How to let a thief know I'm on to her?

LegacyUser

I've shared an apartment for a few years now in Cork city with another girl. While I wouldn't really call her a friend, the apartment is handy for work and closeby to family and friends so I'm happy to stay put. She can be very loud and she has had serious BO problems but they are whole other issues. On the whole we get on ok.

Last year I got some vouchers for an upmarket shop. €100 to be precise made up in five multiples of €20. I had left these in the living room amongst other stuff and they vanished. All bar one solitary voucher of €20. I made a big fuss of looking for them and altough I said nothing at the time as I wasn't going to accuse her but I certainly had my suspicions that she took them. All my friends have commented that she comes across as pretty jealous of me. (Incidentally I sound like a conceited bitch saying that but I just want to give you background)

For my birthday early this year I got 2 different vouchers of €50 each for a gorgeous hairdressers in town. These have been in my room in two seperate little bags now for quite a few months and I have been keeping them for Christmas so I can get a lovely haircut for the holidays. I went to put them in my purse this evening having made an appointment and guess what? One of the vouchers is gone. (She had her hair done there recently - bit of a surprise as she is quite tight with money).

I'm not prepared to move out. This is my home and it would be a big upheavel and something I'm not prepared to do. It's handy and we get on ok as we don't live in each others hair. And also, although my blood is boiling and I am really upset about all of this, I can't come outright and actually accuse her. She will deny it and then it will just cause unbearable tension and I can't live like that. She's not going to admit it is she?

Is there a way of me gently letting her know that I know it was her (and I have no proof) but without actually coming out with it and accusing her? Like I say I feel it is very mean and very nasty but yet I feel if I say it directly it will end up in a huge argument and I don't need. Any ideras?

Any help really gratefully appreciated!

Neyite

god she is horrible if she did that.

would the hairdressers have any record of the voucher - either a sequential numbering to the other one you have, or be able to tell you that your flatmates appointment was when it was redeemed?

other than that, lock your room door and dont leave anything of value out. you cant accuse her unless you have absolute proof, and if you do, it will create a terrible atmosphere for you to live in.

LegacyUser

No, I wish they did. It's a really fancy hairdressers and there's not even a barcode or anything, it's done on fancy paper etc. I'm quite scatter-brained and a couple of times now I have caught her out trying to con me out of money (oh did you give me money for that thing??) or taking something of mine and suddenly "remembering" she took it after I knew she took it and confronted her. So I am sure she thinks I wouldn't notice a voucher missing. Am so upset but I know its her and I have no proof (and the stinking bitch knows that too)

whatdoicare

Only thing you can do is set a trap for her.

Go to a hairdresser/beautician/spa where you know someone working there - tell them you have suspicions that yr roomie is stealing vouchers off you and get them to maybe make up a few fake vouchers for you/ buy vouchers that are marked by them somehow. (of course promise to actually buy real ones to make up for their time and effort)
Leave them where u left the hair ones.
Have it that the haidresser/beautician/spa person takes the girls "details" (this is nothing unusual - most hairdressers keep a hair dye chart, beauticians keep a face map chart) before the service provided.

Have them ring/text you straight away and let you know and then have them turn the girl away saying the voucher has your name on it. She'll know she's busted and if it's not the roomie, whoevers name is on it stole it or if fake name, whatever description they give.

Forgot to say - if you want to catch her red handed - actually pay for the voucher and when spa/hair/beauty person rings go straight in and confront her?


That's what I'd do anyway.

Magenta

whatdoicare wrote: »

Only thing you can do is set a trap for her.

Go to a hairdresser/beautician/spa where you know someone working there - tell them you have suspicions that yr roomie is stealing vouchers off you and get them to maybe make up a few fake vouchers for you/ buy vouchers that are marked by them somehow. (of course promise to actually buy real ones to make up for their time and effort)
Leave them where u left the hair ones.
Have it that the haidresser/beautician/spa person takes the girls "details" (this is nothing unusual - most hairdressers keep a hair dye chart, beauticians keep a face map chart) before the service provided.

Have them ring/text you straight away and let you know and then have them turn the girl away saying the voucher has your name on it. She'll know she's busted and if it's not the roomie, whoevers name is on it stole it or if fake name, whatever description they give.

Forgot to say - if you want to catch her red handed - actually pay for the voucher and when spa/hair/beauty person rings go straight in and confront her?


That's what I'd do anyway.

What about the hairdresser/beautician's job? They would get in serious trouble if they were caught making up fake vouchers/breaching client discretion.

whatdoicare

Magenta wrote: »

What about the hairdresser/beautician's job? They would get in serious trouble if they were caught making up fake vouchers/breaching client discretion.

So, pay for real vouchers and have the beautician/hairdresser call if anyone except the OP is using them. Someone who steals a voucher can't still come under client discretion, can it?
Otherwise just have anyone who's buying her vouchers in future explain to the shop that only the person who's name is on the voucher can use the voucher and proof of id is required. Have them actually write it on the voucher.

nimrodsson

As traps go, there is way to many variables in that, imo - as its based on the fact that the OP knows someone in that business so well that they'd carry out a sting operatoin for her!

Less variables, and less people involved the better. I havent thought these suggestions through but,if you wanted to trap her. You could
a) install a camera in your room - they are very chap these days, and then lay some bait. Thing with thieves is that they always get greedy and hence, so if she feels you haven't noticed the last one go missing, then she'll do it again - guaranteed. Then if she steals something, you confront her and tell her to move out or you'll call the guards.
b) Lay voucher bait, but arrange it in some way that you'll know its been moved. Write a note in it that you know she has been stealing! She'll only ever see it if she's been stealing!

niceoneted

I would say to her that the voucher is missing and ask her if there had been any friends of hers or strangers - repair men in - to see what she says. Say how it's now the second time that it has happened and that you will have to contact the guards about it.
Question if the landlord/agent had been in. Query it as if to ask who would be doing this, would the other apartments keys work in our door. By doing this you are letting her know that you know they have been stolen but your not accusing her.
Then use this as a means of explaining that you will be locking your door from there on in, and lock your room when you are out.

aidan24326

niceoneted wrote: »

I would say to her that the voucher is missing and ask her if there had been any friends of hers or strangers - repair men in - to see what she says. Say how it's now the second time that it has happened and that you will have to contact the guards about it.
Question if the landlord/agent had been in. Query it as if to ask who would be doing this, would the other apartments keys work in our door. By doing this you are letting her know that you know they have been stolen but your not accusing her.
Then use this as a means of explaining that you will be locking your door from there on in, and lock your room when you are out.

+1 to that. That's exactly what I would do.

nimrodsson

niceoneted wrote: »

I would say to her that the voucher is missing and ask her if there had been any friends of hers or strangers - repair men in - to see what she says. Say how it's now the second time that it has happened and that you will have to contact the guards about it.
Question if the landlord/agent had been in. Query it as if to ask who would be doing this, would the other apartments keys work in our door. By doing this you are letting her know that you know they have been stolen but your not accusing her.
Then use this as a means of explaining that you will be locking your door from there on in, and lock your room when you are out.

Yep, good idea.

whatsamsn

Op, I can give some good advice on this one
First off your roommate isnt a foolish as she may appear. But at the same time isnt a smart as she thinks she is. There is a common pattern in the two seperate incidents and that is time. She only takes things that have been laying around and not used for a while. She foolishingly thinks you have forgotten about them. Which also means she is looking in your room. Its not a simple "ohhh i'll take that" thing.



As I see it you've got 3 options (more so 2)

- Confront her... which lets be honest this wont lead to any truth what so ever, then being told a bunch of lies and will just end up no-where.
- Give her the rub .... you could give her the rub that you know she has been stealing from you. In a round about way. This is 50/50 tho. She might get wide to not steal from you again out of fear of being caught. Or she might just be more sneaky about it. I would see the latter happening. Giving it a few months then back to taking things here or there.
- Trap... Your best option. Hopefully I dont sound like a ponce here... but the idea of a trap is to eliminate potential variables. In other words to catch them out 100%. For example you leave another voucher in your room that you think she would take. The variable is that she is likely to use it around the same time she takes it. Even that day or to even hide it well in her room. So catching it her red handed can be hard.... unless you be smart.

• Camera? - probably the best thing. Might be excessive. Which it is. She is stealing from you and highly unlikely to admit it or find it on her. Problem is tho she has a pattern to only take things after they've been around a while as you are "less likely" to remember. So potentially the camera has to be set up for a few weeks.... month or two even. but ...... GREED op its a powerful thing I can gurantee you that if you suddenly happened to get a "christmas present" of €500 euros worth of vouchers all spread over €20euro vouchers (which these vouchers arent worth the paper they are printed on - photoshop is a great tool ) you'll soon find one or two going missing very soon After all "you wouldnt miss one or two would you?"

LegacyUser

whatsamsn wrote: »

Op, I can give some good advice on this one
First off your roommate isnt a foolish as she may appear. But at the same time isnt a smart as she thinks she is. There is a common pattern in the two seperate incidents and that is time. She only takes things that have been laying around and not used for a while. She foolishingly thinks you have forgotten about them. Which also means she is looking in your room. Its not a simple "ohhh i'll take that" thing.



As I see it you've got 3 options (more so 2)

- Confront her... which lets be honest this wont lead to any truth what so ever, then being told a bunch of lies and will just end up no-where.
- Give her the rub .... you could give her the rub that you know she has been stealing from you. In a round about way. This is 50/50 tho. She might get wide to not steal from you again out of fear of being caught. Or she might just be more sneaky about it. I would see the latter happening. Giving it a few months then back to taking things here or there.
- Trap... Your best option. Hopefully I dont sound like a ponce here... but the idea of a trap is to eliminate potential variables. In other words to catch them out 100%. For example you leave another voucher in your room that you think she would take. The variable is that she is likely to use it around the same time she takes it. Even that day or to even hide it well in her room. So catching it her red handed can be hard.... unless you be smart.

• Camera? - probably the best thing. Might be excessive. Which it is. She is stealing from you and highly unlikely to admit it or find it on her. Problem is tho she has a pattern to only take things after they've been around a while as you are "less likely" to remember. So potentially the camera has to be set up for a few weeks.... month or two even. but ...... GREED op its a powerful thing I can gurantee you that if you suddenly happened to get a "christmas present" of €500 euros worth of vouchers all spread over €20euro vouchers (which these vouchers arent worth the paper they are printed on - photoshop is a great tool ) you'll soon find one or two going missing very soon After all "you wouldnt miss one or two would you?"

Thanks very much to everyone who has contributed. I would normally 'thank' you but have gone unreg.

Because she hasn't an original idea in her head she has started using boards so there is a chance she may be reading this thread (which if you are, you are a deceitful thieving PATHETIC loser with deep-seated anger and insecurity issues who deserves everything that's coming to you - karma is a bitch baby)

Two questions. How do I give her the rub? How do I let her know that I know she has invaded my personal space and robbed from me?

And where do I get one of these cameras? How much would it be?

I'm so upset about this.

LegacyUser

Thanks everyone for all your replies, I appreciate the input. I would never even go into her room so the concept of going through my stuff is alien to me. She has pretty serious issues however so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I just couldn't steal from someone.

whatsamsn, you have it spot on. She has obviously been keeping an eye on my stuff which would suggest regular rifling. How do I go about "giving her the rub" and "in a roundabout way"? How can I do this best? How do I let her know I know?

And also where can I get a little camera? Are they expensive?

Neyite

oooh!
I really like the idea of fake vouchers.

do up your own on photoshop for a very upmarket shop making sure that they are either nothing like the ones they have or a passable fake and do about €300 in smaller €20 denominations (she is banking on the fact that you dont miss the one or two)

post a christmas card with a distinctive colour envelope to yourself with them from a pretend friend, and make sure you open it in front of her, along with other bills etc. then just be all blasé and say 'bill, another bill oh, more vouchers, another bill' and no more.

leave them lying around in your room - not too obvious, but somewhere that she cant pretend she noticed if she happend to come in to talk to you (and borrowed, but somewhere she would have to snoop). somewhere like in a jewellery box.

if she presents them for payment for a big bill, she will get a rude shock when they tell her they are fakes and she has to pay. its not like she can confront you about it after, and you might have been given them as a gag gift from a friend for a laugh, right?

Squiggler

Lock your door, first and foremost.

I had problems with a flatmate once, well, don't know if it was her or her friends, but there were always a lot of people around when I wasn't there (at work or whatever) and sometimes when she wasn't even there. When I realised this I started locking my door when I wasn't there.

A day later she asked me why I locked my door (she hadn't seen or heard me doing it so must have tried to open it at some point). I turned, gave her a big smile and asked her how she had discovered that I had locked it. She went bright red.

After that I kept the door locked when I wasn't there and everything I owned that was of value in my room. Problem solved. No more missing stuff.

JonathanAnon

tbh, whether you set a trap for her or not.. I dont think I would feel comfortable living with someone who would steal from me.. Have you considered moving out?

Fluorescence

Neyite wrote: »

oooh!
I really like the idea of fake vouchers.

I love this idea.

Tbh, whether you set a trap for her or not.. I dont think I would feel comfortable living with someone who would steal from me.. Have you considered moving out?

I also agree with this. I know you said it's convenient for you to live with her as you get along well enough most of the time and aren't in each other's hair, but that doesn't make up for the fact she's a lying, thieving bitch who's taking advantage of your weakness (scatterbrained-ness). For all you know this could be only the icing on the cake! If she was slipping a 5er here and there from you, would you realise? I'm not saying it's true I'm just pointing out possibilities. I wouldn't be happy living there even if I did keep my room locked

LegacyUser

fluorescence wrote: »

I love this idea.



I also agree with this. I know you said it's convenient for you to live with her as you get along well enough most of the time and aren't in each other's hair, but that doesn't make up for the fact she's a lying, thieving bitch who's taking advantage of your weakness (scatterbrained-ness). For all you know this could be only the icing on the cake! If she was slipping a 5er here and there from you, would you realise? I'm not saying it's true I'm just pointing out possibilities. I wouldn't be happy living there even if I did keep my room locked

I know, its quite hurtful that she thinks its ok to do this to be honest, I wouldn't dream of it. And if she was dipping into my purse I honestly wouldn't notice as like I say, I can be very scatty, so she could actually be robbing me blind.

I guess I may have to give some thought to moving out. I shouldn't have to lock down my possessions for fear of them being taken.

It's the fact that she feels she has got away with it that makes me sick. It's awful not being able to have it out with her

Fluorescence

So angry wrote: »

It's the fact that she feels she has got away with it that makes me sick. It's awful not being able to have it out with her

Hmmm, I think it's important to always acknowledge that you have choices in every situation in life. Many of them are awful choices and not worth considering, but that doesn't mean they're not there. You can have it out with her if you really want, but it's probably not a good choice to make. If you do move out though, I'd leave her a letter detailing how you know what a thieving skank she is, and then walk away for good. If nothing else it'd make you feel better :P

seenitall

I feel for you, OP.

I was a victim of thieving (cash, in my case) by someone I lived with and trusted. Your posts bring back memories of the utter betrayal, resentment and helplessness I felt. In my case, as in yours, there was no proof, but I actually do know at all times how much cash I have in my wallet (my mind just automatically registers these things), a fact that the thief wasn't aware of.

Anyway, as there was no proof, I had to let it go and move on. But I would dearly have gone for some kind of payback/punishment if it had been possible!

It is actually easier on you if you let it go and move out and move on; but the trick is the question are you are able to?

whatsamsn

So angry wrote: »

whatsamsn, you have it spot on. She has obviously been keeping an eye on my stuff which would suggest regular rifling. How do I go about "giving her the rub" and "in a roundabout way"? How can I do this best? How do I let her know I know?

And also where can I get a little camera? Are they expensive?

Spy Cameras can be expensive. Anything from €60 - €200 and when you think about it would you really be willing to spend that much? I know its the best thing. She cant argue when caught when evidence. But another easier and cheaper solution would be better.

As for giving her the rub. Its pretty simple. Talk about what went missing and asked did she see them.. then just drop the rub. It can be how you say it or just what you say.

I reckon you should get some fake vouchers done up. Anyone you know with even the smallest photoshop experience could do it for you. Heck, even a person on boards.ie could lol.

WhodahWoodah

OP there's a thread on here somewhere from a guy who went on holidays. He was worried about burglars so he set up an IP video camera trained on his kitchen or hallway or something. He said the IP camera was pretty cheap. He ended up catching his landlord coming in and going around the house without permission when he wasn't there. I'll try to find the link for you.

The IP camera is activated by movement. If activated it records video until the movement ceases and it instantly emails you the first few seconds of the video. It uses Wireless Broadband I believe, so I hope you have that. If you have a phone that's set up to receive email you could find out instantly if she goes into your room. And you'd also have video evidence should you decide to take this further.

Also, if you have hard evidence, you'd be well within your rights to ask her to move out, fumigate her BO saturated room, and get a nice, honest, shower enthusiast to live with instead. How nice!

Last thing is that when I was younger I had a Room Guard which was essentially a 2 foot tall plastic Hopper from Antz or A Bug's Life. You'd set him looking at the inside of your bedroom door and if someone came in and didn't deactivate him with a sequence, he'd start screaming "Hey! You! Get out! This is Hopper territory!" etc and he'd get more and more worked up for ages. He'd stop eventually, but when you got home he'd tell you there'd been an intruder so you'd know to ask her why she was in your room. Also the comedy factor would be mighty!!!

Actually, get Hopper AND the IP Camera and then put her reaction when Hopper starts screaming at her up on YouTube after you evict her!

ziedth

I really like the fake voucher idea,

my advice if your not good with photoshop would be to set up a new email account and ask for boardsies to email you a quick knock up one for a fancy clothes shop (with mods premession needed maybe) and print it on the best quality paper you can find about 160 or 250 gram. I would be ok at it but I'm sure someone here could do something 100 times better then me.

Like what was said leave them in the "fake card" in your
room on the table and wait for it.

LegacyUser

I don't think the fake voucher idea is a good one.

There are repercussions beyond embarassing her. Unless you have the express permission of the business owner.

How would you react as a business owner if someone attempted to pay with professionally produced forged gift vouchers bearing your company name? I know if it were me the Gardai would be on scene sharpish. And they would want to know who produced them, etc.

shinikins

OP, have you a laptop or are you using a pc? You can download programs that will basically allow you to use your computer like a motion activated camera, and capture images of your housemate when she's rummaging through your stuff. Set a trap, as suggested but before you do, set up your pc/laptop as so http://www.engadget.com/2005/02/22/how-to-turn-your-laptop-into-a-home-security-system/
Good luck!!:)

Neyite

Forgery? Fraud? wrote: »

I don't think the fake voucher idea is a good one.

There are repercussions beyond embarassing her. Unless you have the express permission of the business owner.

How would you react as a business owner if someone attempted to pay with professionally produced forged gift vouchers bearing your company name? I know if it were me the Gardai would be on scene sharpish. And they would want to know who produced them, etc.

nobody on this thread said that the OP should duplicate a shops voucher, that is wrong. they are saying that she should make good ones of a totally different design that the flatmate would think they are genuine, but that the shop would know instantly that they are not theirs.

this girl is a thief. she deserves all she gets to be honest. if a shop decides to call the gardai, then she had it coming. but a shop wont call the gardai - if i walked in with a hand-drawn €50 and tried to pay with it i would be told to pay with cash and it would mortify the b!tch.

but if the girl is stealing vouchers, she will also be pilfering other stuff too - bit of change here and there, food, clothes, makeup, and even if you lock your door, i would feel disgusted if i thought someone was having a good snoop through my things when im not there, even if the door gets locked, you would always worry if you left anything of value out.

i would look into getting new flatmates to be honest.

whatsamsn

Forgery? Fraud? wrote: »

I don't think the fake voucher idea is a good one.

There are repercussions beyond embarassing her. Unless you have the express permission of the business owner.

How would you react as a business owner if someone attempted to pay with professionally produced forged gift vouchers bearing your company name? I know if it were me the Gardai would be on scene sharpish. And they would want to know who produced them, etc.

I agree with Neyite.
Its not forgery. Heck one could even create a fake shopping centre voucher. Something that would be micky mouse to anyone who works in a shop but would look legit to anyone none the wiser.

BettePorter

Neyite wrote: »

if she presents them for payment for a big bill, she will get a rude shock when they tell her they are fakes and she has to pay. its not like she can confront you about it after, and you might have been given them as a gag gift from a friend for a laugh, right?

i think any variation of the fake voucher is a genius idea. . but i do see some problem with the shops reaction though. I mean if someone presents me with an obviously different voucher to the ones i give from my business..... but with my name / address etc i wouldn't just leave it there......who knows how many people have them !

To stop this from being an issue i would do the following; Go ahead and make up the fake voucher of the posh place.....but when you put down the number of the place......replace it with someone elses landline....your mates/ your mothers, yours sisters.......and make a note that an appointment must be made by phone........and wait for her to call. My suggestion is to plant the voucher where she will fall over it basically and have the validity of the voucher expiring in the next week or so, then you'll not be waiting months for her call ! She'll find the voucher, reckon you've forgotten it anyway and won't be able to resist.


of course just in relation to when she previously stole the vouchers , you could just scare the **** out of her by taking a call in front of her, and then telling her ' ****, that was my hairdressers......i reported a voucher stolen and they just called to say they've got video footage of when it was used...can i go down to have a look !!!! then watch her face !!!!!!

whatsamsn

BettePorter wrote: »

of course just in relation to when she previously stole the vouchers , you could just scare the **** out of her by taking a call in front of her, and then telling her ' ****, that was my hairdressers......i reported a voucher stolen and they just called to say they've got video footage of when it was used...can i go down to have a look !!!! then watch her face !!!!!!

Cleaver. Devious. I like it
lol.

username123

Has anyone considered the possibility that its not the flatmate but some other person who is responsible?

OP - you need proof that its the flatmate. To that end if I were you Id go with the camera, fake vouchers or some other trap.
The trap needs to be cast iron, can leave no doubt. I do think a camera is the best option.

Im sure it is the flatmate but without proof there is always the chance it isnt her.

Once you have proof you can have it out with her, call the guards, move out, kick her out, whatever.

nimrodsson

Of course, the things is... everyone is focusing on the vouchers! The flatmate (as we assume) stole them, she might not go near vouchers again! She might think, hmm... i've taken a good few vouchers already... and might not take any again! If it was her, i'm guessing she has pretty regular snoops around the OP's room - as in, anytime she is out she probably ducks in for a quick look see. I'd imagine that anything of value, that is small, appears neglected and is easy currency would be up for grabs. So that might widen the parameters for any potential 'trap'...

Neyite

nimrodsson wrote: »

Of course, the things is... everyone is focusing on the vouchers! The flatmate (as we assume) stole them, she might not go near vouchers again! She might think, hmm... i've taken a good few vouchers already... and might not take any again! If it was her, i'm guessing she has pretty regular snoops around the OP's room - as in, anytime she is out she probably ducks in for a quick look see. I'd imagine that anything of value, that is small, appears neglected and is easy currency would be up for grabs. So that might widen the parameters for any potential 'trap'...

true.. like i said earlier, she probably thinks nothing of swiping a bit of change or what not. ive shared with people like this before, they think nothing of 'borrowing' your clothes, perfume, makeup, food, on a day to day basis. its not a stretch for them to swipe a voucher that is thought forgotton about. these are also the type to pilfer at work if they get the chance (..pretending to pass it off as perks, or even to 'make up' for crap wages)

really, the only way of making your stuff thief proof is to lock it up securely. but this OP did say she wanted to catch this person out -video footage of her snooping would be the ultimate, if it could be set up, but even then, the flatmate could still pretend she went in to the OPs room for above-board reasons, like needing a safety pin, or tampax or something.

I really hope she catches her red-handed. I cant stand people who take other peoples stuff.

LegacyUser

Thanks so much for replies everyone, I really appreciate everyone's advice and have taken it all on board.

My main thing is to let her know that I KNOW she has been stealing from me. If she does steal again it might be months and I'm not sure I'm that patient. I did catch her stealing something of value before (it disappeared and I noticed a day after it was gone, nobody had been in the apartment), and while she denied any knowledge when I mentioned getting the landlord involved as the neighbours must be thieving, she suddenly back-tracked and "remembered" that she "may" have borrowed it but had to go and check.

I don't know if she will try it again, I'm sure she will but it would mean me looking over my shoulder. And I love the idea of a camera but why should I have to go ot hat expense?

I've decided to get a great big lock drilled into my bedroom door in the next few days which I can lock from the outside. If she asks I'll just say some stuff has gone missing and "you can never be too careful these days", while smiling sweetly at her. That's me acknowldedging that I know (although a friend said I might as well go around with a placard it's so obvious) without outright accusing her. Another friend said her reaction to it will be interesting....

amdublin

Oh for god's sake will you eveer stop going on about trapping her or doing a rub or something silly. You're a grown adult and this isn't a Famous Five book

Either:

Move out
or
Lock your door (and keep all valuables in your room)

You said it yourself you are quite scatterbrained. Sure you could have put them somewhere else. Stop focussing on her and focus on yourself with the actions above.

Moomoo1

Forgery? Fraud? wrote: »

I don't think the fake voucher idea is a good one.

There are repercussions beyond embarassing her. Unless you have the express permission of the business owner.

How would you react as a business owner if someone attempted to pay with professionally produced forged gift vouchers bearing your company name? I know if it were me the Gardai would be on scene sharpish. And they would want to know who produced them, etc.

I always thought that forging things is not a crime. It's attempting to use the forgieries.

ie I can sit in my house and draw fake banknotes for as long as I like, it's when I try to use them in for example shops that it becomes criminal activity

funkey_monkey

And what will you do if/when you catch this person red handed?

Will you notify the guards - probably not as I'm pretty sure your method of entrapment will not stand up in court.
Will you have it out with her and demand money back for previous losses - doubt it as you cannot prove the previous offences were carried out by her.
Will you move out - why not do it now and get it over with?
Will you ask her to leave - again, why not do it now?

I really feel sorry for you in this instance, theft is a horrible thing, but please look to the end point - what will you do when you find the culprit and what do you then expect to happen?

The expense of a camera and the hassle of the vouchers - what will they do for you that will change your current mindset? Regardless you don't/can't trust this person. I strongly advise that you cut to the chase and one of you leave the property, because when the camera/vouchers do their job that will be the next step.

Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes.

LegacyUser

Get one of those cheap spy cameras on ebay. They only cost 15-20 quid and its the only way you will have 100% evidence oh her thieving.

You could lock your room and all that but you're better off knowing what she's really up to. I couldn't bare to live with someone who would go into my room, nevermind stealing my stuff. Catch her red handed with the camera

cossy09

OP you started your story with

I've shared an apartment for a few years now in Cork city with another girl. While I wouldn't really call her a friend, the apartment is handy for work and closeby to family and friends so I'm happy to stay put. She can be very loud and she has had serious BO problems but they are whole other issues. On the whole we get on ok.

How is BO problems even relevant here??

You seem very paranoid to me perhaps rightly so but lets be honest I know we are in a recession but you are making all this fuss over 2 vouchers worth €70euro (hardly the crime of the century??)

I would tend to agree with amdublins post

Oh for god's sake will you eveer stop going on about trapping her or doing a rub or something silly. You're a grown adult and this isn't a Famous Five book

Either:

Move out
or
Lock your door (and keep all valuables in your room)

You said it yourself you are quite scatterbrained. Sure you could have put them somewhere else. Stop focussing on her and focus on yourself with the actions above.


Just my tuppence worth. Sorry if its not what you want to hear but there are IMO 2 sides to every story

cossy

pickarooney

Ring, or get someone to ring, from the 'salon' and tell her there has been a run of forgeries on the vouchers and they're investigating. Ask her if she bought her voucher from the salon directly or got them from a friend.

dudara

The idea of fake vouchers is farcical and downright stupid. Don't even go there.

OP - you need absolute proof before you go accusing someone. Right now, all you have is your feeling about this. You mention yourself that you are scatterbrained at times. Combine this with the fact that you left some vouchers lying around the sitting room and I see room for doubt here. (Mind you, I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying that there's room for doubt).

You clearly don't seem to like living with this person, so why don't you pack up and get out? Or do you prefer to thrive on the drama?

Either way, keep your possessions in your room and lock the door. I think that's pretty standard behaviour in a house share anyway.

As for dealing with her, you can ask her if she has seen two vouchers of yours that have gone missing. Straight out. Don't try to be all "Famous Five" about trapping her or conning her- those stories come from children's books and that's where they belong.

LegacyUser

So angry wrote: »

And also where can I get a little camera? Are they expensive?

Do you have a laptop with webcam in your room ?

Then this will suffice:
Linky

generalmental

whatsamsn wrote: »

As I see it you've got 3 options (more so 2)

- Confront her... which lets be honest this wont lead to any truth what so ever, then being told a bunch of lies and will just end up no-where.
- Give her the rub .... you could give her the rub that you know she has been stealing from you. In a round about way. This is 50/50 tho. She might get wide to not steal from you again out of fear of being caught. Or she might just be more sneaky about it. I would see the latter happening. Giving it a few months then back to taking things here or there.
- Trap... Your best option. Hopefully I dont sound like a ponce here... but the idea of a trap is to eliminate potential variables. In other words to catch them out 100%. For example you leave another voucher in your room that you think she would take. The variable is that she is likely to use it around the same time she takes it. Even that day or to even hide it well in her room. So catching it her red handed can be hard.... unless you be smart.

• Camera? - probably the best thing. Might be excessive. Which it is. She is stealing from you and highly unlikely to admit it or find it on her. Problem is tho she has a pattern to only take things after they've been around a while as you are "less likely" to remember. So potentially the camera has to be set up for a few weeks.... month or two even. but ...... GREED op its a powerful thing I can gurantee you that if you suddenly happened to get a "christmas present" of €500 euros worth of vouchers all spread over €20euro vouchers (which these vouchers arent worth the paper they are printed on - photoshop is a great tool ) you'll soon find one or two going missing very soon After all "you wouldnt miss one or two would you?"

A Beautiful Mind, remind me never to get on your bad side

Ickle Magoo

Please keep replies on topic and helpful to the OP.

Please take the time to read the forum rules in the charter.

Many thanks.
Ickle