as this mornings man claimed -which is not near enough to be given as a slip of the tongue-you're looking about just under an hours drive approx. Very horrible feeling.. I need a chocolate croissant & a gun tho am probably too jumpy right now for that to be safe! Another weird thing this mornings guy said..he was trying to make small talk about sheep & dogs & although the items I advertised are husbandry items not livestock, he suddenly asked if I would sell my sheep too-why would he want any if he claims in one breath to have 80 then 200 in another..mine have just lambed so would be pointless and they are definitley not for sale.He said make a note of his number incase i change my mind and asked me where i keep them. I simply said at home (they are a short drive away but wasn't telling that) he then randomly blurted out "I don't have a shotgun or nothing" (what?????) totally related to yesterdays random dropping of useless information about not being travellers.

My poor head, I don't drink & its way too early even if i did:eek:
 
I'd take the ads down and shove the stuff on EBay instead, frankly. At least then people can't call you!
 
Spudlet said:
I'd take the ads down and shove the stuff on EBay instead, frankly. At least then people can't call you!
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I'm going to do one better than that..going to buy myself some bottle lambs so i use all the stuff...& keep the shed and buy some angry geese to live in it..like a little centry box as its right at the front of my property. Will keep everyone at bay then. I will then have so much extra to do I won't have time to worry/stress :o
 
Oh Sahara I've just read this, how horrifying for you. I'd be the same, paranoia would have kicked in straight away.
I'd refuse to sell anything to any of these people - if you are at all worried and it sounds like the same person, say you have already sold and need to remove the ads.
Then, take everything off preloved etc and put it on eBay or similar where no contacts are actually given.
Keep your pooch with you and let the police know.
You'll be fine :)
K x
 
I dont think you are being paranoid at all! I would be inclined to have a chat with your local police station to see what their thoughts are security wise? Without a doubt I would be removing all ads and putting stuff on Ebay, far harder for advertiser to be traced that way I would have thought.

Do you live alone? Do you have any direct neighbours? If so I would also alert them to this and ask them to be more vigilant than usual on your behalf.

Stay safe.:(
 
See to be honest, I know people on here are asking you with good intention but I would not be posting about your living arrangements on here either bearing in mind the phonecalls, just to be on the safe side x
 
CaveCanem said:
See to be honest, I know people on here are asking you with good intention but I would not be posting about your living arrangements on here either bearing in mind the phonecalls, just to be on the safe side x
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I hadn't thought of that TBH.:o Although I wasn't expecting OP to reply on here as such, more to point out to her that IF she lives alone and IF she has neighbours etc. etc.......

Point taken though.:)
 
KellysHeroes said:
Oh Sahara I've just read this, how horrifying for you. I'd be the same, paranoia would have kicked in straight away.
I'd refuse to sell anything to any of these people - if you are at all worried and it sounds like the same person, say you have already sold and need to remove the ads.
Then, take everything off preloved etc and put it on eBay or similar where no contacts are actually given.
Keep your pooch with you and let the police know.
You'll be fine :)
K x
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Thank you Kelly..police informed & nice neighbour..also have nice buyer (I think!) lined up so will hopefully mean by sat any distinguishing things at my property will soon be sold & collected. I cannot get on preloved at all, it seems my password is not accepting(double eeek)so will remove asap... the pooch has been making the most of all the chapperoning..he's in his element!x

grumpyoldmare said:
I dont think you are being paranoid at all! I would be inclined to have a chat with your local police station to see what their thoughts are security wise? Without a doubt I would be removing all ads and putting stuff on Ebay, far harder for advertiser to be traced that way I would have thought.

Do you live alone? Do you have any direct neighbours? If so I would also alert them to this and ask them to be more vigilant than usual on your behalf.

Stay safe.:(
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Thank you :-) Don't worry, I read CCs & your next post -I've taken kind comments & suggestions on board & for the purposes of any eyes that should not be reading this..Jedward are currently staying here indefinitely.They will be kept on box rest & full feed with extra E numbers until required to be 'released' and will NOT be muzzled!!! Neighbour is 'on guard' with his hockey stick(kalashnikov) at the ready;-)x

CaveCanem said:
See to be honest, I know people on here are asking you with good intention but I would not be posting about your living arrangements on here either bearing in mind the phonecalls, just to be on the safe side x
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Thank you CC.. sensible as always!..thats the guardian breed instinct coming out!;-)x
 
Also while,you are assuming he means to steal the dog I read it as more that he was checking your security...


Hope you,get this sorted..am sticking to eBay after reading this..
 
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