A Word of Warning to Single Lady Travellers

gillyb · Senior Member

A Word of Warning to Single Lady Travellers

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Hey Gilly - thanks for that - very disturbing - but there are creeps all over the place these days. Can't be one of the regular contributors, more likely some lowlife who just reads the threads - but doesn't help if he is harassing you, you did right threatening police, and talking to neighbouring campers about it - hopefully scared him away. We don't need this sort of thing being associated with this fantastic forum.
Take care - and safe travels.

Vic · Guru

Hi Jules,

We need to remember that anyone can join this forum and the majority do not post and are lurkers, but have access by joining to our profiles and personal details, this could also lead to identity theft. Jules, just had a look at your and Gillies profiles, suggest you edit and remove your surname and birth date, just leave a first name or username and if you want to the year of your birth only (or not at all) for your own security.

Remember too that if for instance I have my full profile giving full name and in my posts say where I live, eg; Tommy Smith and I am just leaving my home in the town of Woop Woop to go around oz, people can check to find out where you live and your home becomes a target for theft etc. There are lots of nice people on this forum but a lot we really do not know (even some who post we have never met) and many who do not post, so everyone should be aware, couples and singles but more importanly single women...

Gilly, can you give us a description of this bloke, his rig etc, but if you would rather not that is fine, I just thought it may help some of the other ladies to keep an eye out for him, although on second thoughts they could pm you for a more accurate description.

I would also pm Cindy and pass the info on as well, including any first or other name he is using, she may be able to track him down on the membership list and delete his membership (bear in mind though ladies he could rejoin under another alias).

Dunco · Senior Member

Gill,

As an ex cop I would suggest that if he comes anywhere near you again, you IMMEDIATELY ring the police and tell them what he has been doing.

It is an offence to Stalk someone and he should be arrested and charged....or maybe issued with an AVO (Apprehended Violence Order)

Please ladies, don't threaten to ring the police, just do it as these people live on fear and need to be stopped asap

gillyb · Senior Member

Vic wrote:
Hi Jules,

We need to remember that anyone can join this forum and the majority do not post and are lurkers, but have access by joining to our profiles and personal details, this could also lead to identity theft. Jules, just had a look at your and Gillies profiles, suggest you edit and remove your surname and birth date, just leave a first name or username and if you want to the year of your birth only (or not at all) for your own security.

Remember too that if for instance I have my full profile giving full name and in my posts say where I live, eg; Tommy Smith and I am just leaving my home in the town of Woop Woop to go around oz, people can check to find out where you live and your home becomes a target for theft etc. There are lots of nice people on this forum but a lot we really do not know (even some who post we have never met) and many who do not post, so everyone should be aware, couples and singles but more importanly single women...

Gilly, can you give us a description of this bloke, his rig etc, but if you would rather not that is fine, I just thought it may help some of the other ladies to keep an eye out for him, although on second thoughts they could pm you for a more accurate description.

I would also pm Cindy and pass the info on as well, including any first or other name he is using, she may be able to track him down on the membership list and delete his membership (bear in mind though ladies he could rejoin under another alias).

Hi Vic

Thanks for that advice, I used to have my surname and birthdate on my profile but removed it quite a while ago. Probably not advisable to give the persons details on here as he is a member and I'm not sure where that will leave me legally but I guess that I can say he was travelling in a white toyota 4 wheel drive with 2 lge pipes (like drain pipes) on his roof, someone told me that these can be used for carrying fishing rods but I don't know if thats the case here, the man in question had no caravan or tent and appeared to sleep in back of car, it had a Qld registration.

SJ · Member

I've since changed my profile. thanks to great sites like this to assist all of us solo ladies

Vic · Guru

Hi Gill,

Thanks for the details, I would still pass on what you know to Cindy though as it sounds like this person should not have known access to the forum. I think Ma posted some details about some bloke on the run from the police awhile back that was wanted for murder or something and was apparently known to be using caravan parks etc, I can't remember what the thread was now though.

I knew you had changed your profile, it would be a good one for Jules to look to see how you've got yours. I just made my a bit more obscure too for security reasons.

Good advice from Dunco too, he could write a book with his knowledge about certain characters etc in our population.

Well done Woodsy, I hope a few more take up Gilly's advice....

-- Edited by Vic on Thursday 30th of June 2011 02:59:11 PM

lilly31 · Guru

How scarey Gillyb .... It will have you looking over your shoulder for a while i say ..Maybe would be good idea to go to police and have talk to them anyway after all there no harm in him ..no harm will be done by you talking to police and thing is you dont know how many other women he may have approached either and the police may know of him .....You would think if there wasnt any thing in this he wouldnt have turn up same places you did all the time ..

Cruising Granny · Guru

I've even made a minor change to my profile.
It's an unfortunate part of human nature - taking advantage of other's vulnerabilities and weaknesses.
For every nice, helpful happy traveller on these sites, there are the shady gherkins out there who are not so nice, helpful or happy.
But if we let it affect our everyday activities, we'd spend all day looking over our shoulder and trembling behind locked doors.
Dunco is absolutely the best advisor in these matters. No one has the right to threaten our peace and comfort, and there are laws to ensure it doesn't keep happening.
If you hadn't had any personal messages from this gherkin to establish some form of friendship, then he has no right to mooch around your camp or to follow you up or down the highway.
Whatever you do don't let it spoil your travel adventures. I know it only takes one to spoil things, but not this time.
Stay safe.

capt cream bun · Senior Member

Totally agree with Dunco. If you get even the slightest glimse of him again go straight to the police.

The parks you stayed at should have his details, perhaps report it to them also, think you should.

ccb

bill12 · Guru

Strewth!I had no idea someone would or could do something like that. A lady friend has had an AVO out against her ex for stalking,and we gave him an offer he couldn,t refuse. No violence, but he hasn,t come back, so it must have worked.Definately call the coppers if you are in trouble, I would.Bill

milo · Guru

Struth gillyb , thats no good to have that kind of worry on your head..
I've travelled alot, UK, Turkey, Fiji, etc you do have keep an eye on who's around you
its a pitty, as most people in caravan parks are quite friendly I think...

I hope all is ok

gordon_adl · Senior Member

This is exactly why I started that thread about information in profiles.
http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t43046713/profilesdont-mean-to-be-an-alarmist-but/

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Since reading this, I have made a minor change to my profile, it is a great pity that a very small minority make us all suspicious and guarded.

jimbo · Guru

Gillyb...I am sorry to hear about your experience..........It's something I had'nt thought about . I am starting too read Solo Travellers as i will be a Solo in Oct heading for Theodore Qld for a few weeks and Playing some Bowls

Cruising Granny · Guru

There is added security staying in van parks as opposed to free camping. The parks I've lived in take these matters very seriously.
If anyone is trying to stay out of sight and off the radar they will be camping off the beaten track.
If you don't feel safe, move on.

Sheba · Guru

Good advice Dunco. Don't let him put him off though gillyb. One bad Apple shouldn't be allowed to spoil your pleasure in travelling.

Stay safe,

Cheers,

Sheba.

GrumpyOne · Senior Member

Hey Guys n Gals,

As we are all aware, we really do need to pay attention to our own activities and what others are able to observe from our ramblings and activities... We give our kids & grandkids lectures on net safety and netiquette so maybe we now need to make a concerted effort to watch our own safety.

Trust me its not only you lady travelers that are preyed upon by these leeches hoping that we will make a mistake or show weakness and befriend them..... unfortunately these types are becoming more and more predominant.

Take care and be observant of you surroundings and who is around you, if they appear to be following you tell the authorities.

Hoo Roo happy Days

Grumpster

Campfire · Veteran Member

Thanks everyone, I'm new to this and have found this subject and the advice you've all given invaluable.

Cheers

jonathan · Guru

.. Food for thought :

You remember how in days gone by, that we enjoyed feeling secure in our own homes ? .. and we were !! That was our patch of ground and we were relaxed in our comfort zone .. but when we left it, we were usually more alert to dangers that were about us .. in other words out of our comfort zones.

When you hit the roads, its all in reverse .. you're going out of your comfort zones to enjoy a new life-style .. and initially we are quite aware of our short-comings and also greatly aware of what is going on around us because we need that security ..

then .. after a while and as one grows more into the lifestyle which becomes "home" lethargy sets in .. its normal .. a new comfort zone has us so relaxed and we 'forget' that we are now in a comfort-zone that changes when we move from place to place.

.. and its not only relevant to the ladies .. guys get their noses out of joint too !

Just a reminder ..

Jon

Happywanderer · The Master

Thanks for the warning gillyb, will go make a few changes to my profile too. Hope your trip going ok now.

gordon_adl · Senior Member

Too true grumpy. I tend to be very outward to people and at times quite sharing of things. I love to have a yack with anyone about anything.
Invited a couple over one time to share a bottle, had the hardest time getting rid of them after that. Seems they took that as an open invitation to come over every night during tea time and try to get a free meal and snacks afterwards.

GrumpyOne wrote:
Trust me its not only you lady travelers that are preyed upon by these leeches hoping that we will make a mistake or show weakness and befriend them..... unfortunately these types are becoming more and more predominant.

VK3FEMT · Senior Member

I think this should apply to anyone travelling solo. If I were you the minute he became a problem I would have alerted police, he may have just moved onto someone else.

I've come across my share of oddballs in my travels, on one occassion I concerned enough to pack and move on - I was camping on the coastline about 5 K's I guess from the nearest town, this guy presents himself from out of the scrub, it threw me a bit didn't expect to see someone pop their heads out of there, especially as it was getting towards dark. This guy would have been pushing 6 foot and physically very fit - I'm neither of those!

He questioned me a lot as to how long I was staying, was anyone with me etc, where I was going next. I had enough composure to say my mate just popped into the town to grab some food for dinner and shouldn't be far away and hadn't made up our minds yet as to how long we were staying or where we were going. He told me he was 'camping' along the coastline, I had my doubts about this as he was dressed only in jeans and a tee shirt, not exactly coastline camping clothing - and the no backpack kind of gave it away to.

Other times I have moved on due to hoons, or just people hanging around late at night. It's better to be safe then sorry... or dead.

I would suggest anyone discussion travel plans on the internet full stop, whether here or via a blog or whathaveyou - do so sparsly, don't give definate itinerary details, times/dates etc.

I've even had belongings knocked off by 'so-called' fellow nomaders who came up to me and introduced themselves and talked the talk. Now I'm a bit more, ok I'm paranoid I lock everything like fort knox, and I make sure if I am at a place and there is only one other there I write down their rego/car details just for reference in case something goes wrong if they seem a bit seedy. The more worrying type to me is those who seem to 'case out' your setup but never actually come over and say hello.

At the end of the day, nomading is like anything else, there are good and bad. We can't do anything about the bad element, but we can do a lot to ensure our own safety and protection whilst out there (says me in the sticks right now with a flat front tyre! and no jack because some tool knocked it off). I even go to the extent of chaining my generator to the trailer anything left moveable is surely going to be moved.

One tip for the ladies, and this is a proven worker - get yourself a pair of old mens workboots, a dogs food bowl, and throw them outside of your camper when you setup, and buy some cheap dry dogfood and just put a little in the dog bowl, anyone asks you have a german shepard or a rhodesian ridgeback thats gone off walking somewhere :)

Dougie · Veteran Member

Yes, it's important to be aware but not paranoid. Like some others here, I have struck the odd one here & there that worries you, & the beauty of a campervan or motorhome is that you don't have to pack up, you just drive off, so it's prudent to be prepared just in case, especially when camping remotely by yourself, which is normally what I do.
I've also amended my profile details given the warning by those above, so thanks for that.

Firefly · Guru

I'm so glad you are ok Gilly, I often wonder what makes a person like this tick mate.

Stay safe won't you and if you need help, yell hard.

I do like the idea of the boots and dog bowl though.

There also use to be a dog tape advertised on ebay as a deterent. You just play it in the van and it gives the impression there is a dog inside.

VK3FEMT · Senior Member

Only problems with the dog bowl n boots ideas are:
1. Everyone here now knows it :(
2. If they watch enough they will work it out.

If I'm in a new area I don't setup much unless there are others around, just in case I need to move on. Once you have the genny out etc this delays your moveability somewhat.

Most people on the road are pretty damn good and will go out of their way to help you. Just a minority out there that stuff it up for the rest of us.

Vic · Guru

VK3FEMT wrote:
Only problems with the dog bowl n boots ideas are:
1. Everyone here now knows it :(
2. If they watch enough they will work it out.

They'll probably steal the boots and their dog will eat the stuff in the dog bowl.....

I know a lady on her own who leaves large dirty boots outside her house door, and mens overalls on the clothes line to deter prowlers, but like you say most everybody is a wake up to this ploy. My neighbour went out and left their radio on which is supposed to make thieves think someone is home. They must have been watching her go out, broke in/stole etc, and turned the radio off......why? So they could hear if she came home before they had finished. furious

Dunco · Senior Member

You have to remember that most crooks are NOT dumb. They know all this stuff above as it is in their job description.

Vic · Guru

And hardened crims who will never change get old too.......so some Grey Nomads are not nice people blankstare Being old is not a passport to being nice!

Cruising Granny · Guru

They've also been known to check out the GPS. This has been advised before.
They break in to the car to check "home" on the GPS. You're left with a broken window on the vehicle, and wondering what they took.
When you get home the place has been stripped, courtesy of the info on your GPS.
Someone has been casing the joint here though. A couple of months ago a camper trailer was walked out of the park in the middle of the night. It seems when someone new moves in they get checked out. It may not be a resident, but an accomplice of a resident, as there's security on the gate they have to get through.
The place is covered by cameras, as is the 24 hr roadhouse next door, so the chances of escaping are very remote.
I try not to look like a gullible, vulnerable helpless female. I don't know how I'm doing, but I ok so far.