Crucial Signs that your Locks have been Compromised

Have you ever arrived home, looked at your fronto door, and had the feeling something was wrong? When that feeling of fear or stress creeps up, don't just shrug it off.  Learn what to look for so you can take proper action if you think your locks have been tampered with while you were away.  Whether you are worried about residential security or someone accessing a corporate property, it is important to know if your first line of defense is working to keep your valuables safe. A determined individual can open every lock, from what is on your front door to your filing cabinets. That is why you should know when they are at risk. Be aware that these signs mean that you have the vulnerability to being targeted, or may already be a target. If you are worried about someone getting into your property, be sure to consider the following.

How Can I Tell If Someone Tampered With My Locks?

Below are common warning signs of an attempted home break-in.

Your Lock Doesn’t Function Properly

Even if you don’t immediately notice signs of tampering, if your key doesn’t turn as easily as usual, that’s a red flag. Once you notice that your lock isn’t functioning the way it normally does, look around for any visible warning signs of damage. In the best-case scenario, the malfunctioning lock is due to some other reason and you’re just taking precautions.

Visible Bending or Warping of Your Lock, Door, or Frame

If you see obvious signs of damage or unnatural wear, it’s likely that an attempted burglar tried to use sheer brute force to enter your home. If someone tried to drill through your deadbolt, bash in your lock, or simply kick down your door, you may notice one or more of the following:

Twisted or bent metal deadbolts or latches

Warped wood on doors or door frames

Splintered wood on the ground around the doorway

Paint circles near the lock fixture, as if it was loosened, moved, or retightened out of place

Tiny Scratch Marks Around the Keyhole

If you’ve ever seen a heist movie, you’re probably familiar with lock picking. This traditional method of lock tampering is gentle and doesn’t leave much of a trace. Typically, a burglar uses a small pick or flat screwdriver to rake the pin tumblers in your lock until they all catch and the lock turns.  As these small tools wiggle around inside your lock, they may cut into edges and leave marks. If you notice that your key is harder to turn than usual, check around the keyhole for tiny scratch marks or fresh, shiny metal marks finer than those left by your key. These are hard to notice but could be signs that someone tried to pick your lock.

New Nicks or Shiny Metal Edges Around the Keyhole

Similar to picking, there’s a technique that burglars use called bumping that can leave subtle signs or even no signs at all. Developed by locksmiths in the early 1900s, bumping involves the use of a standard key with teeth that have been filed down into saw-like points. This “dummy key” is fully inserted into a compatible lock and hammered carefully to catch all pin tumblers.

Like picking, this method done correctly can leave no trace. Done too forcefully, however, bumping could leave fresh nicks and shiny metal edges around the keyhole that look like they’ve been recently hit.

Compromised Keys

If you are trying to figure out if your locks are compromised, the best place to start is inventorying all of your spare keys. This includes the keys you are meant to have in your possession, as well as all of the spares given out to others. In the case of issues with a stalker, if you had a personal relationship with them, there is a good chance they have a key. Anyone that had access to a key to your lock had the ability to make a copy of that key.

Even in the case of corporations and business that use “do not duplicate” stamps, most hardware stores will still make copies. When someone is let go, a person moves out, or ownership changes hands, locks should either change or be rekeyed. As long as these precautions are not taken, the lock is compromised. In some cases, landlords will always need a key. But if they are the only ones with access, in the case of investigating a surreptitious entry, the pool of suspects will be more focused.

No Signs of Forced Entry

One of the most troubling signs that your locks have been compromised is when it is obvious there has been someone in the home, but there is no sign of forced entry. It might not be the lock on the front of your door, but there is certainly a lock somewhere on the perimeter that is not providing adequate security. It is in cases like this where it makes sense to hire a private investigator. More information is needed in terms of finding the area of entry as well as who may be responsible.

Damaged Hardware

Not every case of lock damage leads to a successful entry, but any damaged lock is compromised. Door handles can be bent. Pry marks may be present on the door jam. Holes may even be bored into the lock or door itself. When the physical security of your building is targeted in violent ways like this, it is a clear indicator of the desire for unlawful entry. Lock replacement is a must after these types of compromise. There is a significant chance that attempts to gain entry will escalate in severity, so you should upgrade to stronger locks as well as improved video surveillance, so the suspect can be apprehended.

In the most extreme cases, damaged lock hardware will have failed entirely giving the criminal in question full access to the locked room/device. This type of compromise is the most obvious. In most cases the lock will no longer work, as the damage that forced it to open permanently broke an important locking component. Part of the door jam could be broken off, keeping bolts or latches from being able to extend into a housing and find purchase. Drilled out lock cores will have no way of being locked with a key. And the list goes on.

Suspicious Lock Component Wear

In the most extreme cases of lock compromise, devices such as lock picks and bump keys will be used. This is very hard for the common man to determine themselves. It may seem as though a key is perhaps being used, which will limit the investigative focus to individuals with keys to that lock. But with proper investigation and analysis, a professional can detect the differences between the wear of a proper key and lock picking tools.

In order to detect suspicious lock component wear, chances are you will need a seasoned pair of eyes. Looking for these signs yourself may lead to unwarranted paranoia. Understand, that unless a suspect who has experience with locksmithing is targeting you, the chances of these types of attacks are very low. In the case of corporate investigations, they can be more common but are almost only ever on the level of corporate espionage.

What to Do if You Think Someone has Tampered With Your Locks

Once you know what to look for, you can more confidently assess whether someone has attempted to break into your home. If you do suspect attempted burglary, there are several steps you can take to maximize your safety.

Take Notes and Gather Evidence

If you only see subtle signs and are unsure that a crime occurred, remain calm and continue to gather evidence. Take note of anything that is missing, moved, broken or deformed in or around your home.

Call 911

If there are enough obvious signs of damage or theft, be wary about entering your home in case entrance was gained and the intruder is still present. Immediately contact the police and file a report.

Contact a Professional Locksmith

An experienced residential locksmith in your area can visit your home to check out your lock. They will confirm whether it looks like it was tampered with or make repairs if needed. They can also offer advice on how to upgrade your locks for better security.

How to Prevent Lock Tampering and Break-Ins

Now that you know the telltale signs of lock tampering and how to respond when you see them, take some simple steps to prevent future burglary attempts and give you peace of mind. Even if you haven’t experienced the signs of lock tampering, being proactive will give you peace of mind.

Reinforce Your Doors and Windows

Look for vulnerabilities in your home’s entrances. Sliding glass doors or those made with flimsy wood are easy targets for would-be intruders. Ensure that your exterior doors are made from heavy wood or metal, and reinforce windows with looks, dowels or track fillers. Always securely shut, lock and deadbolt exterior windows and doors when you leave your home.

Upgrade Your Locks

Especially if you’re only using the locks that came standard with your doors, consider replacing them with high-security locks that are pick-proof or bump-proof. There are digital lock options that rely less on traditional tumblers and pins.

Deadbolts are considered the safest type of lock, in part because they help reinforce the door against brute force entry and lock picking simultaneously. Deadbolts with long bolts of hardened steel that extend at least one inch inside your doorframes are harder to pry or saw open. To maximize the performance of any new lock, have it installed by a professional locksmith.

Maintain Existing Door Locks

Like any part of your home, locks age with time and wear. A dirty lock can become fragile and more likely to break. With just a few minutes of effort at least twice a year, you can clean and maintain your locks to prolong their useful lifespan. Simply use a lubricant specifically designed to flush dirt out of your locks.

Conclusion

Knowing the potential ways that your locks can be compromised gives you better insight as to whether or not someone has been breaking into your property, or attempting to do so. If you need any help finding out who is responsible for targeting you, never hesitate to seek the aid of a private investigator. Get to the bottom of what is wrong with your security, and start feeling safer today.

YOU CAN REQUEST LOCKSMITH SERVICES BY CLICKING HERE