Hi

I know this situation is not unique to America but seeing as I don't have all my friends to ask, I hope you don't mind me asking you lot!

My cleaner was here today (there is the owner of the business who comes at the start and leaves 2 women to clean)

I took $200 out of the ATM and when I got home I put $100 in an envelope for the boss and left it on the side. I then went out to walk my dog and as I did I glanced at my handbag and thought twice about leaving it but shoved it into the corner and went out anyway.

When I got home, my handbag was in a slightly different position (but this could have been nudged by accident), so I checked my wallet and there was only $80 inside.

Now I didn't count the money when I left the ATM so there's not 100% certainty that all the $200 came out but I'm sure that's quite unusual.

As I have no guaranteed proof, I'm not sure what I could say. I was thinking of phoning the owner and asking if I overpaid by $20 or something? As you never know, I could have done that by accident......

What do you think would be the best thing to do in this circumstance?

Thank you!

Mark a $20 bill and put it somewhere you know the cleaner will find it. Then if she steals it, fire her and the company. That way you'll be 100% sure.

You are not too sure of your facts are you ! so on a sticky wicket so to speak.
I suggest that if and I say IF you suspect that the cleaners are being light fingered withdraw a quantity of cash, have it(each bill) photostated by the bank and photographed as you leave it in your house,including taking the serial no's,with a simple mark known to you.Leave it as you did previously and go through the same proceedure.
In addition, maybe a hidden video camera on the handbag whilst out aswell.
It depends how far you want to go with it.If it goes again call the Police immediately and tell that you suspect the cleaners.
Alternative, just 'sack' the cleaning firm.

I think by Calling the Owner and asking if there was an extra $20 in the envelope is an excellent way of bringing the situation to the table, I would then explain myself as to why I had thought so, an overpayment IE: 2 bills sticking together, rather then jumping to the conclusion that it was lifted from an unattended pocketbook.
I see this as a very non confrontational, but truthful approach. Otherwise if you keep silent you must always be diligent about protecting your personal belongings from thieves whom you invite in and pay to clean your home.
I hope you get it sorted and find out that indeed it was an over payment

That's a good point, because fresh bills from the ATM stick together all the time (really annoying!!) so you might have just put $120.00 in without realising, so a quick "Hey, did I put an extra $20.00 in your envelope" is a perfectly valid question.

Of course, if they reply "no", then you have a bit more sleuthing to do . . .

Well your handbag could have been moved in the cleaning process perhaps?

But as you say, it's very unusual for an ATM to deliver the wrong amount of cash.

I'd call the owner and say you're missing $20 and did you overpay him, then if he says no you've planted the seed in his mind...

And if he said no, but you did, then he is $20 richer and you will never be able to prove it and he won't care that you might suspect the cleaners. In the future, take your bag with you or lock it in the car.

One reason I don't have a cleaner...I don't like people around my home especially if I'm not there.

If you are not sure dont go round making accusations.

I think I would do a sting, like suggested earlier, it does not have to be a hidden camera, hide it in plain site, a laptop camera, leave the computer on and record. Go to a coffee shop and watch what they are up to (If you have access to another laptop or device) . orb.com will help you watch your laptop camera remotely.

Personally I've always preferred hiring a cleaning lady on the recommendation of neighbors and not an agency. If you can't get recommendations, you can always ask for references. Although I've had things that I couldn't find, they always turned up hidden in some place.

I don't like the idea that there could be different ladies each time they clean. Also I am concerned that it only takes one thief (and hard to prove) to make me concerned about the honesty of the service.

On the other hand if you hire an individual, they have more to risk by stealing something. If something ends up missing, she will be risking losing a regularly scheduled cleaning job.

Take a tip from me, don't be so sodding lazy and clean your own house.

No more light-fingered Chars and cash saved to boot.

Clean 'er? But I just met her!

Being a full time working mother I don't think I could ever be called lazy but thank you for that constructive advice. You must be such a perfect example of a human being to throw hurtful comments at complete strangers. I only wish I could be as kind as you.

Thank you to everyone else.

To be fair, he was probably tryingn to be humourous....

It sounds almost as if you were setting a test for the cleaners anyway.

In future lock the money away, it's not fair on them otherwise as they could well be perfectly innocent but are now under suspicion.