My handyman stole from me (phone, stealing, wife, children) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

gardener34 · 05-18-2007, 07:51 AM

I would report it to authorities.

dukester2 · 05-18-2007, 07:54 AM

Wow, how low of a snake would you have to be to steal a religious item?

Cosmic · 05-18-2007, 11:03 AM

You are making a form of assumption that the handyman has taken anything. Are you 100% sure of your facts. What if you search around a bit more carefully and find the rosary. What if the watch turns up later. This has happened so many times for items we think are missing.

Without solid proof, you have zero to go on.

Your choices are probably:

Forget about it
Set up a trap and try to video tape him taking something in the future
Get rid of his services but I would advise against bad mouthing him

This situation cuts both ways. Maids, handymen, contractors, service type folks all must be aware they can be blamed for theft, damage or something negative happening in a home. Some are probably falsely accused when somebody misplaces or looses something.

I almost never let any type of hired help into my house. This last year or so I had to replace my furnace. Guy and his helper had the run of the house. I really did not like the fact they were using my tools in the basement instead of going to get their own out of the truck. Super non-professional move to touch anything not yours in somebody else's house. Afterward, I seemed to be "missing" a big pipe wrench. I suspected they had taken it. About a month later it did turn up, could have raised a big stink and would have been wrong. I never did find they actually took anything when they left, still enough poor methods to not have me want them back again. Their techniques certainty did raise the issues of trust.

You really have to be careful of what you accuse somebody. Without solid proof, you have zero case. Trust is a big issue with anybody in types of businesses that normally works in someone elses home. They fully understand what might happen if things start to turn up "Missing". It will destroy your business very quickly. Very, very stupid thing to do. Maybe this guy did not take anything. You might discreetly ask around to other folks who use his services to see if they have a similar experience. Again, I would never blame him directly without proof.

I've had a lot of experience working in other folks homes. Always had methods to ensure, they never had anything to complain about in terms of damages, missing items, etc. It is something to be squeeky careful about, this dude must also be aware of the need in that regard. If he isn't, he is very stupid.

It is part of the risk you take to allow somebody to work in your house, especially in an unsupervised method. If I was the untrusting soul, would definitely restrict their access and maybe even video tape the work areas. Better yet, do not make easy to take items available when they are around, especially anything of value or of personal worth.

7th generation · 05-18-2007, 12:39 PM

There is nothing worse. Someone you were PAYING has the audacity to steal from you. I certainly would ask the individual if he has any idea what has happened to your property. If an elusive answer escapes his lips I surely would contact the police and at least file a report. Then make sure this"person" is aware that you have spoken to law enforcement. It gets slippery to "badmouth" an individual without concrete evidence. A neighbor was up against a similar situation and badmouthed the "crook",who turned around and sued her in civil court and won!

ElkHunter · 05-18-2007, 09:17 PM

First off, I'm surprised that you said, "My handyman...." Instead of "My ex-handyman...."

Be direct. Call him in and say. "I've had several things missing and I'm not sure who's taking them. So I'm relieving everybody that accesses the house and hiring entirely new people that are bonded. Sorry."

Let him explain to the next boss why he can't explain where he's been for the past time period or why the new employer can't call his old one for references.

But be careful. Don't directly accuse him, be general on who.

dukester2 · 05-18-2007, 09:24 PM

The guys name wasn't James Taylor by any chance, was it?

Tek_Freek · 05-18-2007, 09:30 PM

Assuming you know it's him, then:

If you do decide to confront him do not do it alone. Have another person there. Don't take a chance that he might get violent. Another person will give you a safety net. Preferably a man.

So far the best idea I've seen here is the trap. If it works it will do a number things:

Give you the proof you need to take to the police

Once they know he is actually taking items they will have a chance to track down items he my have at his home or may have pawned

It will keep him out of other peoples houses. If he really is doing this to you, then he's doing to others also. Kleptomania is a sickness.

Do you know any of his other clients? If so you might discreetly ask if they are missing items from their homes. If you aren't the only one that is missing things it lends more credence to your suspicions. Get together with as many as possible and visit with the police as a group.

Magnolia Bloom · 05-18-2007, 09:37 PM

Great advice. If you've already paid him by check, stop payment and then let him know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scooby

Why can't you just approach him about it in a round about way. Ask him if for some reason he happened to move the rosary that was above the fireplace. Tell you can't imagine what could of happened to it, it has a lot of sentimental value and you would just be devistated if something were to happen to it.

On the other hand, you can tell him you would love to pay him for his services but your check book was laying next to the rosary on the fireplace and now you can't seem to find either of them.

If he works in the neighbor hood let him know you will be more than glad to let him use you as a reference.

fred_onka · 05-19-2007, 05:53 AM

It seems odd that a person who, I assume, earns a decent living, and is dependant on his reputation would steal from a customer. It sounds like this person needs to see a mental health professional.

jhlcomp · 05-19-2007, 12:39 PM

dncngrl1064 - is right, but I would call your handyman first and confront him on this. If he claims he didn't do it, then, gently tell him you feel you have no recourse but to call the police if the missing rosary isn't returned to you by such and such time.

I don't think calling the police will do one whit of good, but at least you can file a police report. And, who knows, maybe you're not his first victim.