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Concern for my neighbour...do people not stop and think!

(35 Posts)
Solitaire Sun 21-May-17 11:15:10

I'm really concerned that someone posted tbis on our local social network this morning.
'An elderly resident in H**** Avenue is moving and needs someone to remove 3 beds and a three pce suite to tip or whoever may want them. If she phones Council they insist they are put outside but she is elderly and on her own. Can anyone help her - if so please call her on 252 **.'
I've deleted the name and number from this post but she gave full details.
It concerns an elderly lady in the next street to mine and there is a SOLD sign at her gate which makes her even more identifiable.
I've replied to the OP ( not the Old Person smile) raising my concerns but the damage is already done. I hope the old lady knows about this .

NfkDumpling Sun 28-May-17 07:06:00

Streetlife has been taken over by Nextdoor. It's American but not as good as Streetlife. It's easy to become a member and is very useful for local chat (what's happening to the empty shop on the high street and that sort of thing), lost cats, selling/donating stuff, etc. Phone numbers are often given, but never full addresses and this, in effect, was a full address.

We have to assume that the 'elderly' lady had full knowledge that her phone number and road had been published?

stillaliveandkicking Fri 26-May-17 22:49:49

Don't get this at all.

What's the network? Is it local?

You do it privately? Ok so if someone emails you, you "privately give your details" Do you know them?

trisher Fri 26-May-17 10:19:00

The poster was not the "elderly lady" so it isn't actually her fault that someone did this. In fact it could be a helpful teenager. The issue is the assumption that the "elderly lady" would be unable to cope with any callers trying to scam her. As I said physical strength isn't an indication that you aren't capable of coping.

ninathenana Thu 25-May-17 07:38:51

This has nothing to do with age and "loosing your marbles" you just don't give personal details on social media, whether it's a public forum or not. I have sold things on our local closed freebay page on FB ple only state my town and always ask people to inbox me for details.

SparklyGrandma Wed 24-May-17 22:00:57

My council make a charge BUT will come into the house to carry furniture outside for elderly or disabled residents who don't have family help...

trisher Wed 24-May-17 10:17:37

No they don't any more lots of them make a charge per item. It's part of the cuts they are all making.

SparklyGrandma Wed 24-May-17 10:05:42

Most councils will have a way of helping elderly and disabled people get the stuff out of the house for garbage collection. But maybe someone needs to help her with the telephone call to ask that they do this?

trisher Tue 23-May-17 09:56:15

It was a local site so NOT a public forum. It didn't give the house number, the poster thought the "sold" sign gave it away, but the forum certainly didn't. A friend several years older than me (and I am I suppose 'elderly' to some) recently downsized. She had all sorts of people collecting things from her house and most knew she was on her own. BUT she does have all her marbles and anyone trying to scam her would find it hard work. Where on earth did this idea come from that we are less careful and capable in old age than we were when we were young? Actually I took many more risks when I was younger than I do now.

PamelaJ1 Tue 23-May-17 09:17:40

Seems a little unwise even though it was done with the best of intentions.
If it was a local site like streetwise then I believe only signed up members would have been able to see it which makes it less risky?

BlueBelle Tue 23-May-17 05:54:17

Trisher and Aslemma ....you HAVE completely lost your marbles if you knowingly advertise your address to the public plus the information that you are elderly and not very physically strong

BlueBelle Tue 23-May-17 05:50:49

Immaterial of whether the old lady gave permission ( she wouldn't know the workings of FB or she'd have done it herself) anyone with half a brain knows you don't put personal details out to public..... you inbox ( private message) you have done the only thing left.... to ask them to take it down although you could contact the page/group admin to delete it but as you say damage is already done and all you can do is keep your fingers crossed and keep an eye on the old lady

Aslemma Tue 23-May-17 01:16:03

I agree with Trisher. I too am elderly and would certainly not be up to moving furniture, but have still got all my marbles.

trisher Mon 22-May-17 18:21:56

Perhaps the 'elderly lady' gave permission or even asked the person to post her details. Maybe she is physically unable to deal with moving the items but confident in her own ability to sort out and deal with anyone who might try to scam her and just hopes that someone will make use of the things she no longer needs. Just because you are old and not physically strong it doesn't mean you have completely lost your marbles and need to be treated like a child.

Diddy1 Mon 22-May-17 18:18:43

Too much information given, makes the lady vulnerable, lets hope some nice honest people help her out.

NfkDumpling Mon 22-May-17 18:08:40

And I would be very annoyed!

NfkDumpling Mon 22-May-17 18:07:26

I wonder exactly how old the old lady is. If I were living alone and moving there's a good chance a helpful younger neighbour may post the same about me!

Madgran77 Mon 22-May-17 18:02:10

I agree it does make her vulnerable even though the OP was being helpful!

lovebeigecardigans1955 Mon 22-May-17 13:22:35

Yes, it is a bit concerning. One of my older friends said that she would never post her name and number (much less address) in that sort of way as there are so many bad types out there who would take advantage.
She is elderly and I assume on her own which in itself spells out vulnerable - surely there are better and safer ways of going about this?

Alidoll Mon 22-May-17 13:19:55

Most charity shops will only take the items if they have the fire / flame proof tag still attached these days (I know having phoned several when we were getting rid of an old sofa a few years back). No tag, not wanted unfortunately

Legs55 Mon 22-May-17 12:45:34

Ninathenana I totally agree with you,most Councils have a contact number for a re-cycling service or Charity shops. But if you must post on FB only give rough area & ask people to PM you if interested

ninathenana Mon 22-May-17 12:19:36

Maybe Solitaire isn't capable of popping round, we don't know her circumstances.

It was daft to put details on FB. Why did the poster not ask volunteers to inbox him/her.

Coco51 Mon 22-May-17 10:57:18

Perhaps you could pop around and ask her if she is aware of the ad.

nellgwin Mon 22-May-17 10:13:43

Oops I posted a smiling face not a growl ? I'm

nellgwin Mon 22-May-17 10:11:26

I'm sure that if the poster had phoned​ several charity shops they would take the items free of charge.
And yes it was very unwise to give out details of this ladies address and phone number.
As you seem to know who this lady is why don't you go round and offer to contact one of the charity shops for her and maybe offer any other help you can give her or why not call and take a we ? round and hopefully you can then pop in every day just to reassure her and yourself that she is ok and coping with the move.
You never know you might make a future friend ?

silverlining48 Mon 22-May-17 09:33:58

Or helped the lady themselves or found / asked around if someone else could help.
Older people are generally trusting and therefore vulnerable to abuse.