How to catch a thief in the house.

Mojisola

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

I understand that, yet I also think using phrases such as stealing and thief are extreme within families, even when money is incredibly tight.

But it hasn't been a one-off incident - money has gone missing several times and no-one has admitted taking it.

Our money is family money but if I asked my OH if he'd taken some money from my purse (and he had), he would tell me. We would normally ask each other before taking anything 'just in case' but certainly wouldn't lie about it afterwards.

DUKE

merlin - I think it's already been suggested but write a note & stick it your purse, saying how the missing money makes you feel ... Good luck!

pollypenny

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

Just remembered I often take change from DH's bag for car parking, but he is well aware of this. We have 'family money', so never in a million years would I consider it stealing ... eek!

You've clearly never been in the situation where you are eeking out every penny , which is committed anyway, until the next pay day,

Lucky you. :cool:

BigAunty

Mojisola wrote: »

But it hasn't been a one-off incident - money has gone missing several times and no-one has admitted taking it.

.

I felt certain that the thief - because that's what they are, it's a criminal act - would not confess.

They probably told themselves when the thefts were exposed that they would stop their petty thieving but their promise could easily evaporate.

My nephew, on the few occasions when he accepted responsibility for his behaviour and acknowledged that he stole items (usually he would quite flippantly shrug off any allegations) would always appear contrite - then the next purse would be plundered within days. Went on for years 'No, its not me. Yes, it was me. Sorry, won't do it again. No, its not me...etc'

purpleshoes_2

j.e.j. wrote: »

It's not lying around though, - it's in the family home! I would hate to think that I or another family member couldn't leave their purse in the kitchen or wherever, in case money got nicked from it.

I know, but money is being taken and unless someone owns up to it and its paid back/the issue resolved, more is going to go missing, lets face it, if someone stole 40 quid from you (anyone) would you leave another 40 quid lying around so they could keep taking it? I wouldn't. I don't have loads of spare cash, losing 10 for me would get me down big time, if someone took 40 out of my purse Id do what I needed to do to make sure it didn't happen again.

Oh and until the person did own up, Im not sure Id be shelling out for bus passes and putting money away into a uni fund either. Im aware it could be the OH also, but someone needs to confess, if they don't what a horrible atmosphere to continue living in.

Georgiegirl256

Jagraf wrote: »

And I thing OHs are the worst. I can't leave coins anywhere they go straight in my husbands pocket. :eek:

It's the opposite way round with us! :rotfl: I love it when he's had my car as the coin tray is full!

Jagraf wrote: »

I absolutely love beans on toast. But otherwise I agree with your suggestion

Me too, I'm really loving cheesy beans on toast ATM!

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

I understand that, yet I also think using phrases such as stealing and thief are extreme within families, even when money is incredibly tight.

That is exactly what it is though. Unless a person has been given permission to go in someone's purse/wallet (even within families) then it can't be described as anything else but theft.

DKLS

Show the kids a couple of videos on Live leak about what they do in the Arab world to thieves.
Then announce your thinking of applying for a job and relocating the family to dubai.

Or next time money goes missing, ask them and if they still deny it, punish both kids until one confesses. Old army trick and works a treat.

Lunar_Eclipse

pollypenny wrote: »

You've clearly never been in the situation where you are eeking out every penny , which is committed anyway, until the next pay day,

Not true.

I'm lucky in that it was a while ago, but regardless, it's bizarre that you would assume that.

Lunar_Eclipse

Mojisola wrote: »

But it hasn't been a one-off incident - money has gone missing several times and no-one has admitted taking it.

Yes, that is very disappointing and frustrating.

But I still prefer the fact you said money has gone missing instead of was stolen. I know it's semantics.

purpleshoes_2

The word missing suggests it might be returned, which I suspect it won't be.