Do I Have Any Recourse

[Travelingal702]

A mother and daughter team had been cleaning my house for a few weeks. Suddenly, they stopped coming, with no explanation. I've just discovered that two items, worth over $1,500.00 have gone missing. They have been the ONLY outsiders in my home. Now I know why they stopped coming. I know exactly where these two items were and now they are gone. Do I have any recourse of action? Or would it be their word against mine. I am so disappointed. I trusted these people and now I've been betrayed.

[Rapscallion St Croix]

Name 'em.

[dewilson58]

A mother and daughter team had been cleaning my house for a few weeks. Suddenly, they stopped coming, with no explanation. I've just discovered that two items, worth over $1,500.00 have gone missing. They have been the ONLY outsiders in my home. Now I know why they stopped coming. I know exactly where these two items were and now they are gone. Do I have any recourse of action? Or would it be their word against mine. I am so disappointed. I trusted these people and now I've been betrayed.


Call law enforcement and you will know the answer to your question.

[Stu from NYC]

Call the police

[PugMom]

agreeing with the others, I'd call police today. one can suspect you probably aren't the 1st person to make the call on them; you would be helping others by reporting right away. I'd do it, for sure, especially with the value of items missing.
p.s.: do you know if they are insured or bonded?

[dewilson58]

p.s.: do you know if they are insured or bonded?




:1rotfl:

[jclrxman]

Call the Police

[retiredguy123]

You can call the police. But, without evidence against them, like a video, I don't think you have any recourse against them.

[mixsonci]

I think you should name them to protect the rest of us from hiring them and possibly getting ripped off also. They are probably looking for work now and I just hired a mother and daughter team to clean my house and I really don't want to start off by suspecting them. People are going to be afraid of hiring mother/daughter teams and that's not right. You can't put something like this out there and just leave it hanging.

[PugMom]

::1rotfl:

:icon_wink::icon_wink:

[Stu from NYC]

I think you should name them to protect the rest of us from hiring them and possibly getting ripped off also. They are probably looking for work now and I just hired a mother and daughter team to clean my house and I really don't want to start off by suspecting them. People are going to be afraid of hiring mother/daughter teams and that's not right. You can't put something like this out there and just leave it hanging.

In your case would ask for info privately

[B-flat]

Crimes against seniors! Contact them.

[Bjeanj]

You will need a police report for the insurance claim, also.

[thelegges]

I think you should name them to protect the rest of us from hiring them and possibly getting ripped off also. They are probably looking for work now and I just hired a mother and daughter team to clean my house and I really don't want to start off by suspecting them. People are going to be afraid of hiring mother/daughter teams and that's not right. You can't put something like this out there and just leave it hanging.

Since there is no visual proof of the items being removed form their space, and then removed from the household. The business could come after anyone who posted the company or the names of individuals. Sadly it’s a he said she said, with no proof. Best to make out a reports and let them handle it, along with insurance company

[retiredguy123]

I would do nothing, unless you have a special insurance endorsement for the stolen items, or evidence against the house cleaners.

Calling the police would be a waste of time.

[Stu from NYC]

I would call your former house cleaners and tell them something is missing and do they know anything about it.

Would casually mention that you have nanny cams around the house and after the call you will be calling the police and turning over the evidence.

Might get some interesting results.

[Topspinmo]

Call the police

Sheriff around here. Unless you’re in ladylake city limits?

[Bjeanj]

I would do nothing, unless you have a special insurance endorsement for the stolen items, or evidence against the house cleaners.

Calling the police would be a waste of time.

I disagree. The police at a minimum would have a record of this, and they may/may not investigate. What’s the harmin filing a report?

Unless the items stolen were of a particular class of items (jewelry, stamp/coin collections, fine art, etc) you don’t need a rider/special endorsement. Your deductible would apply, but you would need a police report for the insurance company.

[Villageswimmer]

A mother and daughter team had been cleaning my house for a few weeks. Suddenly, they stopped coming, with no explanation. I've just discovered that two items, worth over $1,500.00 have gone missing. They have been the ONLY outsiders in my home. Now I know why they stopped coming. I know exactly where these two items were and now they are gone. Do I have any recourse of action? Or would it be their word against mine. I am so disappointed. I trusted these people and now I've been betrayed.

Asking what recourse you have to an anonymous Internet forum? File a police report and call your insurance company. Time is of the essence.

[graciegirl]

I see people on Television checking the local pawn shops. They have to have picture I.D. when they accept an item.

[Nucky]

If you Google their phone numbers does it give you their address? If this happened to me I'm sorry but there is no way I could just write it off or let it go. Think back did they give you any indication about where they lived? If you don't have more than just Mother & Daughter even Vito & Rocco couldn't help you! :1rotfl:

I wish you luck in getting your stuff back and why don't you name what the stuff is in case it shows up in the classifieds or at a Flea Market or on E-Bay! You never know. Again, Good Luck! :boxing2::boxing2:

[queasy27]

According to stories in the online news, the police and sheriffs around here actively investigate theft/shoplifting cases, including from private citizens, and there's no reason to think they wouldn't take your report seriously. At the very least, I'd expect them to locate and speak to the cleaners.

The details would end up on the police blotter, however, and be subject to publication.

[dblwyr]

Of course you should file a police report. They will investigate. They may have other reports; with a description of the missing items they may find them and trace them back. For sure you should file the report.

[Number 10 GI]

Of course you should file a police report. They will investigate. They may have other reports; with a description of the missing items they may find them and trace them back. For sure you should file the report.

Yes file a report. Many police departments have officers that regularly check pawn shops for stolen property. If the police don't know it is stolen they don't know to look for it.

[ficoguy]

Go with "Great Job Pro"....they are professional and bonded

[ficoguy]

Call the cleaners and mention that you're cleaning your firearm

[davem4616]

hopefully anything with that value you had listed on a rider with your homeowner's insurance policy

theft by house cleaner is most likely not an uncommon complaint in this era

We were constantly disappointed with the 'treasures' we'd brought back from traveling around the world being broken by the careless house cleaners we had

we gave up on them and ended that "service"

When we finally do start to use a house cleaning service again...I'll want to know if their bonded, have insurance and I'll put away anything that I wouldn't want broken before they arrive...I don't care how much you pay...the owner might be great, but the rest of the help are all 'bulls in a china shop'

[Art cov]

By all means, call the police! There is a chance that only one of them stole from you, or a 3rd person could have been (in the area) and stopped when your cleaning team was at work. Sometimes people have a reputation for being thieves and word does spread throughout the the police station. They are aware of thieves and a small chance of recovery. They can’t help if you don’t call! Ask police about spreading the names of Bonnie n connie when the report is made. So sorry that you are going through this!! Keep doors locked! They know your house!

[Rwirish]

Shouldn’t you be asking the police?

[Leadbone1]

A mother and daughter team had been cleaning my house for a few weeks. Suddenly, they stopped coming, with no explanation. I've just discovered that two items, worth over $1,500.00 have gone missing. They have been the ONLY outsiders in my home. Now I know why they stopped coming. I know exactly where these two items were and now they are gone. Do I have any recourse of action? Or would it be their word against mine. I am so disappointed. I trusted these people and now I've been betrayed.

Your recourse is to not make the same mistake again. Why were those items available for these cleaning people to steal? You’re probably old enough to know better! Sorry for your loss!

[Freeda]

File a police report and an insurance claim. Calling them and suggesting that you have video,, as was suggested above, is another thing I would do.

[merrymini]

Filing a report with the police has long term ramifications. They are probably doing this to many people and eventually will get caught if the police see a pattern. If you have photographs of the items, there is a chance you may get them back. They probably pawned them.

[Girlcopper]

agreeing with the others, I'd call police today. one can suspect you probably aren't the 1st person to make the call on them; you would be helping others by reporting right away. I'd do it, for sure, especially with the value of items missing.
p.s.: do you know if they are insured or bonded?
Insured or bonded? Theyre scammers! Yes, you can call the police but you wont get your stuff back. Its your word against theirs. They didnt break into your house, you allowed them in. Chalk it up to experience. Did you check them out before hiring them? Did you put expensive things away? Did you keep an eye on them?

[La lamy]

Such a shame. I've lost "trusting" people a long time ago unfortunately. I would not leave any valuables unlocked if I had to have my place cleaned by others.

[Jewelz]

filing a report with the police has long term ramifications. They are probably doing this to many people and eventually will get caught if the police see a pattern. If you have photographs of the items, there is a chance you may get them back. They probably pawned them.


this!!!!!

[MandoMan]

A mother and daughter team had been cleaning my house for a few weeks. Suddenly, they stopped coming, with no explanation. I've just discovered that two items, worth over $1,500.00 have gone missing. They have been the ONLY outsiders in my home. Now I know why they stopped coming. I know exactly where these two items were and now they are gone. Do I have any recourse of action? Or would it be their word against mine. I am so disappointed. I trusted these people and now I've been betrayed.

I’m sorry for your loss. Let’s remember, though, that there are hundreds of people cleaning other people’s houses every day in The Villages. Maybe a thousand. This sort of accusation is surprisingly rare. Sometimes (not yours), it’s a case of the cleaning person putting something away for the client, but more often the client forgets where it is. If there is dementia involved, the “missing” item may have been given away years ago. Some people have many thousands of dollars worth or jewelry, or coins, or stamps, or figurines, or toys. It’s a huge temptation, yet nearly all cleaners just say NO to that temptation. Some temptations can be lessened a lot if valuables are put away, especially when the cleaners are coming. (I know that when I’m at a resort in Mexico, I keep all valuables in the room safe, including phone, wallet, jewelry.)

My girlfriend’s parents were both hospitalized with Covid-19 in early August down in Stuart, Florida, three miles south of The Villages. He died after three weeks of agony. She survived after the same agony, tested negative finally, and is back home making a partial recovery (having to give up car, home, furnishings, now on oxygen, being moved north to Pennsylvania to live in a dementia unit).

For some reason, he took his entire fat wallet with all his credit hands to the hospital. That disappeared. It finally turned up after he died. He had been moved to a hospice unit in a different hospital, but the nurses were keeping his wallet in a safe. He always wore a gold cross on a gold chain around his neck. He said the x-ray tech made him take it off for a chest x-ray, and he never saw it again. Was it stolen? Was it misplaced, did it accidentally end up in the trash bag of used protective gear? Who knows? It hasn’t been seen again. Did this cost the x-ray tech his job? Maybe. Did he steal? Probably not. But my girlfriend’s dad was barely conscious much of the time. Why wear jewelry to the hospital? Because he thinks the cross will keep him safe?

As for my girlfriend’s mother, she wore her wedding ring and a $15,000 ring with a fancy stone to the hospital. She has dementia. She claimed they were stolen. Actually, they were in the hospital safe. They were returned to the family when she left. But they had to ask about them, and meanwhile there was worry and arguments and fighting. When I’ve had surgery, I’ve been told to NOT bring any jewelry, or wallet, etc. If I forget, they are locked up.

So, people, be wise—don’t advertise. (Your wealth, that is.)

[Kgcetm]

Report the loss to the sheriff's department and if they think you have sufficient evidence they can question the housekeeper. Don't let the loss go unchallenged.

[Jima64]

you need to file a police report for the insurance to take you seriously probably. may never get the item back but let the cleaners know you had a cam recording, I know I would. As to using a bonded service, I believe the thief has to be convicted before the bond works in your favor.

[PennBF]

We have a cleaning lady who I would trust my life with but I we do secure our valuables. It just makes sense to have things you value or are valuable be placed in secure locations, (e.g. safe deposit box, etc.). It is sad someone would steal but this is a big world made up of all kinds of people. :ohdear:

[mikeritz53]

I think you should name them to protect the rest of us from hiring them and possibly getting ripped off also. They are probably looking for work now and I just hired a mother and daughter team to clean my house and I really don't want to start off by suspecting them. People are going to be afraid of hiring mother/daughter teams and that's not right. You can't put something like this out there and just leave it hanging.

Nice to be able to name them, but keep in mind they can sue you for defamation of Character and loss of business if you cannot prove they did it.

[William S. Cook]

Do not publish the names.
Provide names by a private message

[Villagesgal]

If it was something unique that could be pawned. Call all area pawn shops and ask if they have anything like your item that came in recently. If they do, go look at it, if it is your item, call the police and report it, the pawn shop then has to give the police the name of the person who pawned it, if it's your cleaners or their relative, bingo, you have your proof.

[Bikeracer2009]

Defamation. fyi, the term "publish" or "publication" means to spread false information as either orally as slander or in writing as libel.

"Publication" is a term used for both of these. Be careful as to what you say or write. Even privately written slanderous information can be spread.

I was actually surprised recently when a lawyer at a hearing didn't know the definition of publish so it's a normal conclusion to think it means in writing.

[Villagesgal]

If it was something unique that could be pawned. Call all area pawn shops and ask if they have anything like your item that came in recently. If they do, go look at it, if it is your item, call the police and report it, the pawn shop then has to give the police the name of the person who pawned it, if it's your cleaners or their relative, bingo, you have your proof.

[Marine1974]

Think you should ask her privately and be a bit more compassionate.
She is the one who was ripped off .

[greenflash245]

find out where they live, go pay them a visit. bring someone with you. never go it alone.

[DIver0258]

My best half owned a cleaning service back home for many years. Insured and bonded is feel good insurance for the customer. If there is no proof, mainly video the insurance company will deny the claim. We have instructed customers to never leave anything of value out when the team comes to clean. You can background check and verify your subcontractors, but one never knows what they will do when they are tempted. My advice to everyone that has a cleaning service never leave anything of value out. Place all valuables under lock and key (safe). Nanny cams are cheap these days. If you are concerned about internet spying get one that has internal memory for storage. Many today are very obscure (light bulbs, alarm clocks, etc.) place them in areas that have items that may be stolen. It is amazing that the human element will fall to petty theft if the opportunity presents itself.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

If it was something unique that could be pawned. Call all area pawn shops and ask if they have anything like your item that came in recently. If they do, go look at it, if it is your item, call the police and report it, the pawn shop then has to give the police the name of the person who pawned it, if it's your cleaners or their relative, bingo, you have your proof.

Good idea, but I would call the police first. They would likely check pawn shops as well.

[airstreamingypsy]

The items were probably pawned, here's the thing about pawn shops. When they take in items, the fingerprint, photograph and copy the seller's ID. Then once or twice a week they send a list of items they took in this week, to the local police departments when is then dispersed to other police departments. So, you call the police, file a complaint, list what you lost and they will check the list of items for your items. I know this because I had some tools stolen and the idiot who stole them took them to all different pawn shops. All I had to do was pay the pawn shop what they gave the thief for the items, the, before he could get out of jail, he had to pay me back. There's an ad in Nextdoor right now, for a person who does handy things, I googled the name and immediately came up with an arrest record. Before you hire anyone to come into your home, I suggest you google them, check out their Facebook wall.... you can even run a background check on the internet for a few bucks.

[Nick Kelly]

The cleaning people may have a legitimate reason for not showing up. You don't know. YOU PAY TAXES ! That money pays the police. They work for YOU ! Call them and put them to work !! If the missing items were stolen , they may recover them. You may be able to put in a claim on your insurance. You will need a police report. Accusing people on this forum is not productive at this point. CALL THE POLICE !!!

[NJSonja]

you can private message me...I know of a mother daughter team and i'm praying it's not them...

[Stinger2]

I just had mother and daughter clean. Are they from Okalumpha (sp?)

[holmesperdue]

The first line of defense is yourself; don't leave valuables out when strangers are in the house,,,

[billthecpa]

It is ignorant to say that calling the police would be a waste of time. They will alert pawn shops to the stolen items......may get a lead there....followed up by security video of the person or persons who pawned the items. That's how many of these thieves are caught!

[Robin Farris]

A mother and daughter team had been cleaning my house for a few weeks. Suddenly, they stopped coming, with no explanation. I've just discovered that two items, worth over $1,500.00 have gone missing. They have been the ONLY outsiders in my home. Now I know why they stopped coming. I know exactly where these two items were and now they are gone. Do I have any recourse of action? Or would it be their word against mine. I am so disappointed. I trusted these people and now I've been betrayed.
Being a cleaning lady myself this really is disappointing to hear. I have taken on customers that this has happened to before and it really makes me sad to hear. First of all yes call the police let them check the pawn shops hopefully they will find your things there. I have clients I have cleaned for over 7 years and I find things here and there..lost jewelry, medication etc. I return EVERYTHING I find to them no matter how small it may seem.
Listen people “test” your cleaners from the very first visit! Leave a couple $20 bills on the counter but make sure you write down the serial numbers & take pictures of the bills in case they go “missing” also empty out some med bottles & fill them with plain unmarked tylenol count how many you put in the bottle then recount when they leave. Most importantly take some costume jewelry fill a jewelry box with it & put it in a spare room. Then tear a TINY piece of the corner of a tissue and place it in the top corner frame of that door. Now make sure it is small enough they would never see it but YOU will know it’s there. Then gently close the door with it lodged in place before they arrive. After you have all that in place and your real meds & jewelry are locked up invite them in to clean. After they have been there for a little while casually mention that you have to run up and check your mail. Look them straight in the eye and say “ hey I prefer you to stay out of this room as it contains your valuables & medication so you would rather they don’t enter that room” then take a ride in the golf cart around a few streets and come back. When you return go to that door IF that little piece of tissue is still in place and you see it fall when you open the door then you know they stayed out and you probably have some trustworthy cleaners. BUT if the tiny piece of tissue is gone or on the floor then they entered that room while you were away looking for valuables even though you asked them not to! IF that’s the case go straight to them and insist they leave your house immediately!! There are many ways to “test” cleaners. My snowbirds that go back up north before summer I have taught them all how to test their cleaners up north. And always leave some tylenol and costume jewelry around just in case. And hey if they steal that then all the fools got is some tylenol and fake jewelry! My own opinion look for cleaners that work alone. Sure she/he will be there twice the time but this is why MANY of us clean alone because even we don’t trust other people. Or I don’t! No way will anyone clean with me. I have worked with a big cleaning company before and I saw what some of my partners tried! So when I started my own business I refuse to hire. I would rather do all the work myself because I know what I’m doing at all times but it’s hard to keep your eyes on someone else and get your own work done. And yes the BEST protection is always cameras. One last note.. a cleaner should NEVER put anything away for the client. You pick up dust/clean and put all items right back where you found them. I hope this helps at least a little for some. TEST, TEST & TEST before you trust. I am sorry to hear what happened to you and I do hope you find your belongings. All cleaners are not bad but you always have those certain ones that are just bad apples!

[BHWitcher]

You have to make a police report. May not do anything as far as proving guilt but you will need it to submit to your insurance.

[Curtisbwp]

The moral to that story is "Trust no one but yourself" i keep all if my valuables in a 600lb safe and only i have the combination. Clean your own house, it is not that hard. You have no proof.

[Stu from NYC]

Being a cleaning lady myself this really is disappointing to hear. I have taken on customers that this has happened to before and it really makes me sad to hear. First of all yes call the police let them check the pawn shops hopefully they will find your things there. I have clients I have cleaned for over 7 years and I find things here and there..lost jewelry, medication etc. I return EVERYTHING I find to them no matter how small it may seem.
Listen people “test” your cleaners from the very first visit! Leave a couple $20 bills on the counter but make sure you write down the serial numbers & take pictures of the bills in case they go “missing” also empty out some med bottles & fill them with plain unmarked tylenol count how many you put in the bottle then recount when they leave. Most importantly take some costume jewelry fill a jewelry box with it & put it in a spare room. Then tear a TINY piece of the corner of a tissue and place it in the top corner frame of that door. Now make sure it is small enough they would never see it but YOU will know it’s there. Then gently close the door with it lodged in place before they arrive. After you have all that in place and your real meds & jewelry are locked up invite them in to clean. After they have been there for a little while casually mention that you have to run up and check your mail. Look them straight in the eye and say “ hey I prefer you to stay out of this room as it contains your valuables & medication so you would rather they don’t enter that room” then take a ride in the golf cart around a few streets and come back. When you return go to that door IF that little piece of tissue is still in place and you see it fall when you open the door then you know they stayed out and you probably have some trustworthy cleaners. BUT if the tiny piece of tissue is gone or on the floor then they entered that room while you were away looking for valuables even though you asked them not to! IF that’s the case go straight to them and insist they leave your house immediately!! There are many ways to “test” cleaners. My snowbirds that go back up north before summer I have taught them all how to test their cleaners up north. And always leave some tylenol and costume jewelry around just in case. And hey if they steal that then all the fools got is some tylenol and fake jewelry! My own opinion look for cleaners that work alone. Sure she/he will be there twice the time but this is why MANY of us clean alone because even we don’t trust other people. Or I don’t! No way will anyone clean with me. I have worked with a big cleaning company before and I saw what some of my partners tried! So when I started my own business I refuse to hire. I would rather do all the work myself because I know what I’m doing at all times but it’s hard to keep your eyes on someone else and get your own work done. And yes the BEST protection is always cameras. One last note.. a cleaner should NEVER put anything away for the client. You pick up dust/clean and put all items right back where you found them. I hope this helps at least a little for some. TEST, TEST & TEST before you trust. I am sorry to hear what happened to you and I do hope you find your belongings. All cleaners are not bad but you always have those certain ones that are just bad apples!

Great advise thanks for sharing

[THUNDERCHIEF]

crimes against seniors! Contact them.
crimes against seniors do not do anything except maintain a list

[rmd2]

I always at a minimum move my jewelry box and my computer where someone in the house could not get it.

[KRM0614]

A mother and daughter team had been cleaning my house for a few weeks. Suddenly, they stopped coming, with no explanation. I've just discovered that two items, worth over $1,500.00 have gone missing. They have been the ONLY outsiders in my home. Now I know why they stopped coming. I know exactly where these two items were and now they are gone. Do I have any recourse of action? Or would it be their word against mine. I am so disappointed. I trusted these people and now I've been betrayed.
If you weren’t home or weren’t paying attention that’s on you. Truth is you have no recourse you didn’t check their background and the state agencies in FL that are supposed to deal with this do not help at all.

[Two Bills]

Do NOT name them on any forum.
Name them to relevant Law Enforcement and Crime against Seniors as advised.

[Stu from NYC]

File a report with the police if you do nothing else

[D.C.Villager]

In Colorado, I had the same maid for decades. At first ,every time I couldn't find something, I'd suspect the maid might have taken it. Turns out I'd always find the missing item. Sometimes I would hide things from my maid and forget where I put them. I never once accused my maid, because I learned that it was I who was misplacing things. I am not sure we can make a firm case that a maid took our things, because we didn't see her take them, and we can't prove a burglar didn't take them. And as I age I can't even find my glasses, much less my expensive things (o:

[brfree1411@aol.com]

I had a friend refuse to give back items she had that were mine. I was told that my only hope would be small claims court. It takes a long time.

[Stu from NYC]

I had a friend refuse to give back items she had that were mine. I was told that my only hope would be small claims court. It takes a long time.

Not much of a friend

[giorgio1948]

A mother and daughter team had been cleaning my house for a few weeks. Suddenly, they stopped coming, with no explanation. I've just discovered that two items, worth over $1,500.00 have gone missing. They have been the ONLY outsiders in my home. Now I know why they stopped coming. I know exactly where these two items were and now they are gone. Do I have any recourse of action? Or would it be their word against mine. I am so disappointed. I trusted these people and now I've been betrayed.
Hopefully you have pictures of the missing items? If so, detectives usually will go to pawn shops, find the item and get the name of the person responsible...good luck

[Mfrench]

Visit Seniors Against Crime and they will go after them if you have their home address. If you don’t you’re out of luck.

[Barborv]

That's why I like to stay home when I have people cleaning. I'm not comfortable with anyone in my house when I'm not there.

[Ecd1810]

I would do nothing, unless you have a special insurance endorsement for the stolen items, or evidence against the house cleaners.

Calling the police would be a waste of time.

Not so. You would be amazed at the information a good detective can uncover while interviewing a”person of interest “.

[Stu from NYC]

That's why I like to stay home when I have people cleaning. I'm not comfortable with anyone in my house when I'm not there.

In Va we knew the lady very well and would go out as necessary. Without knowing them very well no way do we leave

[Sunflower33]

File a police report.

[Villageswimmer]

crimes against seniors do not do anything except maintain a list


Seniors vs Crime does far more than “maintain a list.” That’s, frankly, an insult to a group of dedicated VOLUNTEERS who recover hundreds of thousands of dollars to victims every year. I know.

SVC, however, is not a law enforcement agency. That’s why, many posts back, I recommended filing a police report with the appropriate law enforcement agency. If the OP prefers not to do this, that’s their decision.

[Hayek1957]

One technique I have read about is to look at marketplace websites such as EBay and Facebook Marketplace. Thieves will often try to sell their loot on these sites. If the items are high value, even the police will search these sites. If the object is listed for sale the police will feign as a buyer, meet with the seller and make an arrest.

You can do this search yourself. If you do not have an account at the more popular marketplace websites, ask a trusted friend or relative to help you.

[Eileenrush]

I think you should name them to protect the rest of us from hiring them and possibly getting ripped off also. They are probably looking for work now and I just hired a mother and daughter team to clean my house and I really don't want to start off by suspecting them. People are going to be afraid of hiring mother/daughter teams and that's not right. You can't put something like this out there and just leave it hanging.

So what if she publicly names the mother and daughter and tomorrow finds the items?! I think it is strictly a matter to be handled by the police. If you are hiring someone you should ask for and investigate references.

[Travelingal702]

In your case would ask for info privately
Thank you for the voice of sanity. Of course, I can't put their names out there. If people want to know their names, contact me via private message and I will respond.

[Stu from NYC]

Thank you for the voice of sanity. Of course, I can't put their names out there. If people want to know their names, contact me via private message and I will respond.

No problem but do think you should contact the local police. Costs nothing but even if you do not get your stuff back the guilty party is now known to the police.

[Villageswimmer]

Thank you for the voice of sanity. Of course, I can't put their names out there. If people want to know their names, contact me via private message and I will respond.


What was the response from law enforcement, OP?

[Coley]

I would notify police and if you know where they live---check pawn shops in area to see if articles have been sold. Good luck.

[newgirl]

Sadly no. Unless you caught them or have proof there is nothing police will help you with. Even if you find your items at a pawn shop, you will have to buy them back.
Laws are not meant to protect people.

[dhsmith]

If I knew the missing items were in my house before the cleaning people came and the same items were missing after they left you bet I would be signing A warrant for their arrest.How much evidence do you need.All you need is probable course a crime was committed to arrest someone.
Call The Police

[Villageswimmer]

If I knew the missing items were in my house before the cleaning people came and the same items were missing after they left you bet I would be signing A warrant for their arrest.How much evidence do you need.All you need is probable course a crime was committed to arrest someone.
Call The Police


Correct but save your breath. OP has been given this advice many, many times on this thread with the exception of a handful recommending playing detective and prowling pawn shops, etc.

OP asked for advice and got it. I think there’s more to this story than meets the eye.

[nn0wheremann]

A mother and daughter team had been cleaning my house for a few weeks. Suddenly, they stopped coming, with no explanation. I've just discovered that two items, worth over $1,500.00 have gone missing. They have been the ONLY outsiders in my home. Now I know why they stopped coming. I know exactly where these two items were and now they are gone. Do I have any recourse of action? Or would it be their word against mine. I am so disappointed. I trusted these people and now I've been betrayed.
Report the theft to police. They may find your items in a pawn shop and recover them. That is what you hire the police to do. Helps if you have photographs of the valuable items, or other descriptions more probative than your memory.

[raynan]

Call the police and make a report and then pawn shops would be notified. Slight chance of recovery.

[Stu from NYC]

Call the police and make a report and then pawn shops would be notified. Slight chance of recovery.

We seem to be talking this to death.

[Dana1963]

A mother and daughter team had been cleaning my house for a few weeks. Suddenly, they stopped coming, with no explanation. I've just discovered that two items, worth over $1,500.00 have gone missing. They have been the ONLY outsiders in my home. Now I know why they stopped coming. I know exactly where these two items were and now they are gone. Do I have any recourse of action? Or would it be their word against mine. I am so disappointed. I trusted these people and now I've been betrayed.
You did not give the full story so I’ll go out on a limb.
Probably paid cash for services and no receipt cleaners we’re not bonded or insured. You probably lost more than 2 items equaling $1500 and have not figured it out yet.
Then you come to this forum and ask what to do. What would you do if someone broke into home or stole your car?