A sharp-eyed resident from Sydney's lower north shore has issued a stark warning to homeowners after identifying what he believes is a sophisticated house-sitting scam, a caution that holds significant relevance for UK residents during the festive period.
The Suspicious Social Media Pattern
The man raised the alarm in a local Facebook group, explaining he had noticed a surge in online messages from individuals offering to house sit or pet sit completely free of charge. He observed a distinct and formulaic pattern to these posts. The person offering their services would typically claim their motivation was that their own family was visiting from overseas and needed somewhere to stay for a few days.
His suspicions grew when he decided to investigate the profiles behind these generous offers. 'I have looked into several of the profiles and found some serious issues,' he wrote. He discovered that most had been members of the community page for less than a month and their profiles often appeared to be based abroad, making their story about hosting family in Australia illogical.
A Theory for Crime and Community Concern
The Sydney man theorised that this was a coordinated effort to gather intelligence on empty properties. 'Essentially what these people are doing is gathering information about which houses are empty during these periods. Then, while empty, they are robbed of valuables,' he suggested. He added that scammers were likely targeting his area specifically because it is known as a 'higher value area'.
His final piece of advice was blunt and crucial: 'My suggestion is DO NOT tell anyone online when you plan on being on holiday.' His post quickly garnered hundreds of likes and comments, with many in the community confirming they had seen similar posts.
Insurance Pitfalls and Harrowing Experiences
One commenter highlighted a devastating financial consequence of such a scam. She pointed out that if a thief you willingly invited into your home steals from you, your home insurance policy would likely be void. This is because most policies do not cover theft or damage by someone you have permitted entry.
Another local woman shared her own horror stories after twice allowing strangers to pet sit. On one occasion, her home was used for a swingers' party without her knowledge. The second time, the sitter cracked her mirrored furniture, worth thousands, a loss she couldn't claim on insurance. Her advice was to only use vetted professionals from accredited services.
Another resident recounted a similar ploy in the area, where individuals posed as meter readers to gain entry, resulting in at least one robbery on her street during the Christmas holidays.
While the overwhelming response was one of caution, one Sydney woman offered an alternative perspective. She explained that as a single mum, she sometimes accepts free house-sitting opportunities in nice areas as a way to have a affordable mini-break with her teenage daughter, reminding homeowners that not every offer is malicious.
