I witnessed a man going through trash pail and it wasn't for cans or bottles because when he retrieved the trash there was no noise, just a trash bag with stuff in it (which is illegal here if caught).
He was going through a trash pail that was not his own. I followed him, and he walked away from the home that he was at, went down half the bloock, went into the alley and disappeared.
What could a stranger possibly want with someone's trash?
He was not homeless.
Please no rude comments or mean answers.
2007-11-20 09:13:05 · 9 answers · asked by DREENA 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I know a man who routinely and openly goes through his neighbors' trash; he takes out thing that could be useful, as far as I can tell. Some neighbors get mad, others don't. Also, after the garbage truck has gone by, he returns everybody's garbage can to its proper place, except for a few where the people have forbidden him to go on their property.
I don't know what he does with the stuff he retrieves, but he's old and probably experienced the Depression, and hates to see "good" stuff thrown away.
Another reason somebody could go through the trash, and more sinister, is identity theft. They could look for mail or other papers that could give information that would help them use the other person's credit, bank account, etc, or find out something to blackmail the person with.
2007-11-20 09:34:57 · answer #1 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I experienced this from a woman who lived across the street from me. She came over, went through my trash but I am unsure if anything was taken. I cannot look at her now except with suspicion.
It has been said that one man's trash is another man's treasure. Could you be so sure that whomever was going through the trash was just some random guy, or someone who was after more? Ensure you obliterate any personal information before you throw it in the trash. Apparently, all a cyber-thief needs is one piece of personal identification from your trash to ruin your life. Or, someone might have a garbage fetish if there is such a thing.
Another option is that this person is disturbed. This does not negate his crime but in terms of what can potentially happen, was rather harmless.
2007-11-20 09:22:50 · answer #2 · answered by fierce beard 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is possible that he is looking for anything that has personal information on it such as account numbers, pin numbers, etc... for identity theft. I would tell the persons garbage that he is going through so they can keep an eye on their garbage. The authorities should probably be contacted too and let them know about what time of day the guy comes and does this. Make sure you do not put any personal things in your own garbage too.
2007-11-20 09:19:18 · answer #3 · answered by RADSMSK 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
If he only did it at one house he probably was not there for IDENTITY THEFT.
This is a standard procedure for information gathering. The method is often used when performing criminal investigations or when doing background checks for VERY high level security clearances (Top Secret or higher.)
You would be amazed at how much you can learn about a person by taking a close, analytical look at the stuff they throw away!
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2007-11-20 09:23:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
He could have been looking for documents so that he could committ identity theft. He could have just been nosey, or crazy. He may have been looking for something valuable to sell. In most places, there's no law against going through someone's garbage. Once you throw it out, it's not yours anymore, you've stated that you don't want it, so it's up for grabs. Don't you watch Law and Order? They get around warrants like that all the time!
2007-11-20 09:18:06 · answer #5 · answered by bainaashanti 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It is possible that he or she was looking for personal information. I've heard that this sometimes happens during divorce cases (when one spouse wants info on another).
Sometimes, too, crooks will seek out personal information and unused credit card offers in order to engage in identity theft.
Thank goodness for paper shredders!
Scary stuff...
2007-11-20 09:45:14 · answer #6 · answered by Sheila 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say IDENTITY THEFT! Call the police next time, but try to take a photo of him with your phone so you can show them what he looks like. And I would also show the people who live in that house!
2007-11-20 10:20:18 · answer #7 · answered by zaytox0724 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He might have been 'trashing': finding for inner maximum education in discarded papers. you would be taken aback what you will discover in different individuals's trash. additionally, many places pays you for bringing in recyclables. He might have been harvesting them for that.
2016-10-17 13:13:15 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
indent theft. the dude was probably looking for social security numbers account numbers. stuff like that so he could get accounts on their name. or it could be a private investigator trying to catch a cheating spouse or something like that.
2007-11-20 09:22:10 · answer #9 · answered by cajunbaby 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋