How to Tell If Your Locks Have Been Tampered With

Burglars may try a number of methods to try and gain admission to your dwelling house, including picking your lock. The most obvious signs your lock has been tampered with are visible dents and scuff marks around the key pigsty. While these are quick and easy to discover, here are specific signs of lock tampering that you tin can look for and measures you can have to help prevent unauthorized entry.

Have your locks been tampered with? Here'south how to tell

  1. Types of unauthorized entry
  2. Brute force
  3. Bumping
  4. Picking
  5. Prevention strategies

Types of unauthorized entry

When y'all suspect lock tampering—or worse, a suspension in—the first thing to do is remain calm and assess the state of affairs. What evidence do you lot have? For instance, is anything inexplicably missing, moved, or cleaved? Any window, lock, or door frame deformed, smashed, or broken? If you have evidence like this, call the police to report it. If not, y'all might await a little closer for indications of tampering.

Before you go looking for signs of entry, however, it might help to have a basic understanding of the iii main ways burglars go about getting through locks.

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1. Brute forcefulness

This is the hastiest, and therefore messiest, form of attempted suspension in. Oftentimes a criminal volition endeavour to bash in a lock, drill through a deadbolt, or boot downwards a door, leaving a trail of twisted metal and splintered forest. In that location are less obvious ways to force through a lock though, so you might too look for some of the post-obit signs of unnatural clothing.

Signs of brute force

  • Paint circles from lock fixture motility (like it was loosened and retightened out of identify)
  • Bent deadbolts or latches
  • Warped doors/doorframes

If you lot detect that your fundamental is of a sudden harder to turn than usual, this could indicate pin deformation—a result of more than refined methods of lock manipulation like bumping or picking.

2. Bumping

Since the early 1900s, locksmiths have used a secretive technique called "bumping" to open locks in a hurry. In 2005, a Dutch talk evidence revealed the process and, since and then, the technique has been picked up by endless burglars worldwide.

To do this, burglars file down the teeth of a key into several points, sort of similar a lilliputian saw. Next, they insert this "bump key" all the way into a compatible keyhole and withdraw it one click. And so they strike it abruptly with a blunt object, withdraw one click once again, and repeat until the lock tumblers have all defenseless. Finally, they turn the central and open the door.

When done correctly, this method leaves petty trace. Sometimes, all the same, jerky amateurs can leave identifiable marks.

Signs of bumping

  • Fresh nicks around the edges of the keyhole from pounding the cardinal a piffling too forcefully
  • Shiny metal edges that look like they've been recently hit

3. Picking

The third and most traditional method of tampering with locks is "picking." This is where a person uses minor tools like a flat screwdriver to plough the lock and a pick (sometimes even a dental choice) to rake the pin tumblers. Like bumping, one time the tumblers catch the lock easily turns.

This takes more time and expertise than bumping, simply is gentler and therefore unlikely to leave indications like warped pins or bolts. Nevertheless, as picks and shims (i.e., screwdrivers) wiggle around inside, they can cut into the edges, leaving marks.

Signs of picking

  • Tiny scratch marks, showing fresh, shiny metal around the central hole (finer than from a key)

Prevention Strategies

Now that you know what signs to look for and how they happened, you can consider options for rectifying the trouble. Ane of the best means to deal with lock tampering is to alter your locks to deadbolts, or upgrade them to hybrid digital/mechanical bolts, which are non every bit dependent upon tumblers and pins.

You can also use a device which prevents turning of a deadbolt even later on it is unlocked. And in brute force situations, having a sturdy door, like ane of our meridian picks, is platonic.

It might be time to consider installing a habitation security system. That way even afterward yous've inverse locks and reinforced doors, if a criminal tries to force their fashion back in they'll set off alarms or get defenseless on tape, offer you and your family all the same another layer of protection.

If you lot're interested in this kind of monitoring, let SafeWise aid you showtime comparing habitation security packages so you can discover a visitor that meets your needs.

For more safety tips specific to your area you can contact your local police department or crime prevention quango.

FAQ

A deadbolt is considered the safest type of lock. These are our pinnacle picks for the best door locks.

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Celeste Tholen

Written by

Celeste Tholen

Celeste has dedicated her decade-long career to reporting and reviews that help people make well-informed decisions. She oversees editorial strategy and production for SafeWise, with a goal to help everyone find the information they need to make their homes and lives safer. Prior to SafeWise, she worked as an editor and reporter for KSL and Deseret News. She holds a Bachelor's caste in Journalism. In her free time, she volunteers at the local botanical garden and writers for the customs newspaper.

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