Living with a shoplifter

LegacyUser

I am sharing a flat with 3 other girls, all in our 20's. I share a room with one of the girls. I didn't know her before I moved in. I have noticed for some time that items appear in the room such as new clothes or ornaments. When i ask her about them, she says she went shopping after work or met a cousin who gave her the item. I became suspicious when she claimed to have gone shopping after work and bought some items, when it transpired she had told one of the other girls two days later that she was broke and had another week to go to pay day. She is not normally mean and pays her share of bills and rent on time so I am sure she was broke two days before she acquired an expensive dress. Leather kid gloves appeared two days later. Some of these items such as ornaments disappear within days. She only goes home to her parents once a month so I wonder where the items are going. As a result of this I have become paranoid around her. I am afraid she is going to get me in trouble in one way or another. What if she is spotted on CCTV and followed home? I am also afraid she might steal from me. We are about the same size and she often admires my clothes. The accommodation is good and it is nearly impossible to find an alternative home.

MissShihTzu

Whoa! Bit of a stretch to assume this girl is a shoplifter isn't it? Maybe she might be a shopoholic -buys stuff and then takes it back? Maybe she might genuinely have been given the items, maybe she borrowed them? You just don't know!

As long as she pays the rent and bills when due, and doesn't interfere with you neither is it your business.

It might just be that you don't trust her? If that's the case - Fair enough! Move out if you're not comfortable with the situation.

tigger123

Could be using a credit card.

woodchuck

I don't know how you came to the conclusion that she's shoplifting! Plenty of people moan about being broke, but they'll still shop anyway (using a credit card as suggested). Or their idea of being "broke" could very different to yours; it might just mean she could only afford the dress and not the matching shoes :rolleyes:

She could be returning the items to the shop after realising she can't afford them or else storing them away.

Airyfairy12

Its not any of your business. Id be more concerned about her sharing a room with you. You sound paranoid and like you want to get her into trouble. Not the other way around. If she was going to steal your stuff she would probably have done so by now. If you dont like her or get a funny feeling about her fine, move.

Mr. Incognito

You should change the thread title. You have no proof to make such an accusation

FizzleSticks

This post has been deleted.

Berserker

Not sure where you are getting the idea that she is shoplifting from. I used to share an apartment in university with a girl who was like this. Turns out she was getting all her items, designer dresses, shoes etc from guys she was seeing. Is it possible that you roommate is doing the same thing?

FionnK86

People say they are broke all the time and then spend loads on clothes as a pick me up. (myself included).

Why don't you be a bit more confrontational next time she says shes broke and say "ehm well you just spent all that money on clothes?" (could say it in a jestful manner). That way she knows you're checking up on her so she'll think twice about robbing your clothes if she does turn out to be that way.

As for getting followed home? This isn't a movie, if she's shoplifting they'll either call guards or chase her but give up after a small while.

You can't get into trouble if you don't do anything wrong, You will get into trouble if you make false accusations.

MissShihTzu

FionnK86 wrote: »

People say they are broke all the time and then spend loads on clothes as a pick me up. (myself included)..

Very true

FionnK86 wrote: »

Why don't you be a bit more confrontational next time she says shes broke and say "ehm well you just spent all that money on clothes?" (could say it in a jestful manner). That way she knows you're checking up on her so she'll think twice about robbing your clothes if she does turn out to be that way..

I wouldn't go there, even in jest. OP has no proof and it's none of her business anyway. She might get more than she bargained for!

FionnK86 wrote: »

As for getting followed home? This isn't a movie, if she's shoplifting they'll either call guards or chase her but give up after a small while.

Exactly

FionnK86 wrote: »

You can't get into trouble if you don't do anything wrong, You will get into trouble if you make false accusations.

Pay careful attention to this part, OP!

Katgurl

OP you're worrying about nothing.

There are a multitude of explanations here as already mentioned. My guess would be that she is bad with money and loves to shop. She may be incurring credit card bills.

But so long as she continues to lay her rent, bills etc on time it is none of your business. She doesn't need to explain herself to you so I would recommend the above advice suggesting you make a joke about her purchases while allegedly broke.

I also don't think admiring your clothes is any indication she plans to steal them. It is a massive leap. If your stuff starts vanishing then that is a different story.