What should I do about this crazy neighbor?

Question

I just moved in to a wonderful community 2.5 months ago. After about a week later I saw my two neighbors talking. I went up to them to introduce myself . After a half hour or so the one neighbor left for home. I stayed talking to my next door neighbor for a while. She seemed to be a nice person. This is really odd of me doing this but I invited her in my house. I showed her around. I took her to my library and she noticed I have several computers sitting around on the floor, three of them are brand new still in the box notebooks. She asked me what internet provider I was getting. I told her Verizon. She was asking me all kinds of questions about computers Wi-Fi, wireless networking, and how it all works. I knew at that point what she was getting at.

So a few days went by, and after talking with her a few times, she had the nerve to ask me if she could hook up her computer to my wireless network until she gets her own internet. I asked her how long before you get internet? Oh, two weeks or so. I told her I don’t know, I’d have to think about that. So after giving it some thought and a few days later, she called me and asked me again. I told her I’d do it for her. She asked me if I could give my network password to her so she could write it down. I told her she needed to bring her notebook to me, I don’t give out my passwords, nor do I write any of my passwords do not even for myself. All my passwords I have are stored in my brain. She asked, well what do I do if my computer forgets the password, my reply, just bring your computer back to me and I would just renter the password when I have the time.

Two weeks went by, and I noticed my internet was running really slow. It was running slower than dialup. So, I went to her house and told her there’s something wrong with her computer and told her she has to get off my network. She stared getting ignorant and said, Well, it’s not coming from my end, I use my computer at other places and it seems to work fine. I said, it’s your computer! Before I hooked you up to my network, my internet was running real fast, like the speed of light. She had the nerve to say, Well, I don’t know what to tell you. My reply was, Well, I know what to tell you, I paid almost $200 to the online company and pay a monthly rate of $55 and I’m not paying for slooooooow internet and since your computer is messing up my network you I’m taking you off my network, and changing my network password. I went home and changed my wep key and network name.

I found out that this jerk went to the manager and told him stuff that she over heard me talking about to my Aunt. Now she’s starting trouble like a little brat kid. What should I do about this situation? I’m not scooping down to her level.

Answer 1

I agree. You did the right thing by taking her off your network. It's nice to help people out sometimes but not when they end up acting the way she did. How dare she.  

Answer 2

First thing: Never,ever,ever,ever get close with your neighbors like that!

Where you screwed up was inviting her into your place. Now she knows your buisness! You should have nipped that computer situation in the bud as soon as the question was asked. Being nice doesn't always pay off! You pay your hard earned money for that service! You don't know her from Adam. She could be a thief for all that you know!

Now there's friction with your neighbors. Appararently this person is shady from the get go. If you can't resove this issue with her or them,I would suggest looking for another place to live. People like that tend to hold grudges for a while.

Personally,I wouldn't feel safe leaving my place unoccupied for a long period of time! That's just me. All I can say is that I hope that you've learned from this matter. Good luck to you!

Answer 3

Just ignore her. It's your hard earned money that is paying for the internet. Tell her that if she wants internet, she has to get it herself. If she starts being REALLY annoying about it, then report her.

Answer 4

This woman sounds like a piece of work, I am sure she is use to getting what she wants and she obviously did with you.  Never agree to something that makes you uncomfortable just to be nice.  You should have just said sorry I do not feel comfortable doing that and left it at that.  The next mistake you made was to go over and accusing her that her computer was causing all the trouble.  You just put her on the defensive and now she has to defend herself.  You should have just told her that the two weeks were up, you are sorry she did not get her internet yet but that was the deal you had made.  This lady is now out for blood because you insulted her and you are taking away the internet, which she most likely had no intention of buying.  I think you should just wait it out, she will find something else to talk about soon enough, and I am sure you are not the only neighbor she has had trouble with.  Just be nice when you see her, say hello, etc.  Just don't fuel the fire.  I am sure the manager has her number - she probable does this stuff all the time - she is the neighborhood *****.

Answer 5

What a bad predicament.

If you have virus protection,you should be safe,just run your scans normally.

Maybe go the manager and tell your side.I'm not sure if you consider this stooping to her level or not.  But this could clear your name of a messy situation.

Lesson learned,don't let others' in on your service.

You did the right thing to take her off.

She just may try to cause you more problems.

Avoid,avoid,avoid.

She's the type of person who would try to take you to small claims court.

Answer 6

Where in all of this do you take personal responsibility for having made some really bad decisions? Taking a stranger on a tour of your house, letting her use your internet connection, and having your little tantrum before cutting off the service. For all you know, it was a system problem and not her fault at all. Yes, she is pushy, and yes, you are extremely unwise. She doesn't sound like the only brat in this situation. It is of some concern that you claim to be an airline pilot, a profession which demands good judgement.

Answer 7

Getting her off your network was your best move.  you should explain to your manager and anyone else what kind of person she is and how unappreciative she was after you tried to help her. Cut all ties, stop all communication with her.  and when others come to you and say she did this or said that.. laugh and tell them your story. she will come off looking ignorant in the end.