A penny for your thoughts...

sheepherder · 08-04-2025, 05:16 PM

I live in a rural area, houses not really close together, that gets some strange visitors. Drunks banging on the front doors in middle of the night; cars smashing into a culvert and barrel-rolling down the street, taking out three mailboxes, part of a fence, and a 'Curve Ahead' sign; a young lady running into the drainage ditch and taking out a tree on the way; bikers running out of gas and looking for help or gas (at 3:30am); etc.

Today, I opened my front door to find a nice shiny dime on my front step. I immediately suspected hobos or Jehovah's Witnesses, but Googled the scenario to see if it was worse.

And Google mentioned (along with good luck wishes) that it was an old thieves trick to determine if anyone was in residence, or on vacation, or away from home.

So I called the Sheriff and a deputy came out and we talked. No other reports of suspicious activity.

So...Has anyone else had an occurrence like this that resulted in theft or vandalism or whatever???

Yes, I'm paranoid. But am I paranoid enough?...

gunbugs · 08-04-2025, 11:48 PM

Set up a couple of trail cameras where they won't be noticed. You will at least see who's "stopping by".

velodog455~ · 08-05-2025, 10:07 AM

Good advice from gunbugs. I think you should take the dime, replace it with a quarter, and see if it disappears.

If so, that would enhance MY paranoia.
-Bob

Karl · 08-05-2025, 10:23 AM

Good suggestions above. If you do not already have one, I would add a few motion-detector operated spotlights.

KFS

kzullick · 08-05-2025, 12:37 PM

Replace the dime with a used shotgun shell.

Kiwi · 08-05-2025, 03:36 PM

Superglue the dime in place

rhuff · 08-05-2025, 03:49 PM

A bit of paranoia is a good thing to have in this World today....especially if you live alone as some of us do.

sheepherder · 08-05-2025, 04:20 PM

Interesting idea, the trail cams. My nephew uses them, he's a hunter, I'll get his advice.

Someone may have already been inside my house. I've noticed a few odd things; cabinets I never use not closed fully, things I use not put quite where I would leave them. Nothing missing I can think of, but I might not notice.

Or I may just be imagining things. Old people get that way, I'm told.

Thanks to all who replied!

ithacaartist · 08-05-2025, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwi

Superglue the dime in place

Lol! Beat me to it!

gunbugs · 08-05-2025, 11:04 PM

As the old saying goes,"Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you." Be aware of your surroundings, always.

calibrator · 08-09-2025, 12:27 PM

While it doesn't apply to my environment, I was made aware of this trick a few years ago. If you park in your attached garage with an electric door opener. A thief will prop a 12" piece of 2X4 against the door on either side. When you open it to pull out, the 2X4 falls flat. Then when you close the door, it senses the obstruction and re-opens.

If you drive off and don't wait to actually see the door stay closed for good, the thief enters, removes the 2X4 and gains access to the house after closing the door for privacy. They can leave the same way, and not leave any trace of how they actually gained entrance.

08-04-2025, 05:16 PM	#1
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,208 Thanks: 1,425 Thanked 4,474 Times in 2,343 Posts	A penny for your thoughts... I live in a rural area, houses not really close together, that gets some strange visitors. Drunks banging on the front doors in middle of the night; cars smashing into a culvert and barrel-rolling down the street, taking out three mailboxes, part of a fence, and a 'Curve Ahead' sign; a young lady running into the drainage ditch and taking out a tree on the way; bikers running out of gas and looking for help or gas (at 3:30am); etc. Today, I opened my front door to find a nice shiny dime on my front step. I immediately suspected hobos or Jehovah's Witnesses, but Googled the scenario to see if it was worse. And Google mentioned (along with good luck wishes) that it was an old thieves trick to determine if anyone was in residence, or on vacation, or away from home. So I called the Sheriff and a deputy came out and we talked. No other reports of suspicious activity. So...Has anyone else had an occurrence like this that resulted in theft or vandalism or whatever??? Yes, I'm paranoid. But am I paranoid enough?... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter... Last edited by sheepherder; 08-04-2025 at 07:16 PM.

08-05-2025, 03:49 PM	#7
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,314 Thanks: 2,746 Thanked 998 Times in 733 Posts	A bit of paranoia is a good thing to have in this World today....especially if you live alone as some of us do. __________________ Need DWM breechblock #21

08-05-2025, 04:20 PM	#8
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,208 Thanks: 1,425 Thanked 4,474 Times in 2,343 Posts	Interesting idea, the trail cams. My nephew uses them, he's a hunter, I'll get his advice. Someone may have already been inside my house. I've noticed a few odd things; cabinets I never use not closed fully, things I use not put quite where I would leave them. Nothing missing I can think of, but I might not notice. Or I may just be imagining things. Old people get that way, I'm told. Thanks to all who replied! __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

08-04-2025, 11:48 PM	#2
gunbugs Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose. Posts: 681 Thanks: 375 Thanked 1,227 Times in 414 Posts	Set up a couple of trail cameras where they won't be noticed. You will at least see who's "stopping by".

08-05-2025, 10:07 AM	#3
velodog455~ User Join Date: Aug 2023 Posts: 100 Thanks: 28 Thanked 89 Times in 52 Posts	Good advice from gunbugs. I think you should take the dime, replace it with a quarter, and see if it disappears. If so, that would enhance MY paranoia. -Bob

08-05-2025, 10:23 AM	#4
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 531 Thanks: 0 Thanked 280 Times in 123 Posts	Good suggestions above. If you do not already have one, I would add a few motion-detector operated spotlights. KFS

08-05-2025, 12:37 PM	#5
kzullick Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: East Berwick, Pennsylvania Posts: 253 Thanks: 729 Thanked 113 Times in 87 Posts	Replace the dime with a used shotgun shell.

08-05-2025, 03:36 PM	#6
Kiwi User Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Wrong side of the Delaware river Posts: 335 Thanks: 235 Thanked 478 Times in 189 Posts	Superglue the dime in place

08-05-2025, 11:04 PM	#10
gunbugs Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose. Posts: 681 Thanks: 375 Thanked 1,227 Times in 414 Posts	As the old saying goes,"Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you." Be aware of your surroundings, always.

08-09-2025, 12:27 PM	#11
calibrator User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cave Creek Posts: 340 Thanks: 67 Thanked 271 Times in 108 Posts	While it doesn't apply to my environment, I was made aware of this trick a few years ago. If you park in your attached garage with an electric door opener. A thief will prop a 12" piece of 2X4 against the door on either side. When you open it to pull out, the 2X4 falls flat. Then when you close the door, it senses the obstruction and re-opens. If you drive off and don't wait to actually see the door stay closed for good, the thief enters, removes the 2X4 and gains access to the house after closing the door for privacy. They can leave the same way, and not leave any trace of how they actually gained entrance.