What's the Scam Here? Someone Comes to the Door...

[cookie-monster]

and asks if they can mow the lawn for $20. Happened 3 times in the past 6 weeks or so. Not one of the three has had a lawnmower. Last one (tonight) came at nearly 9pm, so it was already getting dark (in Edmonton). Rode off on his bike when we said no (note: didn't ask next door).

How often has this happened to people? Just feels kinda odd that we've had them come to our house 3 times in a 6 weeks. Is the scam to do with getting inside the house, seeing what's worth stealing? Or something else?

[najibs]

It's called kids trying to make some extra bux. If you pay them after the lawn is mowed...how can you be scammed?

[cookie-monster]

Not kids. These are older guys, one of them looked like a homeless guy. And there's no lawnmower in sight.

So, am I being paranoid?

[Mad.Whack]

Not kids. These are older guys, one of them looked like a homeless guy. And there's no lawnmower in sight.

So, am I being paranoid?

He (or they) might want to rob your place and are checking if you are home.... Or you're just paranoid

[najibs]

Not kids. These are older guys, one of them looked like a homeless guy. And there's no lawnmower in sight.

So, am I being paranoid?

The mower might be ina pickup truck on another end of the street, meanwhile they go door to door trying to find who needs their lawn mowed. Tell them to mow the lawn, and you'll pay them once it's done. Simple.
Plus, don't expect someone coming to mow your lawn to be dressed in a suit, so just because they're dressed shaggy doesn't mean they're homeless.

[cko64]

One winter, three kids came to my door and asked if I want my sidewalk shovelled for $5. I said sure.

Five minutes later, they rang my door bell. I saw the sidewalk was done. I handed them a five dollar bill. They said...Five dollars EACH! $15 for 5 minute job. Smart kids. Fooled me once.

[najibs]

One winter, three kids came to my door and asked if I want my sidewalk shovelled. I said sure.

Five minutes later, they rang my door bell. I saw the sidewalk was done. I handed them a five dollar bill. They said...Five dollars EACH! $15 for 5 minute job. Smart kids. Fooled me once.

now that's sleeazy tactics...I wonder if the parents taught them that. It's tough to be rude to a little kid though, but if a teen or grown up did that to me, I'd most certainly tell them off.

[Carnage]

Should have ripped the $5 bill in 3 pieces and given each of them 1/3rd.

[dealguy2]

Total scam. Lock up your siznit.

[TrevorK]

He might have been expecting to use your mower?

[hugh_da_man]

isn't that the scam where they overpower whoever opens the door and then home invasion you?

The next time you open the door there will be two of them and they'll rush you.

[Flyer]

Did he start off with "Dearest Friend, my father is Nigerian royalty..."?

[TapemanPL]

well maybe they were planning on getting a couple of people that looked like they needed their lawn mowed to agree so that they could do everyone the next day when they do bring the mower, but it does seem kinda fishy since they would come so late when some people would just get pissed

[aquariaguy]

and asks if they can mow the lawn for $20. Happened 3 times in the past 6 weeks or so. Not one of the three has had a lawnmower. Last one (tonight) came at nearly 9pm, so it was already getting dark (in Edmonton). Rode off on his bike when we said no (note: didn't ask next door).

How often has this happened to people? Just feels kinda odd that we've had them come to our house 3 times in a 6 weeks. Is the scam to do with getting inside the house, seeing what's worth stealing? Or something else?

I would go on the side of caution. Everytime they ring, it's only YOU answering the door. So they know (or assume) only YOU live there. Like someone said, next time they ring, they will rush you if they don't expect anyone else.

[cookie-monster]

Well, we have two dogs (60lbs and 75lbs), and the bigger one looks like a Doberman (though she's a mutt), and a screen door that the bigger dog has bent and ripped up (replaced it once already) while barking at people coming to the door, so I'm not sure they'd really want to try and overpower me....

Maybe I'm just paranoid; it's just that that never happened when we lived in Toronto so it seems kinda odd.