Have Your Locks Been Tampered With? (Signs to Look Out For)

It’s never pleasant to come home and find that something doesn’t look quite right with your front door or a window. However, it helps to know what to look out for if you think your locks have been tampered with, giving you chance to take the appropriate action.

Signs Someone Has Tampered with Your Locks

Here are some of the most common signs that someone has tried to gain access to your Miami home by tampering with your locks.

  • The door looks bent or warped.

One of the first signs that someone has tried to gain entry to your home is a broken, bent, or warped door or frame. These are all clear signs of brute force. There might also be some obvious lock damaged due to drilling.

  • The lock isn’t working as it should.

If a lock has been tampered with, physical damage won’t always be the most obvious sign. If you can’t easily turn your key or your lock isn’t working as it should, someone may have tried to enter your home. In other scenarios, the lock might simply be faulty, but it is best to have it seen to either way.

  • There are scratch marks around the keyhole.

Small scratch marks around a keyhole could indicate that a lock was picked. Lock picking is far gentler than lock bumping, which is why it only leaves small scratches. Intruders tend to use tools such as a small, flat screwdriver to rake the pin tumblers. This process helps the lock to catch, allowing it to turn without a key. The movement that occurs when a lock is picked is what creates these small marks.

  • Parts of the lock are bent or nicked.

If there are more obvious signs of lock damage such as dents and nicks, lock bumping might have occurred. Lock bumping involves the use of a filed-down key that is hammered into a lock to catch the pin tumblers. This hammering is what can cause more damage to the area around the lock.

Steps to Take After Lock Tampering

If you believe or know that your home’s lock was tampered with, here are the steps you should consider taking.

  • Report the incident. If you believe that someone is inside your home or you know that an intruder was in your home, call 911 and report the incident to the police. You may also want to take photos of the damage for insurance purposes.

  • Find a reputable locksmith. To make your home safe again, you’re going to need the assistance of a trustworthy locksmith such as Quickly Locksmith. We will meet you at your home to assess the damage and make the necessary recommendations. We can also assist with any installations or repairs.
  • Upgrade your home’s security. Once you have a locksmith in mind, you can start upgrading your home’s security. Start by reinforcing any external doors and upgrading the locks of those doors. You can also consider additional measures such as an alarm and CCTV system.

  • Perform regular maintenance. To ensure your locks never leave your home vulnerable, make a point of checking and repairing or upgrading your doors and locks regularly.

For any assistance after a burglary or attempted burglary, contact Quickly Locksmith on (305) 984-9922 – we are available 24/7.

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About the author
David Davidof is the founder & owner of Quickly Locksmith. The business has grown from strength to strength to become Miami’s go-to provider for Locksmith and Security services. Whilst the company has grown, the founding ethos has remained the same - Helping people in emergency situations and giving them the feeling they are safe.
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