Very strange thing happened

[Piper's mom]

This is why I drive all my mail to the post office and mail it there, Sandy. There are so many stories of this happening now. Just not worth the risk.

A few years back, our house was vandalized by someone throwing eggs all over the front. I was home, and heard it but by the time I got outside they were gone. In the perfect irony, it turned out he vandalized our house by mistake...he meant to hit the house next door. Can you say criminals are stupid?!

In any event, it prompted us to get cameras. We have Blinks, from Amazon. I love them. You hook them up and they connect to your phone with wireless and yes, they work with Alexa too, Lisa. They come in all sizes and styles. I have minis indoors for when I leave the dogs and the outside ones all around the house. Mostly we catch wildlife on them but that's fine with me. As Sandy said, I also posted signs (also from Amazon) that say our property is monitored by cameras 24/7. I imagine you can get these from Amazon in Canada too. You can set the range and sensitivity, and they come with lights.

I’m not really interested in Ring…not sure if they hold a micro SD card and they’re a subscription service. Plus they provide footage to law enforcement (even the ones in your house ). I’m thinking of going with a company…I don’t have a lot of outside plugs (only 1 on the back of the house) and I want one on my side door, back of house and garage. The garage I doubt would be capable of being on wifi as it’s too far from the house.
The ones I have now would be great for indoors but outside they’re picking up things that aren’t there.
While I don’t have proof this was done by my sister I do believe it was and I want these cameras to be both visible, reliable and will catch anything further that may happen. If I have proof then I can get a restraining order against her.

 

[Piper's mom]

People really are nutso all over so... That is totally gross if someone threw sh** in your property... like why???!!!

I've had cameras for my chicken coop for years and I've had motion lights all around the house for many years as well. Last weekend, we updated the lights on both ends of the house to have both motion and tracking cameras. I do have a 4 camera Q See hardwired system that I always meant to install, but never got around to it. These cameras do both without a whole lot of extra stuff being installed. I installed this Eufy https://www.bestbuy.com/site/eufy-s...ce-camera-white-black/6465756.p?skuId=6465756 I have a Eufy doorbell camera and the coop cameras are Eufy and we've been happy. They don't require a subscription.

My creepy story... On July 25, I put 4 envelopes containing 7 checks in my mail box - put the flag up which I never do. We caught it on camera, but big deal since car or plates were most likely stolen - but a car made a loop around our road, then returned, slowed, stopped in front of our box, the passenger (in a hoody of course) reached into our bod, removed our mail and drove off. They 'washed' my checks meaning they used acetone or similar to remove the ink, made them out to other people and forged our signatures. HUGE deal as we were without money, debit cards, checks, for about 2 weeks. Had to close our accounts, get all new stuff, file police reports, etc. Very surprising because we live on a road at the top of a hill that many don't even know about. It's just a loop with 1 road off of it with 22 homes. Quiet, little to no crime in the 24 years we've been here. Our Eufy doorbell camera caught them while our neighbors ring camera doesn't reach to the street - and they are paying for a subscription. We had the cameras installed out last weekend an posted stickers saying our property is monitored - not that it makes a whole lot of difference to criminals.

Do NOT use your mail box flag!!!!

That’s terrible that that happened to you Sandy! You’re right..criminals don’t care!
Nor do crazy people.

 

[Sandy in CT]

This is why I drive all my mail to the post office and mail it there, Sandy.

And my mom told me stories about the blue boxes being stolen

Yes, I have been driving my mail now, Ann. And my cameras are on our phones too as Ann's are. Now, not only can I spy on my chickens when I am gone, I can keep tabs on the house!

When I reported it to the Postal Inspector, she told me not to use the blue boxes unless it was before pick up time. She told me even though there are theft deterrents built into those boxes, and even though they are on camera at night, she said it doesn't stop the criminal from stealing stuff out of those boxes. Think how much good these people could do in the world if they put their minds to doing something good!

 

[RikyR]

I had a fake check show up on my checking account. It was only for $12.97. My banker told me it was a test to see if I was checking my account. If it had went unnoticed, the next would be a big one. I check my account ever morning, and I use checks only when no other option is available. Nothing is safe anymore.

 

[Sharon7]

Good grief about the pile of poop. And here in CA we're like the rest of you - mail being stolen from home boxes and from the blue PO letter boxes. Important stuff gets driven to the PO, stuff like birthday cards I"ll still leave for the mail carrier to get.

 

[Piper's mom]

Good grief about the pile of poop. And here in CA we're like the rest of you - mail being stolen from home boxes and from the blue PO letter boxes. Important stuff gets driven to the PO, stuff like birthday cards I"ll still leave for the mail carrier to get.

Well at least things have been quiet lately here although I did get a phone call from my crazy sister (the one I highly suspect)…only rang once, just long enough to get the dogs barking. I don’t think it was an accident (it’s been at least 6 months since she called me so I’m not on her recent call log so doubt it was a pocket dial). Knowing how she thinks it was more likely just to get in my head.
I did get new cameras…Eufy ordered through Amazon and I must say I like them. They pick up the people walking by (sometimes cars too though) and I can access the info easily on my phone or iPad. Thanks Sandy for the recommendation…if my crazy sister comes by again I’ll catch her on camera this time.

 

[woof]

I had a fake check show up on my checking account. It was only for $12.97. My banker told me it was a test to see if I was checking my account. If it had went unnoticed, the next would be a big one. I check my account ever morning, and I use checks only when no other option is available. Nothing is safe anymore.

Years ago we had an major attempt on our bank account, it was caught in time thank goodness so we have since password protected our account and if any big checks come in we get a call from the bank or we call the bank and let them know it is coming- our bank has been good about this kind of thing.

 

[Sandy in CT]

Glad you like your Eufy cameras! We love ours!

 

[KarenCurtis]

I’m not really interested in Ring…not sure if they hold a micro SD card and they’re a subscription service. Plus they provide footage to law enforcement (even the ones in your house ). I’m thinking of going with a company…I don’t have a lot of outside plugs (only 1 on the back of the house) and I want one on my side door, back of house and garage. The garage I doubt would be capable of being on wifi as it’s too far from the house.
The ones I have now would be great for indoors but outside they’re picking up things that aren’t there.
While I don’t have proof this was done by my sister I do believe it was and I want these cameras to be both visible, reliable and will catch anything further that may happen. If I have proof then I can get a restraining order against her.

Are you sure a restraining order would work with your sister? Can she be violent? I do sympathize, I have family members who are not well.

 

[Piper's mom]

Are you sure a restraining order would work with your sister? Can she be violent? I do sympathize, I have family members who are not well.

The one thing that has stopped her in the past is getting the police involved. Years ago I had major issues with her, she actually threatened my life (said she was going to kill me…like I said she’s nuts) and after that I didn’t have any contact with her for 6 years.
She gets revenge by retaliation but I wouldn’t trust her not to put something in the yard.
Everything has been pretty quiet lately…..