Random Buyers Showing up at My Home

Herotype on 19/02/2021 - 16:23
Last edited 21/02/2021 - 23:32

Over the past couple months I've received random people showing up at my house to pick up items (cheap clothes or kitchenware mostly) from Facebook marketplace or gumtree. When I'm not selling anything.

When I speak to these people they have my address in their message exchanges with the "seller". I've seen the same name pop up twice but otherwise it's just random names. I've messaged two of the "sellers" to stop sending people to my address but it still keeps happening.

I'm not sure if I can even report this as I don't have much information. Most of the time the buyers leave once they realise I'm not the right person. I don't think the buyers have paid either and they seem just as confused as I am.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do.

Edit: Thank you everyone for your advice, I've started gathering what evidence I have to compile for a police report. I may try messaging one of the sellers to see if they give my address again then not respond and use that as evidence for the police. Obviously, trying to tread quite carefully as they have my address and potentially other personal information and its not just me, my family also lives at this address.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • bazingaa on 19/02/2021 - 16:29
    +10

    did you check the address in the messages correctly ? can be a simple mistake like Unit number instead of street number, Street instead of Road, Avenue etc.

    • Herotype on 19/02/2021 - 16:31
      +13

      Yes, it's my exact address every time. I accepted it could be a mistake the first two times, but now that people have shown up around 5-6 times…doesn't seem to be a mistake

      • Twix on 19/02/2021 - 16:43
        +6

        Maybe the buyer has already sent the money online and they have chosen a random address for pickup. At least their consistent.

        Have you or the buyers reported the seller to Facebook?

        • jv on 19/02/2021 - 16:58
          +27

          Have you or the buyers reported the seller to Facebook?

          As if they care….

          • Twix on 19/02/2021 - 17:01
            +7

            @jv: Zuck is too busy talking to ScoMo.

            Reported marketplace items get taken down all the time.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 20/02/2021 - 04:05
        +12

        Perhaps you could stock up on some hot consumer goods. You already have the foot traffic!!

      • [Deactivated] on 20/02/2021 - 18:22
        +10

        Set up a fake account and tell them you want to buy something and ask for as much information as you can such as phone number to confirm it's a real sale etc. Tell them you are willing to pay in advance ask for bank account details or paypal from 2 different accounts that way you can collect paypal email address, bank account info etc. I know a lot of that can be anonymous and fake stuff but the more information you have the more you can investigate. Sooner or later one of these bits of info will slip through and you'll get something that points you in the right direction.

        I know for sure that bank accounts cannot be opened unless you are a real person, and phone numbers now cannot be obtained unless you identify yourself.

    • GnarlyKnuckles on 20/02/2021 - 03:07
      +11

      Re:

      '… can be a simple mistake like Unit number instead of street number, Street instead of Road, Avenue etc.'

      This is clearly not the case, given the description of events. Someone is purposefully causing this to happen to the OP as a cowardly form of harassment.

      • Meconium on 20/02/2021 - 15:22
        -5

        It seems like a pretty clever form of harassment to me.

        • GnarlyKnuckles on 21/02/2021 - 00:35
          -1

          Sweet Jesus Macaronium, re:

          'It seems like a pretty clever form of harassment to me.'

          In what way is wasting countless people's time (i.e. the 'buyers') 'clever', even on the off chance that the OP somehow 'deserves to be harassed' (I'm assuming you don't, OP)?

          To incite others to follow suit perhaps? Sheeesh … think before you post statements proclaiming that criminal/anti-social actions are 'pretty clever', will you? I'm guessing it's never been suggested that you are the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree …

          • Loopenip on 21/02/2021 - 15:27

            @GnarlyKnuckles: Giving them the benefit of the doubt: I took it as them meaning "clever" as in an intelligent method of harassment, regardless of morality…?

            • GnarlyKnuckles on 21/02/2021 - 23:57

              @Loopenip: Loops, re:

              '… "clever" as in an intelligent method of harassment'

              A mode of harassment that necessarily results in numerous people other than the intended 'target' also being harassed (inconvenienced) is not clever at all. In this scenario, if the harasser's criminal behavior is discovered/they are exposed, they can then be prosecuted for a raft more things than if they had restricted their harassment to the actual target (who presumably, they think deserves it). The legal system takes a dim view of illegal tactics that by design involve indiscriminate/random innocents also suffering, simply so that the perpetrator can get at one specific party/person.

  • ihbh on 19/02/2021 - 16:31
    +25

    Did you p*ss someone off?

    • Herotype on 19/02/2021 - 16:36
      +7

      Even if I did, the Facebook profiles date back years and they have a high seller rating on marketplace. Similarly on gumtree they've been selling for a while with also a high rating. It's all very confusing.

      • ThithLord on 20/02/2021 - 12:25

        Can you try getting in contact with a particular seller and asking wtaf is going on?

    • bazingaa on 19/02/2021 - 16:47
      +5

      may be ex-gf ?

      • Pimpiticians 4 Life on 19/02/2021 - 19:31
        +18

        Anytime i hear about something petty like this I think this guys knobs been somewhere it shouldn't.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 20/02/2021 - 04:07
          +3

          No one owns your knob but you.

          • No ONE on 20/02/2021 - 09:47
            +6

            @Scrooge McDuck: Shhh!

          • Switchblade88 on 20/02/2021 - 18:53
            +1

            @Scrooge McDuck: Unless you enter into a contract that gives another person a controlling interest.

            Generally, that deems the other person to be labelled a 'spouse'.

      • SF3 on 19/02/2021 - 23:15

        from the last decade, could be a ex-bf .

      • Scrooge McDuck on 20/02/2021 - 04:08
        +2

        Maybe current GF who wants OP to update his stuff.

  • orangetrain on 19/02/2021 - 16:33
    +25

    Sounds like someone is trolling you. You can try reporting to police for cyber harassment and cyber police will get logs to confirm

  • holdenmg on 19/02/2021 - 16:40
    +3

    Maybe get a Smart Doorbell Cam for when you are not home, that way you
    can answer and turn them away.
    If they are genuine they could get agro and if not, maybe tumble your place.

    • Caped Baldy on 19/02/2021 - 17:05
      +29

      "For sale: one Smart Doorbell Camera. Buyer to remove and collect"

      • holdenmg on 19/02/2021 - 17:08
        +1

        I'll get Airtaskin'

        One day OP returns home, entire house is gone.
        (But OP has it on video).

        Also, Wanted Large Warehouse (no question asked).
        PM me.

  • Zachary on 19/02/2021 - 16:40
    +6

    Hahahaha - this reminded me of that one time when this guy came up to my door with flowers and a full suit and tie and shit asking to see his wedding bride… Another came up looking for someone and thought my house was his house and started smashing shit up, and then apologized after being told it was not that guy's house…. A few others came to egg the house, probably thinking I was someone else. I wasn't at home when this happened..

    • dizzle on 19/02/2021 - 21:04
      +5

      I had a shifty looking guy knock on my door around 10pm one night.
      "Can I come in?"
      "No, Why?"
      "I…just…need…I just want to come in"
      At this stage I was already closing the door.
      "go on, I just need to hide from the police"

      Like that's a good reason for a stranger to let you into the house.
      Closed the door turned on all the garden lights so he couldn't sneak into the back yard, and heard a police siren going past.

    • whatthecrappin on 20/02/2021 - 09:17

      I had something similar - turns out his mate had failed to update him that they'd moved. (I was in the house for at least 6 months!)

  • Randxyz123 on 19/02/2021 - 16:41
    +63

    You could just put a note on your door. Eg

    “Hi,
    Are you here to pick something up that you bought on Facebook marketplace or Gumtree?
    Someone is running a scam and sending people to my address on Facebook marketplace and Gumtree. I am not selling anything. Please go home and report the seller. Apologies for any confusion”

    • Caped Baldy on 19/02/2021 - 17:06
      +17

      Bonus points for making in MS paint.

      • Mechz on 19/02/2021 - 18:00
        +13

        Comic Sans uppercase only.

    • Blue Cat on 19/02/2021 - 18:08
      +2

      High IQ answer, anything else is a waste of time and effort.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 20/02/2021 - 04:18

        *Smooth brains answer, wastes perfectly good free advertising!!

    • DiscoJango on 20/02/2021 - 09:35

      Apologies for any confusion?

      Why would the op apologise to some random person from the street when they did nothing wrong.

      Rest of the letter is fine though.

      • blue-apollo on 20/02/2021 - 12:19
        +14

        It's an apology out of sympathy not guilt.

    • kurisu on 20/02/2021 - 15:54
      +2

      Here's a printable version. You're welcome.

  • Archi on 19/02/2021 - 16:47
    +3

    over the last few years i have been giving a fake phone number when i'm required to put a number down..and its usually just 1 digit different to mine and it has been the same number for the last 10 or so years.,.. i've never actually called the number to see if anyone picks up…

    i've stopped doing it although i can imagine how many unsolicited calls the other person may have received.

    if that is you i'm sorry

    • holdenmg on 19/02/2021 - 16:49
      +11

      Ok. (Thanks, Lotto win was good) :+)

    • beeawwb on 19/02/2021 - 16:50
      +13

      I feel bad for 0412 345 678

      • holdenmg on 19/02/2021 - 16:52
        +2

        It figures.

        • Kangal on 20/02/2021 - 09:53
          +1

          Isn't that ironic, just a bit?

    • CheapandUsed on 19/02/2021 - 16:56
      +28

      I always provide real estate agents the Rejection line number 0406 650 430.

      Just noticed the website shows recent messages the number recieved and the top one was from LJHooker, glad Im not the only one.

      • MeesusEff on 19/02/2021 - 17:48
        +6

        Geez how thirsty is that guy for Leticia. Almost seems stalkerish

        • spackbace on 19/02/2021 - 18:37
          +3

          Bullet dodged right there

        • Scrooge McDuck on 20/02/2021 - 04:25
          +1

          I dunno, it worked for me. Shame the dude's number is censored, I would've shown him a good time.

      • rompastompa on 19/02/2021 - 22:21
        +7

        SMS #230890 from 0456934xxx
        Friday 19/02/2021 08:58pm (Sent from Unknown via Unknown)
        Hi ozbargainers

        Ha, who was this? :D

        • Miss B on 21/02/2021 - 18:49

          SMS #230989 from 0435093xxx
          Saturday 20/02/2021 11:02pm (Sent from Unknown via Optus Mobile Pty Limited)
          OZBARGAINERS ARE LOOSERS

          I'm so confused about what a looser is. Maybe they meant Ozbargainers are looser?

      • Drewbo on 20/02/2021 - 11:29
        +2

        Hahaha! Check out the MMS's.

        • bamzero on 22/02/2021 - 16:44

          I wish I hadn't… though I'm surprised it took until page 2 before the dick pics started..

          Looks like they don't post them any more though, I saw some poor person had been scammed on Stayz then realised it was from 2014.

      • solidussnake on 20/02/2021 - 14:08
        +1

        Dude that's an epic page thanks !!

      • cheesecactus on 20/02/2021 - 19:34

        Oh wow I remember that from back in high school. Except back then it was run by someone else and used to actually play an audio message saying that the person doesn't want to talk to you.

        I even still have it in my address book (0419317446).

        The FAQ of this new site mentions the old one died in 2010-ish and the previous owners kindly donated the domain name to the new owners.

        But this new one actually serves a purpose whereas the old one was more of a good joke.

      • endotherm on 20/02/2021 - 23:37

        Or get Lenny to answer the call for you.

      • goms on 21/02/2021 - 19:44

        ohhh nice one. Some of them are gold!!

      • bamzero on 22/02/2021 - 16:45

        Never new this existed.. Can guess what I'll be doing next time too :)

        (Just saw the site today, different day, different real estate agent top of the list.)

  • bdl on 19/02/2021 - 17:03
    +3

    Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do.

    Answer the door with no pants

    • donga100 on 19/02/2021 - 21:21
      +1

      Do Gumtree and FB allow escort services to be advertised? Might want to be careful…

  • Diji1 on 19/02/2021 - 17:21
    +1

    Very strange.

    • Gnostikos on 20/02/2021 - 15:34
      +5

      Do you think the Liberals could be behind it?

  • steven6 on 19/02/2021 - 17:33
    +3

    Report to police. The police might stonewall you and try to encourage you to not make a complaint, but be persistent. They could charge the offender with stalking or using a carriage service to menace, threaten or harass. The police probably won't do much if you do make a complaint, but atleast it will be on record.

  • morse on 19/02/2021 - 17:42
    +2

    Maybe try to buy something off one of these sellers using a fake profile and see what happens. (don’t ever admit to doing this of course).

    But yeah I agree with comments above, I suspect someone is messing with you.

  • Smulder on 19/02/2021 - 18:00
    +5

    I'd accept this happening once as a mistake. More than once, 100% intentional.

    If there are multiple sellers that all seem legitimate, my guess is someone is hacking the facebook accounts and listing stuff to sell with your address.

    They are obviously going to some lengths to troll you… might want to tread carefully.

  • bargain huntress on 19/02/2021 - 18:31
    +2

    I've seen the same name pop up twice but otherwise it's just random names.

    yet

    the Facebook profiles date back years and they have a high seller rating on marketplace. Similarly on gumtree they've been selling for a while with also a high rating.

    so how does that work? 🤔

    options i can think of;

    1. someone/s has a large collection of longstanding sockpuppet accounts on facebook and gumtree

    2. someone/s is hacking accounts on facebook and gumtree

    3. someone/s is constantly changing the name of their one facebook and gumtree accounts

    4. lots of different people are using your address on facebook marketplace and gumtree

    🤔

    Questions:

    is your house located very near some kind of public area - a park, a car park, a shop, a train station, etc?

    is your house located right in the center of your suburb - if you go to google maps and type in your suburb, does the pin come up near you?

    is your address very generic, for example 123 Smith St?

    could you have angered someone who is a member of some kind of network - a hacker, a gang member, a popular person at school or work?

    could you have angered someone who spends a lot of time on computers?

    have you checked the sales history of the random seller accounts, or been back to check them again, to make sure they aren't in fact the same accounts with different names?

    I don't think the buyers have paid either

    what makes you think that?

    • Scrooge McDuck on 20/02/2021 - 04:28
      +2

      could you have angered someone who spends a lot of time on computers?

      lel

  • Porker on 19/02/2021 - 18:39
    +3

    Even if someone is out to get you, pissing you off is one thing but there all these poor buyers too that have wasted time and money.

  • funnysht on 19/02/2021 - 18:53
    -3

    most likely your friend doing it as a prank

    • brendanm on 19/02/2021 - 19:06

      Try reading the op next time.

      • funnysht on 19/02/2021 - 19:08
        -1

        i agree it was the OP

  • Euphemistic on 19/02/2021 - 19:53
    +4

    All your neighbours are socially awkward (or possibly aliens) and just trying to introduce themselves. They’ve studied Facebook as a mechanism to socially interact.

  • Melb69 on 19/02/2021 - 20:47

    More than once is not a coincidence. I had these 2 young dudes turn up randomly and knock on our door asking for my partner with first name. As soon as I said yeah the guy sort of just turned around and left. I once had a package sent to another suburb with same street name.. Was thinking it was the reciever of that as it would of had her nane on it. Although even that may just be a random reason as it was months before that package was sent in error.

  • inherentchoice on 19/02/2021 - 20:49
    +3

    Bikies!

  • [Deactivated] on 19/02/2021 - 22:11

    So it's not a happy ending

  • Quantumcat on 19/02/2021 - 23:15
    +2

    Can you message the sellers to ask why they sent buyers to your house?

    • Kangal on 20/02/2021 - 10:04

      He's just not the hero type, clearly.
      (With this laundry list of defects, all the mistakes he made, largely public. The truth is…)

  • barge-in hunter on 20/02/2021 - 07:57
    +2

    I know a lot of fb sellers don't like giving out their own address for privacy/traceability reasons (stolen goods, fake accounts etc)

    Could it be a local using your address as a meeting place? With the intention of intercepting buyers before they knock on your door?

    I met someone last night selling a car, and when I arrivwd he was sitting in the car in front of the address he'd given me.

    • minniethemoocher on 20/02/2021 - 13:11

      Yes this has happened to use as buyers too.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 20/02/2021 - 10:47

    Looks like its time to move

  • deme on 20/02/2021 - 11:26
    +3

    Is it a navigation app error?
    Amazon keeps delivering far down the street till I rang them.

  • apiecost on 20/02/2021 - 12:36
    +2

    Do you have a carbon monoxide detector in your house? Could be worth considering

  • dufflover on 20/02/2021 - 13:46
    +1

    You must unluckily live here

  • ATangk on 20/02/2021 - 16:41
    +2

    Someone did this to me once. When I asked, they said they lived a bit further up the road around the corner where it was no stopping, so they used a different address for convenience. They forgot to mention that they didnt actually live there, just used it as a meeting address.

  • baskinghobo on 20/02/2021 - 18:13
    +1

    Send them a fake legal letter.

  • striker5950 on 20/02/2021 - 18:35

    sounds like someone you know is F#cking with you

  • moneyhungry on 20/02/2021 - 20:51

    Why don't you open up a shop in your living room?

  • bargain huntress on 21/02/2021 - 10:27
    +3

    Hi OP Herotype. Can we have an update when you're ready please?

    • Herotype on 21/02/2021 - 23:33
      +1

      Just given an update.

  • Rkshar on 21/02/2021 - 14:00
    +1

    Could be those fake accounts setup to scam buyers. They usually provide a random address, normally quite far from the targeted buyers, hoping that the buyer would ask to post the item instead of doing a physical inspection. Once the payment is received, "who me, who you".

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