Is Your Home Safe From Lock Bumping?
Posted May 12, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s been going on for decades and you might not have heard of it. But it has the potential to leave your family very vulnerable to thieves and predators – even if your front door is shut tight.
It’s a practice known as lock bumping. It requires a special key that – with the right deft touch – enables an intruder to move the pins used in many door locks and causes them to open in the blink of an eye. It costs as little as $2 and you can buy one over the Internet.
Some wonder about the ethics of revealing its existence to the general public. But the truth is, the crooks that employ it have been aware of it for years and could use it to gain access to your home or office. And in this case, knowing about it may be your only way to fight back.
The method has been around for more than half a century and has long been used by locksmiths to open doors without a key. It was only a matter of time before more nefarious types caught on to the idea.
Jason Scheide of Spadina Security has seen them all. “This is a rake pick,” he demonstrates. “It can be purchased over the Internet for a few dollars and then it’s shipped to you. It’s illegal for you to have possession of this in Toronto because you have tools for break and enter.”
The problem is widespread and there are countless places on the Internet that demonstrate how it works, although some experts insist it’s not as simple as some make it seem. “It’s not easy to use these tools,” he notes. “You do need a certain level of skill and lots of practice. If you have these tools, you could pick one out of 1,000 locks by getting lucky.”
CityNews put the illegal lock opener to the test. We couldn’t get through any of the doors we checked. But that doesn’t mean you should disregard the danger. Instead, the experts suggest you invest in a lock that is certified as UL 437 – a pick resistant safeguard.
Scheide notes they’re a lot harder to get around. “Physical force, and now power tools, cordless tools make it very easy to get through an ordinary lock,” he outlines. “This lock has hardened steel inserts. Even a drill can’t get through it.”
But there’s a price to pay for all that security. The locks are more expensive than the regular kind – some as much as $300. And it’s important that you use a reputable locksmith to find the one that bests secures your home.
Here are some other methods for fighting back.
Bump-proof locks:
Lock makers are well aware of this problem and a growing number have created products that can’t be opened using this method. They’re sometimes more expensive but for many the peace of mind is worth the extra money. Be sure to read the label or ask about this feature before installing new locks in your home.
Deter crooks:
They can’t get in if you don’t make it easy. Good lighting is important around your entrance so people can’t do their dirty work in the dark. Pets – especially dogs – are a good early warning system and some crooks would rather move on to the next house than face an unknown canine who may or may not be friendly.
Keypad entry:
Admittedly new and expensive. But if there isn’t a traditional lock to pick, they can’t use the bumping method to get access.
Other resources:
