Ep 15. Stranger In The House

Stranger In The House, episode 15 of season 46 of ABC 20/20, delves into the alarming reality of homeowners who unknowingly open their doors to unwelcome guests. The episode explores the stories of families who have experienced the nightmare of having a stranger invade their home.

The episode begins with the story of a couple who hired a house sitter while they were on vacation. Upon returning home, they discovered that their trusted house sitter had thrown a wild party and caused thousands of dollars in damages. The couple never imagined that their act of kindness would result in such chaos.

Next, viewers are introduced to a family who unknowingly moved into a home that was previously occupied by a man who had a key and continued to enter their home without their knowledge. The family discovers that the man had been living in their attic and had installed hidden cameras to watch them. The family's sense of safety and security was shattered, and they were left struggling to regain control of their home.

The episode then tells the story of a woman who hired a contractor to remodel her home, only to have him steal from her and use her house as a party pad. The woman was shocked to learn that the contractor had been inviting strangers into her home while she was away, and she felt violated knowing that her personal space had been invaded.

As the episode progresses, viewers learn about the growing trend of short-term rentals and the dangers that come with renting to strangers. The episode tells the story of a couple who rented out their home on Airbnb, only to have their guests throw a raucous party that caused significant damage. The couple was left with a huge mess to clean up and thousands of dollars in repairs.

The episode concludes with an important message about the importance of taking steps to protect your home and family from strangers. Viewers are encouraged to take precautions such as installing security cameras and background checks on service providers before allowing them into their homes.

Overall, Stranger In The House is a gripping episode that sheds light on an unsettling reality. It highlights the importance of being vigilant and proactive in protecting your home and family from unexpected intruders.