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

• 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.

• 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.