Safety on BPO & Titanium Assignments

I have read in a few different discussions in the past about safety, what things to look out for, horror stories, etc.  I was hoping we could all keep those topics in one area to serve as a resource as we are going out on assignments.

 

This is prompted because, I had an odd situation occur yesterday.  I perform BPO's and also am a Titanium HRC, so I am in various neighborhoods, taking pictures, knocking on doors, etc.  Well, I had an assignment for an Interior BPO.  When I arrived at the house, there was a car under a car cover in the driveway.  The first sign it may be occupied, however, possibly not.  I have arrived at homes that have just been secured and various personal items remain, so I think this may be the case.  In my area, Safeguard often times puts the lockbox on the back door.  So, not seeing anything on the front door, I head around back to check that out.  My car is parked in the driveway (Which I typically don't do, but there were many cars parked on the street and it was cold and snowing, so I went with the easy/closer option) as I am walking back from the backyard, the homeowner is pulling in the driveway behind me!!  After a quick discussion, I explained I must be at the wrong house and manage to have him pull his car out so I can get out of the driveway.  Of course, I was not in the nicest neighborhood, and luckily my husband was with me, so I felt a little safer.  With my heart beating a mile a minute I drive a couple blocks away and call the company I received the order from.  She explains to me that they received a block of orders that said they were interiors and the houses were secured, however, that was incorrect info.  They were supossed to be exterior orders!!!   

 

So what I've learned:

 

If anything looks suspicious, trust your instints, call and verify before proceeding

 

Do not park in the homes driveway, park somewhere you cannot be blocked in

 

Always try to go with someone, or tell someone where you are going, this sounds like a good idea, but is this really practical????

 

This makes me start to think if Titanium assignments are really "worth it"  Titanium prefers we go to the door unexpectedly without calling first.  Then to effectively complete an assignment, we have to go after 5:00...in the DARK!  And all successful assignments involve us going into this strangers house to complete documents, make a warm transfer, etc.  This is really putting us in risky situations.  I am a trusting person and never really considered this very much in the past.

 

I would love to hear from others what tips they have in staying as safe as possible. 

 

What you do if someone is out in their yard when you get there to do an exterior BPO?

What you say to a homeowner or neighbor if they approach your car while taking pictures?

How you proceed on Titanium assignments when you arrive in a "scary" neighborhood?

 

Thanks!!

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Replies

  • Titanium asked us to do door knocking after 5 PM... I went to East Palo Alto for 2 warm transfers. Chat with the first guy trying to understand his situation. The streets are discontinued while the numbers may increase or disappear.

    There were all kinds of people hang out and I realized I was not in safe neighborhood. The flash light from camera seem to attract more standby kids. If I was female I would not venture out in the neighborhood such is what I experienced. The mailing address is in East Palo Alto while the property is 150 miles near Fresno. I will return and try door knocking again during the long weekend.
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