I don’t live in the DC area, but just saw this was posted last night on Nextdoor:

“A young girl rang my door bell at 9:45pm tonight. She asked to use my phone. I asked why. She said she ran away from home. I asked why. She did not reply. I closed the door and returned with my phone asking her for her mom’s number. She said , “ I don’t think that’s a good idea”. She stood there nervous. I told her that I could not help her then. I would not give her my phone. At the same time, there was a mini van outside. When I called the police, they said it sounded like a set up for a home invasion. Be alert. Please. Call the police whenever you suspect something.”

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please don’t blame ADHD. I have that and also have street smarts. I’d never have opened the door.

Exactly, my ADHD would kick in with hyperalert on stranger danger!

For you, but OP's DH seems to go to overwhelm and the most simplistic rote "gotta open the door when the bell rings no matter what" response and has done so before.

Anonymous wrote:It’s gotta suck to live where opening your door is a risk. I’d move.

That would be anywhere. Troll.

Was she bouncing? I mean, you can tell when someone has to urgently go to the bathroom. If she wasn't acting that way it was def a scam.

Anonymous wrote:Please don’t blame ADHD. I have that and also have street smarts. I’d never have opened the door.

Exactly, my ADHD would kick in with hyperalert on stranger danger!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I absolutely think you did the right thing. Her story doesn’t add up and you should trust your gut.

Since your area has a lot of recent breakins, I’d consider reaching out to the police (non-emergency) and see if this fits a pattern. I might also suggest talking to the neighbors about it. You might even want to reconsider a Ring or other camera system.

I'd do the same but call your local precinct directly and ask to speak with the detective working on the break ins. Don't just call 311.

I'd definitely get a Ring for front and back doors, I think DC and nearby counties offer a rebate that covers the cost.

Talk to neighbors and also post on Next Door and/or any neighborhood listserve.

I moved into a neighborhood where the neighbors would downplay any break ins to houses or cars, because they were too concerned about their property values. "Oh, it must have been kids playing a prank!" No. No, it was most definitely not kids crashing windows open or taking every piece of family jewelry in the house. So, not all neighbors/neighborhoods are willing to share this information.

I would recommend extra locks and putting your valuables in an off property safe, even if you live in the nicest areas.

Anonymous wrote:As the mom of. 17 year old girl I am really worried for this girl that she is put on the street drunk.
I’m not saying you did the wrong thing —the situation is really weird. What teen girl would go into a stranger’s house at night by themselves? I know a teen that did that growing up and he ended up murdered. I’m not an all sure what I would have done.

You call 911.

Anonymous wrote:Wow that's cold

Put a "free bathroom here" sign on your front door and let us know how that goes, troll.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t even open the door to anyone at that hour.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You did the right thing. This scenario is a noted scam, except it usually involves a young woman claiming to need to charge her phone. Think about it: why would a young woman be down a cul-de-sac, by herself, with no where to go? Have you ever randomly stoped at a person’s house, just to go to the bathroom?

Is this a thing? Have there been cases of this? What happens?

https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/north-little-rock/scam-warning-woman-and-child-ask-to-use-the-bathroom-to-gain-entry-into-your-house/91-fb8874f6-63f2-4355-b70f-a79d5f8635bc

https://www.deseret.com/2014/1/28/20533906/woman-asking-to-use-bathrooms-arrested-on-burglary-allegations

https://abc13.com/scam-thieves-home-robbery/2869464/

DP here. Grew up in an affluent suburb, and this was definitely a thing. People knocking on the front door, distracting the homeowner, whilst others gained entrance to the back. Or people entering the house whilst the homeowner was working in the back yard (open garage or unlocked door). All sorts of configurations to access or assess. It has been going on forever. Criminals depend on the homeowner being stupid and/or naive.

+1

Affluent suburbs, or semi-rural streets where the houses are far apart and neighbors don't hear each other etc. -- this does happen in a lot of different settings. I'm surprised that some on this thread seem not to have heard of this, or don't believe it. People need to pay more attention when crimes are reported in their areas, so they understand how these kinds of criminals operate. It is not "paranoia" to be informed and take basic precautions like not leaving the garage door open, or locking the front door if you're outside working in the back yard, for instance. It's just common sense, rooted in staying informed.

+1

PP here. Agree. Not sure why there are some people who have it in their head that this "never happens". My MIL grew up rural poor and still leaves her doors unlocked, but that doesn't mean that criminals think she has nothing. Hope she doesn't find out the hard way. Criminals are looking for an easy "hit", and locked doors are the simplest way to head off being targeted, if you pay attention.

Living in a affluent (but less affluent than the first place I mentioned) DMV suburb, the same exact group people would come around and literally ring the neighborhood door bells for handouts - they didn't even have a spiel for asking for money, they just did. As if to say - "you live in a nice house, hand over some money". GTF off my doorstep before I shoot you.

Anonymous wrote:
It’s actually illegal for him to see a person in need and deny them help,

The Supreme Court of the US says the opposite.

Begone troll.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow that's cold

Open your door to a random person late at night and let us know how that works out for you.

+1

It’s gotta suck to live where opening your door is a risk. I’d move.

Anonymous wrote:I absolutely think you did the right thing. Her story doesn’t add up and you should trust your gut.

Since your area has a lot of recent breakins, I’d consider reaching out to the police (non-emergency) and see if this fits a pattern. I might also suggest talking to the neighbors about it. You might even want to reconsider a Ring or other camera system.

I'd do the same but call your local precinct directly and ask to speak with the detective working on the break ins. Don't just call 311.

I'd definitely get a Ring for front and back doors, I think DC and nearby counties offer a rebate that covers the cost.

Talk to neighbors and also post on Next Door and/or any neighborhood listserve.

Anonymous wrote:Wow that's cold

Open your door to a random person late at night and let us know how that works out for you.