My Parcels Stolen by My Housemate

Hi guys,

Just want your opinion abour my case.

Currently I live in a student share house, managed by property management.
There are 8 tenants. I've been living here for more than 3yrs and no problem until recently.
Last month I bought a headphone from Sony online (Sony MDREX150APB), the DHL tracking showed it has been delivered on March,21th 2016.

I have been waiting if somehow someone keep it for me and will return it, but until now I haven't seen the parcel.

Then last week I order this Xperia Z3 tablet
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/242853

I'm always checking the delivery status every day and again The DHL delivered it on April,18th 2016 (Monday). 'Till now, I still haven't received this parcel also. From the tracking site, Both parcels were signed by Frank (landlord), so I asked him where he put my parcels. He said he put them at kitchen table in main house as usual. I never seen those parcels in the kitchen table. Fyi, I am always away from 10am to 6pm everyday. This is the second time someone took my parcels. Unfortunately, there isn't a CCTV at common room so I can't blame anyone.

What should I do? I am thinking to report to the property manager and maybe file a police report and call Sony technical support so they can track the serial number and MAC address of the tablet and flag my unit as stolen. I know there is a slim change I will get my parcels.

IS it possible for SOny to track the location of my tablet? I know this is wiFi only..or maybe I can ask the property manager to check (the MAC address) whether the thief connect it to wifi network?

Cheers

Update :
1. Thanks to @sadako, I did network scan and found 1 Sony device..but I don't know the mac address of stolen tablet..need to check with Sony..no mac address and serial number in the invoice
http://imgur.com/vC0aWnb

  1. My other mate also missing her stuff..but maybe this one only someone borrow it
    saw she put this at kitchen table 2 days ago
    http://i.imgur.com/tMiyWcL.jpg?1

is it possible to remote control and ring the device? I know this is possible if I have enable android device manager since it's new..I don't think it is possible

Comments

  • -2

    Why do you think they were stolen by your housemates?
    It could have been anyone that has visited that house.

    • Yes, that's also possible…but no one usually at that area…someone should enter from back door. I forgot to mention that my landlord are living at the backyard in granny flat.

      • -1

        Next time ask him if he's going to sign for it to keep it securely in his granny flat, or don't accept it at all and make the delivery guy take it back. Then two possiblities:
        1. he signs for it and keeps it securely and gives it to you
        2. he will be petty and refuse to sign for it and make the delivery guy take it back. This will indicate he's a jerk that doesn't care about you enough to help out with a simple task and is either the thief himself, or a scumbag you shouldn't rent from.

    • +4

      or by a shifty landlord who would be aware that there are too many people to point fingers at

      • +1

        that would be probable..he seems surprised when i asked him and he said "I just put it there..sorry can help you mate". but I can't blame anyone without evidence

  • +2

    Why didn't your landlord hold the parcels for you? Were they addressed to you by name?

    Do you have physical access to the WiFi router? If not perhaps you could still log in to it; you'd be astonished at the number of users who don't change the default credentials.

    • I don't know…he said he put it on the kitchen table. Yes, they are addressed to me by my name. I don't have problem with parcels delivered by Auspost , Startrack or other courier. Is it possible because delivered by DHL, someone might think it is valuable item?
      Yes, I have a physical access to the Wifi Router but the property management isn't allow the tenant to access it.

      • +2

        Like Scrooge said, you can possibly still log into it. If you can't figure this out please tell what type of router it is so we can guide you through it.
        With mine after you log in there's a map of all the devices connected, you might be able to see the tablet there complete with MAC address.
        https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/30374/38828/fhfg.png

      • Yes, I have a physical access to the Wifi Router but the property management isn't allow the tenant to access it.

        Go to the router, turn it upside down and see what the ip address is and what the username and password is.

        Normally it is

        admin/password

        or

        admin/admin

      • +5

        buy a Bluetooth tracking device like a TrackR or gps tracking unit, find an item you no longer need or a soft toy, place the tracking device inside the item, send a parcel to yourself and wait for results

  • +13

    Obviously ordering expensive items to a share house is risky that someone will take it.

    I'd be suggesting to 'Frank' that it is kinda his fault for leaving them on the kitchen table. He should be putting mail like that in a secure location. You don't know if a housemate took it or one of their friends or who.

    I'd suggest in the future sending parcels to a PO box or parcel locker or post office address.

    Unfortunately you can't prove anything without CCTV or a witness to someone else taking your parcel.

    I've been living here for more than 3yrs and no problem until recently.

    Is there anyone new who you never see? Or someone acting suspicious recently?

    What should I do?

    • I'd first off report it to the land lord - Frank? and see what he has to say.

    • Call sony support and see if you can get the serial number of your tablet from them. I doubt they will be able to. Worth a try though. At the very least they might be able to flag it.

    • Check eBay every couple of days see if there are any brand new tablets listed in your suburb

    • You could try asking the property manager to look for the mac address or any new devices that have connected recently but what would that prove?

    • +4

      Good advice. I would also be checking Gumtree in addition to ebay for new listings of your stuff.

      • Good point with Gumtree.

        Also if there are any pawn shops could be worth going to them.

    • +4

      If you absolutely must keep ordering stuff online getting your own post office box would cost money, but be cheaper in the end.

      • Parcel locker as suggested knick007 above is as good as post office box for parcels, and is free.

    • Have you talked to the other housemates? Possibly they ordered something similar and it's all an accident, but given the details I don't really believe that it is.

      I disagree that it's Frank's fault, we shouldn't have to live in a house where we don't trust the other residents. You shouldn't need to leave everything under lock and key. Having said that, now that there's an issue the system will have to change.
      I would think it's more likely to be a housemate/guest than a third party theif. Is there anyone new to the house? Leave a passive aggressive note saying that you'll be filing a police report unless it's returned, then maybe you'll get it back. Then file a police report even if they give it back, as it's pretty clear that they stole it.

  • +27

    OP - spend some of the money you are burning on gadgets and move into a house that isn't so clearly a student-slum-shanty.

  • +23

    Probably not the cheapest option but send yourself a fake package through DHL with some sort of GPS tracking device in it. Land lord signs for it and leaves it on the kitchen table, possible thief/house-mate takes it —> follow the trail!

    • I like this idea, I'd want to get to the bottom of who was pinching my stuff. Hate to say it but the simplest explanation is that the landlord is not putting your parcels on the kitchen table at all. There are 8 possible culprits and no way to prove anything.

      • But if "frank" signed for it, then would it be "frank" who would bear some responsibility? I would make a complaint to DHL and say that it wasn't received by me and that it is their responsibility to hand it to the person named on the parcel. What happens if a thief was in my house or in my front yard when the delivery guy shows up, they would just sign for it and run off…

        • +1

          But if "frank" signed for it, then would it be "frank" who would bear some responsibility?

          frank's liability ends as soon as he leaves the consignment at a designated location for the addressee to collect.

          ? I would make a complaint to DHL and say that it wasn't received by me and that it is their responsibility to hand it to the person named on the parcel.

          the carrier's responsibility is to deliver the consignment to the address and get a signature of the person accepting the the delivery. the sender is the party that is responsible for choosing the right service. they have to pay for person-to-person if they want the addressee to sign.

        • @whooah1979:

          So if it's not addressed to Frank and DHL are leaving it with him, what's the logical conclusion hey?

        • +1

          @ankor:

          So if it's not addressed to Frank and DHL are leaving it with him, what's the logical conclusion hey?

          The basic or cheapest shipping rate that requires a signature doesn't require the addressee to sign. Any person at the address that are willing to accept and sign can do so. That is how carriers work. It's the sender's responsibility to choose and pay the shipping service that they need.

        • -1

          @whooah1979:
          When I've had stuff delivered to me, my house mates can't sign for it. This includes FedEx, regular post, express post. Not sure about start rack express or DHL since Ive rarely had them used.

          I would have thought that it was the same for DHL.

        • @ankor: I've never had a delivery that asked for ID.
          "Is this you?"
          "Yes"
          "Sign here" then they hand it over. Unless it is some sort of high security delivery they'll let anyone sign for it (unfortunately)
          Only time I've had ID checked for a parcel is when I get a missed delivery and have to go pick it up.

    • i like this idea, get the rats.

    • +1

      Did you think about checking the trash in the wheelie bin for any discarded packaging? People are silly and they probably wouldn't expect you to go through it.

  • -1

    1st make a claim against DHL - why would they allow someone else accept and sign for a parcel for someone else?

    or

    how did you pay?

    if with paypal or CC, make a claim on them…

    my 2c

  • +7

    I just checked eBay and gumtree, no current ads for those items in Brisbane. There was a Z3 tablet sold in Brisbane on eBay but the date sold on doesn't match with your post. I also had a look at Sunbrisbane but there's no english ads at least. So I would think the thief offloaded the goods to a Cash Converters or someone else. Or the items are still in your house! If you are on IOS, you can use Fing network scanner and it lists connections by machine model. I would also talk to Frank and each of your housemates individually to see if they saw the packages on the kitchen or not. Pretty sure someone would have seen something.

    • +1

      Thanks mate..Just did it and found 1 sony device but not know the mac address of missing tablet

      • You know who to confront first then

        • well I need to make sure the mac address listed in router belong to the missing tablet..so need to ask Sony. I can't search everyone room right?

        • Just confront them respectfully, see if their behaviour changes

        • @Tal_Shiar: well, frankly I'm a bit suspicious with "Frank"; he seem defensive and didn't look surprise.

        • @unicorn888: did any of your other housemates see the package on the table?

  • +1

    Maybe talk to "Frank", as he was the person who signed for both parcels, so technically the last known locations of the two parcels. Wouldn't that make him responsible for them? For future reference, you can sign up for a parcel locker (for free I think?), so you could just go and collect your items whenever from a set location.

    • parcel locker doesn't help for stuff delivered by private couriers. Auspost charges them to use the lockers, so they refuse to deliver to them

  • If Frank left the parcel on the table & someone else took it, then it's clearly theft of a $300 item.

    I think you should get in touch with the Police.

    It will then be up to the Police to find the thief.

    • -2

      no, the police will only investigate it if there is some initial evidence of a theft

      not just "some bloke called frank says he left it next to a table and now it's gone"

      claim against DHL - they have failed to deliver it to you and have wrongly allowed frank to sign for it. they are responsible.

      • +1

        The package was left on the table by Frank for the OP. Frank will presumably testify to the Police that he left the package on the table.

        Someone else took the package and the package is now missing. OP will testify to the Police that he never got the package.

        What other "evidence" is needed ?

        If someone takes mail addressed for someone else then it's a simple case of mail theft.

      • +1

        claim against DHL - they have failed to deliver it to you and have wrongly allowed frank to sign for it. they are responsible.

        that is incorrect. most carriers only require a signature of a person at the address. the sender must pay for person-to-person if they only want the addressee to sign or collect.

      • I agree with @vikvance. Frank signed with DHL. Frank is responsible for the package. At the very least they can talk to the the people who live at OPs house. Everyone who has access to the house is a suspect.

    • +2

      police won't care

  • +2

    Talk to the other people and see if this is happening to anybody else. If there's a thief in the house you won't be the only one missing stuff, for sure. If there's a thief in the house and Frank hasn't warned you and others about it, or done something practical to catch or deter, then Frank is suspect.

    If you are the only one missing stuff then maybe there isn't a thief in the house and you need to look elsewhere?

    • +1

      Frank isn't responsible for catching thiefs. It's the job of the Police to catch thiefs.

      • +6

        Frank is the landlord/manager and takes it upon himself to sign for other people's stuff so he has a inherent responsibility to see the stuff gets to the rightful recipient. Plus he admits, apparently, to being the last known person to have possession of said items. If you were him wouldn't you feel some responsibility, if only for his own reputation?

        If other people are missing stuff they would naturally tell/ask him about it so he would know and it would be incumbent upon him to take some form of action. Don't you think that is reasonable?

        And there is such a thing as citizens arrest. Regardless, if OP was to go to police with actual evidence he could play a part in catching the thief, if there is one.

        • +1

          If you were him wouldn't you feel some responsibility,

          frank the landlord is no more liable than jane the receptionist or john the storeman. they sign and leave the consignment at a designated location for the addressee to collect.

        • @whooah1979:

          I didn't say he was liable, read my posts. I'm out of here.

        • @whooah1979: But it franks job to supply a safe house hold right?

        • +1

          Yeah, I'm liking "Frank" for these thefts.

          Classic slumlord; pack eight tenants into tiny rooms and sow mistrust among them by pocketing gifts. Nice little scam.

          Check Gumtree for the stolen items. You might find Frank's number on the ads.

      • It's the job of whoever can do it.

    • Well, my other mate also missing her stuff..but maybe this one only someone borrow it
      see this http://i.imgur.com/tMiyWcL.jpg?1

      • Missing spoons aren't really up there with expensive tech? :-) people are always lifting inconsequential items in a big share house. I'd call it carelessness rather than thievery.

        What about the other 7 tenants, anyone missing anything valuable?

        • yes I know..that is why I will bring this up to property manager…and this can consider as a crime, right?
          I think as long as you lock the door, it should be fine.

        • @unicorn888:

          Was it a very valuable red handled wooden spoon? Come on keep perspective mate. :-) It's not in the same league as your stuff, is it.

          In a house shared with 7 strangers, and a landlord, I'd get a PO box or equivalent. Maybe share one with a trusted mate in the house?

        • @JH100: Yes, that's why I will report to the police. Do you think I should report to the police without asking anyone? If I ask them, I am afraid the thief will hide the evidence. Now I see there is a new Sony connected to the network.,,the IP address also the last one..it must be connected within this week

          I have a parcel locker address, unfortunately Sony won't deliver to a PO BOX.

        • @unicorn888:

          Yes, that's why I will report to the police.

          don't waste your time or the loc time. they won't investigate something so trivial as $300.

        • @unicorn888:

          Assuming DHL have in fact delivered the two items and Frank has in fact signed for them, they have gone missing from inside the house. Chances are someone inside the house has or had them.

          It just makes sense to ask the other people if they have had anything missing recently, so everybody knows what is going on, if there's a thief about. Whether or not anybody else has had anything stolen/missing you are obliged, for your own peace of mind, to report the matter to Frank and if he doesn't come up with the good go to the police.

          The police may not be able to find the thief, they won't be searching the place without the permission of Frank/landlord - will he give permission?

          Either way it will be an open issue and you won't be carrying the emotional burden any longer, just missing the items.

        • @unicorn888:

          Then don't buy from Sony.

        • @JH100: i don't think the police need Frank's permission. The renters rent the space so they are responsible for who can cover and go. Frank would need to give permission for the police to enter his flat out the back.

        • @JH100:

          Technically, if you are caught stealing a wooden spoon or a mobile phone by say Big W, KMart etc. you will still be charged with theft regardless of the value. Theft is theft. The value MIGHT be a factor for sentencing but then it might not be.

          It is like saying that if you shot somebody 5 times he is dead but if you shoot him fifty times he is deader. Not so. Both is murder. The second case might warrant a harsher sentence though as it can be considered heinous or hateful.

          You do not believe me? Steal a $0.50 item from a shop and get caught. You will see. ;-)

  • Firstly, it's sort of crazy that they are using the device in the share house. But yeah, are you sure there's no screen like Here that shows the device models? It is possible that someone has a Sony device, but as you said it is the last number. Anyway, I think you should firstly tell or talk to everyone in the house about your lost items. You can even use a note but talking to each person would be better. Having pictures of the headphones and tablet would help.

    Maybe someone has seen something or you can find out if it is their Sony device that is on Fing. Or at least the thief will know they cannot use the items in public. Also important to report to Police and also the property manager (I am assuming the landlord knows already). The police may not do anything, but it is useful in case something big happens later on. I had a friend who had their $5000 worth of camera gear stolen from a locked room at a share house behind SIng Sing restaurant in Annerley. The thief moved in a week earlier and raided all of the rooms before going to Sydney. Not sure if this is true, but my friend says he found his camera gear (with his serial) at a Cash Converters, but only the police could get it back. Which never happened. So your best bet to get the items back is to talk with the people in the house, but you should also inform the authorities (Police and Property manager).

    • Nope, only showing Sony. I use other apps now showing "Sony mobile communication AB"

      • Okay, what I was saying is that it could just be a flatmate that has a Sony phone, if no one has a Sony then it makes it a lot easier. At least it gives you something easy to ask the other flatmates.

  • Get a PO box

    • -3

      Some companies don't accept delivery to PO BOX. Not really a solution.

      • It's actually a pretty reasonable solution. Not perfect because some companies won't delivery to a PO Box, but for most things you buy… you should be able to find a seller that is willing to ship to a PO Box. Especially for common tech items like sony phones that are sold by lots of sellers.

        Yes you may get charged a bit more… but you pay a price for secure delivery, whether that's the cost of the PO box or the cost of buying from a different seller.

        In either case PO boxes aren't cheap, so if you don't frequently buy expensive items, may be worth having them delivered to a friend that you trust with a more secure address. But if you need secure delivery frequently and you can pay, this IS a solution and this does work.

  • -1

    Hey mate tell frank to pull his head in or else you will move out! If need be then leave? This is serious matter this is no different to some one coming into your room and stealing goods!
    why wouldn't frank keep an eye on the items and give them to you when he sees you? isn't that his responsibility? He signed for it and now its missing its his fault once he signs he takes the liability!

    I am sure you can lock the device or track it…. Register the device to your gmail account if you still can you will need IMEI. Then you can track it…i do not think you need to be on the the device to register it? I have registered devices from my PC before i lost my walkman it was the android version one….

    • If it was that easy, then most poeple with track down other people by just using their IMEI.

  • +4

    My advice is to talk to Frank, and organise a house meeting. At the meeting state that the device was clearly put on the table and that you know it is still on the premises but don't go into details (a bluff but still likely), Ask that whomever inadvertently picked it up return it to the table no questions asked. If Frank isn't happy to help you with this their either he is an arsehole or he took the stuff himself. Either way I'd be moving out.

    In the future I'd get things delivered to your work if they have a proper mailroom. more likely things we be tracked and whomever does the receiving has to make sure it gets to you. Thats what I do anyway, I got sick of Australia Post leaving things at the door even when I was at home. Good luck!

  • +6

    One day when you are free pretend that someone has delivered something and get the landlord to put it on the table, even you could just put it on the table and have it addressed to you.
    Set up some surveillance in the common room or even still put a car alarm inside the box and secretly watch and see if someone takes the package into their room then wait about 5 minutes till you think they opened it and PRESS THE CAR ALARM BUTTON
    Damn those things are loud.

    • I like this idea lol..

    • +2

      Except if your timing is off, they will put it back straight after opening after they realize what it is. You can always buy a device that shoots paint on their face as soon as they open it, or little glitter bomb that will spread glitter all over their room.

    • -1

      Or you could go this route?
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwCbbMgp3Lw

      • +1

        Or buy one of those glitter bombs addressed to yourself. Whoever is covered in glitter is your culprit!

  • +9

    Speaking as a police officer, there really isn't anything police can do. The landlord can't give police permission to search tenants rooms. The tenant must give us that permission.
    We can't obtain a search warrant because you don't know who it was that took it. Needs to be solid evidence before a magistrate will sign off. They are a lot of work.
    Only other thing we can do is ask every tenant if they took it or saw who did. If they say no that is the end of the investigation.
    Really, the only benefit of reporting it to police is for insurance purposes.
    Even if you can identify that it was your tablet connected to the router, that doesn't lead us any closer to knowing exactly who it was.

      • +4

        We could but then people could just walk away, refuse to talk to us etc if they feel like we're trying to trap them. If your keep repeatedly asking the same questions over and over it also becomes inadmissible in court because it defense can argue that they caved and told a lie because police kept pressuring them etc.

        We can't force people to stand there and speak to us. For anything they say to be admissible in court as evidence, we have to give them a caution first, "before continuing I must inform you that your do not have to say or do anything but anything you say or do may be recorded and given in evidence". They don't have to speak to us at all.

        You seem to be under the odd illusion that people will open up and tell us everything. Generally speaking, people are extremely reluctant to speak to us and get involved in other people's problems. We can only do so much.

        I thought it would be very different prior to joining as well. That's how the law works though.

        Also, I'm on leave so I won't be handing out any tickets. I haven't written a ticket in over two years anyway. I think you're confusing us with highway patrol.

        • He must have been watching Banshee…

        • Track him down and double all his infringements… Please ? :)

  • +7

    Ask everyone in the house if they own a sony device. (hopefully none of them do, will make the next part a lot easier)
    Once you have that info, wait until you see the sony device online by itself, and turn off the router.
    See who comes looking for why the internet is broken.

    Doesn't give any certainty, but at least you have someone to focus on.

  • +1

    You could try leaving a note similar to that of your housemate "item a and item b, stolen from my mail by someone in this house. If returned within 24, no further questions asked. If not, the matter will be reported to the police" Think of some secure place they can be anonymously left. They don't need to know that the police can't do anything. It's worth a try.

    Given that Frank is aware valuables are being stolen, he should perhaps implement some sort of system to better manage mail delivery.

  • Leave note telling if not returned you'll make a formal complaint and report to police.
    What scams live on earth still surprises me. In the meantime don't order anything else online.
    I would be devastated if someone stole my brand new gadgets!

  • +12

    Order a big black dildo and when it arrives have a look at who's limping and you got your thief

    • +4

      Or someone that all of a sudden looks suspiciously happy.

      • +1

        I see a smile on Frank's face…

  • +12

    An aside.. Your probably living in an illegal share accommodation. In Brisbane you are only allowed 5 unrelated Tennant in a house.

  • +1

    WTF. You need to find a new place.

  • +1

    Send yourself something via DHL or other carrier.
    Set up some sort of surveillance in the common area. Let Frank know what you're doing and ask him to leave the parcel in the common area as per usual.

    When you catch the rat it won't be conclusive proof but at least you'll have a pretty good idea yourself.

    • +2

      Lol don't let frank know anything, what if frank is the culprit!?

  • +1

    Did an one else read it as My parcels stole my housemate ;)

  • Just dont live in scum housing. Or go halvzies in a po box with someone you trust

    • but couriers don't deliver to po boxes

      • you can always get a private mailbox.

        Or get a friend from a non ghetto house.

  • I'm thinking maybe a Police report may not lead to the thief being caught.

    But maybe it might induce a little stress in the thief, they say stress kills eventually.

  • It might be too late, but look through your bins for packaging. Theif might try and bin the evidence still.

  • File a police report. Frank signed for it, so if it doesn't show up, it could end up being a trip to the small claims court and sue Frank for it. But if that happens, don't be surprised if you suddenly need to find a new house.

  • Did it just happen recently? Search the trash. Whoever stole it probably put the packaging in their waste bin, meaning its still in their room, or its in the general rubbish bin with other items that identify them.

  • I had my parcels stolen by auspost

    My solution as to use parcel lockers
    It's a free service provided by auspost.

    Not sure if it's been mentioned..

    The items get put into a locker, and you get and and email with a code. You can then go get it or give the code to someone you trust to pick it up for you from specified locker locations.

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