Phrogging is the practice of living covertly and unnoticeably in another person’s house. The term “leapfrog” refers to the concept of an intruder hopping like a frog from one location to another, such as a person’s crawlspace, attic, or basement. If you think that someone could break into your house and steal something, the idea of someone breaking in and staying hidden while you’re not looking is almost too real, like something out of a horror movie.
Phrogggers may target wealthy vacation homes left empty while their owners are away, or even primary residences left unoccupied while the residents are on vacation, in contrast to squatters who take over abandoned properties. Even though most people think phrogging is a fiction, there are steps you can take to be safe in case you’re worried about a covert intruder.
How to determine whether you are home alone
Everybody experiences occasional terror. Some people even firmly believe that ghosts reside in their homes. However, you’ll have more than just ghosts to worry about if there are more outward signs that something is wrong. Several indicators suggest that a phrogger might be around.
Unusual sounds are heard
Things often go bump in the night, from floorboards and stairs that creak to wind-driven tree branches smashing into your windows. However, even in the daytime, it might be time to look into any unusual or frequent noises. These sounds could be anything, such as a heavy thud, the sound of breaking glass, soft music, or even what seems to be a muffled voice coming from behind walls.
You notice certain items are missing or have moved
Some strange things are bound to disappear in the course of time, irrespective of the size of your home or the volume of possessions that you own. However, you may be right to suspect something if a substantial part of your belongings—food, clothes, cash or expensive gadgets, for instance are just vanishing in thin air.
If you leave things in one spot and find them in another soon after, or you see cabinet doors open, books rearranged, furniture moved, or appliances left on that you swear you turned off, then an intruder or a ghost might have been moving around your house.
Your Pets are Closely Monitored
Animals can notice things that people cannot see. At times, a dog will bark at an unoccupied yard, and a cat will just meow mysteriously to the ceiling. Animals, however, have very acute senses, especially those of smell and vision, and they will almost always let you know if something does not feel right in your house. Perhaps it is worthy to investigate if your pet appears unusually restless in a room or part of your house where you hardly venture.