Stranger (Process Server) At the Door

Status
Not open for further replies.
Trunk Monkey

Trunk Monkey

member
Joined
Dec 25, 2011
Messages
4,120
Location
Colorado
Since we’ve lived in our current home we’ve had one repo guy (who actually goes to church with us) show up at our apartment looking for the previous tenant and as of this afternoon one process server.

According to my wife the woman knocked (actually beat) on the door, identified herself as a process server and asked for the previous tenant. When my wife told her that that person no longer lived here the server told her “I have a picture of her and I want to see your face.”

Wife said the server looked older than her so she cracked the door, showed her face and told the process server to leave. Wife said as soon as the server saw her face she said “you aren’t who I’m looking for” apologized and left.

Bottom line I told my wife process server or not she’s not to open the door like that and to send any one like that, looking for the previous tenant to the office to verify that she doesn’t live here.

Any one else have any opinions or suggestions?

FWIW my wife recognized the repo guy, opened the door and said Hello D---- Trunk isn't here. They laugh about it when we see him in church
 
Your wife should have not opened the door. I have a window in my door..someone bangs on my door I grab one of my guns that is close.....usually now it is my Uberti Walker as I keep it next to my bed and then answer the door talking through the door with my weapon in hand where they can not see it.
 
hartcreek said:
Your wife should have not opened the door.
Click to expand...

That was kinda my point, my question was more is sending the servers (or anyone looking for the previous tenant) to the office a viable plan?
 
being able to see what's on the other side of the door without opening it is always important. I'd also tell someone like that to take several (give a specific number, like 5) steps back before opening the door.
 
You need some visibility in that door. A way to see who it is without opening.

Yes sending them to the office was a good idea. Also try to find out where this dude is or works and refer any future inquiries to that location.
 
That visibility works from both sides of the door, btw....gives the knocker someplace to hold up their credentials to prove they are who they claim to be.

I also take offense when somebody needs to beat on the door when a simple knock would suffice, gets me riled up too early in the encounter. Yeah, legitimate servers have a job to do that is increasingly difficult and dangerous, but they must recognize the chance, especially in a rental unit that the previous tenant may have moved on.

Lastly, is a legal resident like this required to prove identity, or can they refuse to do so ? Just askin'.....
 
Everyone saying the wife needs to see who is at the door seem to have missed the line: "wife said the server LOOKED older than her, so opened the door a crack."

If course, she should not have opened the door, but told the server to verify at the Apt office the party had moved. If server did not immediately comply, say you're calling the cops to report "a crazy woman trying to bash my door down." Allow 5 more seconds for compliance, then call 911.
 
"I have to see your face"? You're not the police, not in this lifetime. Door stays closed.

And you don't stop banging on my door, the police will be here.
 
We had a scruffy looking guy banging wildly on our door and my wife was behind it. Turned out it was the "turtle man" from that tv show. If she had shot him we definitely would have to move out of Ky.
 
“I have a picture of her and I want to see your face.”
Click to expand...
Sure, no problem. When you return with the police I'll be happy to open the door.
Wife said the server looked older than her...
Click to expand...
There have been some incidents where a woman knocks on the door and then when it is opened, a couple of accomplices rush the homeowner.
 
JohnKSa said:
There have been some incidents where a woman knocks on the door and then when it is opened, a couple of accomplices rush the homeowner.
Click to expand...
Exactly, but many here thought she couldn't see the person at all. Clearly, she DID see her and apparently thought she could out-wrestle the server if need be. But she also didn't consider the accomplice scenario.
 
Agree don't open door, call Police if they don't leave...

That said I did something really stupid few yrs back. Wife was in FL, I was visiting and after 10pm pounding on door. (of another apt, then ours) I told wife to lock door behind me and took him across hall into wall. He was trying to dig into duffle. He wound up arrested with his buddies. It still was STUPID thing for me to do. I was just so ticked.

Good parts were I knew Deputy who worked evening shift at apt, it was 70%+ military personal in apt complex.(reason Deputy on duty 24/7/365.25) But I had not thought to get cell # of him. :(

If it happened again... I would stay behind locked door and call 911 to relay to deputy.
 
You people with officers that can respond are so lucky. My second home the responce might be the next day or not at all. It is also common to have cabin owners doing an armed search of the cabin tract looking for people that do not belong. The sheriff department offered the use of an excess vehicle and free fuel but then the patrol would have to be unarmed.....the responce NO thanks.
 
Yeah I would have told her not to answer the door. If someone told me to open the door so they could see my face you bet your butt I would have a pistol in hand as I tell them I am calling the police!
 
I also am in a (half hr response time is great) area again. Its still a good idea to call the Police, get info on tape. (ok current media) :)
To point Sheriff's dispatch asked me to get out of my car and check exterior of church when I called in some "activity" at 2am.

She didn't know I was armed to teeth. I still told her no way was I getting out of car. Car was going to stay ways away, moving until they could wake up a deputy...
 
In Texas the only requirement to be a Private Process Server is be at least 18 YOA or older and not be a party to the lawsuit.

In Texas a Private Process Server does not have the authority of a Peace Officer/Law Enforcement Officer.

Next time don't answer the door and if he/she does not stop beating on the door, call 911.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
preachnhunt said:
Turned out it was the "turtle man" from that tv show.
Click to expand...

Glad you didn't shoot Ernie. His show is my "guilty pleasure." The wife doesn't watch it and doesn't like me watching it, either. ;)
 
Sounds like it's time to sit down with your wife an establish protocols for the home. I've been working on this with my wife, but it's hard to get her to buy in. We live in a very safe town, which is great, but also makes it difficult to get my wife to take home security seriously.
 
A process server is usually considered an officer of the court, so threatening one with a gun or shooting one would not be a real great idea. If you or your wife does not want to open the door, inform the person that you are calling the police. The police can verify the person's credentials, and then, with a uniformed officer present, you can open the door and explain the situation. (Or accept the service, if it is legitimate and for you.)

Jim
 
I have discussed this with my wife and discussed this with my wife and discussed this with my wife and discussed this with my wife. Unfortunately, I can't make her do it when I'm not there.
 
I’ve never had anyone actually try to rob me or invade my home. There was one guy some years ago that I strongly suspect would have if I’d opened the door but that’s speculation on my part.

Having said that, I do know that I have never opened my door to a stranger and not regretted it. It’s almost always been some kind of pitch that I’m not interested in and do not want to hear. The easiest way I’ve found to avoid those is simply not open the door, which is not the same as not responding.

In this case however I certain that the process server was gonna come back and keep coming back until she got some kind of resolution. Given that our mail box is full of collection notices in this woman’s name and that the repo guy was also looking for her I suspect we are going to see more process servers and we are going to have to come up with a better plan than “ not interested go away.”
 
I want to get one of those front doors with a mini-door built into it at face level. You could open that and talk to someone outside without giving the opportunity to force their way in.
 
DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR TO STRANGERS!

DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR TO STRANGERS!!

DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR TO STRANGERS!!!

My general rule is, if you're not family, or you don't have an invitation, I'm not answering the door.

If you are none of the above and you persist, I call the cops.

I do make exceptions though.
If you come dressed in the high school sports team or band uniform, or you are a 9-year old girl selling girl scout cookies, I'm probably gonna open the door and give you money.

Otherwise, GO AWAY.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
Weird occurrence last night
Replies
20
Views
2K
beatcop
B
X
  • Locked
Could You Believe This One............?
2
Replies
43
Views
3K
Fred Fuller
F
M
  • Locked
Self-defense suggestions for my wife
2 3
Replies
66
Views
2K
brownie0486
B
fallout mike
  • Locked
wife needs training after incident at home today
2
Replies
48
Views
2K
JohnKSa
JohnKSa
J
  • Locked
Education without aggravation???
Replies
4
Views
231
Jeremiah10:23
J
Back
Top