Day-in and day-out, we hear horror stories from our customers who almost got scammed by a scammer locksmith. Unfortunately, many times, people fall for the scams of these criminals.
Today, a very smart Calgary accountant did what we suggest everyone to do, think and refuse to pay. Mariya Savchyshyn owns a condo in Calgary and rents it out. She said her tenants asked her to replace their lock, and a Google search listed Locksmith Calgary at the top, so she called them without doing her searches to see that they are a scammer locksmith.
Finding out if a locksmith company is a scam is quite easy, here are a few simple steps from Terry Whin-Yates to catch them.
Tips from Terry Whin-Yates on spotting a locksmith scammer
- Do they provide unbelievably cheap pricing? The $29, $19, $39 dollar locksmith ads are a scam.
- Do they operate under different business names? Scammer locksmiths often run under different business names to shield their identity.
- Is their Google Maps location legitimate? Many locksmith scammers have their Google Maps locations out of gas stations, Starbucks locations, restaurants, or even a middle of a forest (we’ve seen it all). Pull up their location on Google street view and see where their address is, if it’s another business, it’s a fake. If it’s a house, it’s a scam. For example, the Locksmith Calgary scammer presents their address as 724 80 Ave SW, Calgary AB. This is a fake location.
Locksmith Calgary Scammer at 724 80 Ave SW
- Are they licensed? In British Columbia for example, you can check if a locksmith company is licensed or not by inputting their security license number into the following page – Security Licence Status Verification.
- Check their phone number! Copy their phone number into Google, does it appear in locations like Toronto and other provinces or states where the locksmith shouldn’t be? It’s a fake.
- Ask for the name of the business owner and a link to his or her biography, if the company is hesitant to provide the information of the owner of the company, stay away.
- Ask for ID and documentation. Do not let them start work without the company showing their security license, drivers license, insurance, and city business license. If they say “I don’t have it” or “I can send it to you later” or if it looks fake, refuse them doing the work, refuse to pay and send them away.
- If the locksmith gets aggressive or pushy with their tactics or if at any time you feel uneasy or uncomfortable, dial 911 immediately.
- Do they have a reputation? If you can’t find anything about them online such as a social media following or a clean track record, do not let them work on your property as they are most likely a locksmith scammer. Reputable locksmiths and locksmith business owners like Terry Whin-Yates, the owner of Mr. Locksmith and Mr. ProLock have a clean track record.
- Do they show up in an unmarked vehicle, or does their vehicle simply say “locksmith service” ? They are most likely a scam, do not allow them entry or to do any work on your property.
- Do they refuse to provide an invoice on the spot? Are there inflated or hidden charges? Refuse to pay and if they get aggressive, dial 911.
- Do they have a GST number on the invoice? Check if it’s legitimate here.
- Do they list their locksmiths on their website like on a team page with their name and pictures like we do with locksmith Vancouver? If not, you have to wonder why and what they’re hiding.
There are many more warning signs to catch a scammer locksmith. Just use your head and if you can’t determine if they’re fake or not, don’t use them!
One big warning sign which Mariya Savchyshyn should have caught onto was the fact that the scammer locksmith, Locksmith Calgary used the tenant’s phone to phone her. Why wouldn’t they use their own cell number? Because these scammer locksmith’s do not want repeat customers.
Scammer locksmiths such as locksmith Calgary operate on a one-hit basis. They scam you, and then they request an extreme amount of money and force you to pay. Because of the bad experience they provide, they don’t expect you to call back which is why they provide an illegitimate invoice with a fraudulent tax ID, a fake address and at often times as well, a fake phone number.
Thankfully, when the scammer locksmith called Mariya Savchyshyn to say that he’s done, she caught on. Locksmith Calgary refused to provide an itemized invoice for the inflated invoice which was triple the cost, $773.85 as per CBC.
“And I’m like, that’s weird, because usually the customer has to receive an invoice, look at it and then pay, right?” said Savchyshyn.
“I’m an accountant myself, and I know that no one is going to send me money until they see the invoice.”
When Savchyshyn refused to pay without knowing exactly what she was paying for — she says the company threatened to send the bill to a collection agency.
Terry Whin-Yates states that threats are common with scammer locksmiths. We’ve heard from people that the scammer locksmiths have gotten violent with violent threats, verbal threats, death threats and unfortunately much more.
“I just want to warn people because someone … might be scared because that company is scaring people by saying they’ll send them to collections,” she said.
“They might be scared and just pay $800 for a lock, it’s ridiculous.”
A scammer locksmith will have a hard time sending you to a legitimate collections agency. Collection agencies are not stupid, they will ask for supporting documentation which the scammer locksmiths will not have. Do not be fooled by the collection agency trick. If they do send you to collections, you can fight it by signing up to a low-cost service called LegalShield.
Company says invoices issued after payment
“Locksmith Calgary told CBC Calgary they don’t provide a billing service, even for larger companies, and require all payments be made before an invoice is issued.”
This should be an immediate red flag. No legitimate company issues an invoice after payment. We, for example always issue an itemized invoice before the customer pays, because that’s the correct way of doing business. If a customer has a question, we’re always there to answer that question.
It is ok to ask the locksmith who their credit card processor is for collecting payments. Credit card processors are the companies that collect your payment on behalf of the merchant and then provide the merchant with the funds. Names of some credit card processors are: Moneris, Square, Payfirma, Helcim, Stripe. If the locksmith doesn’t know or refuses to answer the question, refuse to pay. If they demand cash, refuse to pay.
“On their website, Locksmith Calgary lists their service call fee as $15 plus labour and hardware costs. A lock change is listed as $35 dollars and a lock re-key as $19.”
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THESE PRICES AVAILABLE ONLY UNTIL May 31, 2018. YOU MUST BOOK BEFORE THEN.
Mr. Locksmith Abloy High Security Deadbolt
Residents of Vancouver, you have spoken, we have listened. 90% of break-ins are preventable, including at your complex. We’ve put together some recommendations on security upgrades for your complex and for your individual units. The Taymor locks that were installed on your property during the building envelope renovation are not high security. They’re a $10 deadbolt. They are not bump resistant, nor pick resistant. Mr. Locksmith is the largest locksmith company in the Lower Mainland.
If you wish to book an appointment to improve the security of your home book online.
I am also willing to come to your Strata or Condo AGM or if the owners decide, a security meeting.
Be proactive, do not let a burglar break-in because of a low quality deadbolt installed on your front door.
I train Locksmiths, Military, Police and Government agencies convert and overt methods of entry. The one Deadbolt on the market that has “no known convert” methods of entry and what I consider not only “pick resistant” but “pick proof” is Abloy Protec 2 Deadbolts. Most thieves go for the front door instead of the back door, or the windows. They act like they’re going to buy something, then kick the door in.
Mr. Locksmith
is an ABLOY® Protec Authorized Dealer
Abloy High Security Deadbolt
Abloy High Security Deadboltt front Door view
Abloy High Security Deadbolt front view
Abloy Deadbolt inside view
Abloy Deadbolt front view
Abloy Deadbolt Vancouver Special front view with Door Reinforcer
Abloy Deadbolt Vancouver Special front view with Door Reinforcer
18″ Strike Plate with 3″ screws to secure the plate to the frame and studs to prevent kick-ins.
Abloy Deadbolt Vancouver Special front view with Door Reinforcer
Abloy Deadbolt Vancouver Special with Door Reinforcer
Abloy High Security Deadbolt Vancouver Special inside view with T-Turn / Door Reinforcer
Prepping the door for installation of an Abloy Deadbolt, Door Reinforcer and Strike Plate (Vancouver Special)
If I get locked out, I know that it will not be an easy job gaining access through my Abloy High Security Deadbolt Protec 2 deadbolt. Most deadbolts and High Security deadbolts can be drilled open is seconds or minutes. I know that I or anybody will be spending a lot of time, effort and money trying to destroy my Abloy deadbolt.
If you wish to book an appointment to improve the security of house or condo book online.
The face of the Abloy High Security Deadbolt has hardened steel and will chew up a dozen expensive drill bits I use to open safes.
Note: most safes are opened with one drill bit.
I have reinforced my door with a Mag Plate that doubles the strength of the door and I have reinforced the door frame with an 18″ strike with 4″ screws attaching it to the door frame making the door and frame more difficult to force or kick open.
Bottom Line: I want to protect my family, my home and my stuff and I sleep better and go to work or vacation knowing I have the best lock, ABLOY Protec 2 deadbolt installed on my doors.
We at Mr. Locksmith suggest Vancouver residents upgrade to an Abloy High Security Deadbolt deadbolt with the following.
MAY 31, 2018 PRICING:
– Abloy deadbolt supplied and installed price per door: $550-$650 + $30 per key.
– OR Schlage B660 with Commercial Grade key and cylinder $400 / $7.50 per key
– Door reinforcer: $45
– 18″ Frame / Strike reinforcer with 3″ screws: $45
– 12″ Interlocking plate: $55
– Full Length Interlocking plate: $200
All prices supplied and installed. GST & PST extra.
There are Vancouver residents who are concerned with their security and have determined that they will require a high security lock. One of the reasons for this has to do with the problem of “Bump Keys” that have recently been highlighted in the news. A Bump Key is a device that works much like a lock pick. In addition, information regarding its construction and use is available to anyone online. As a matter of fact there are literally hundreds of videos detailing how to make and utilize a Bump Key on the Internet!
To make this situation even more serious, it doesn’t take any real level of expertise to use a Bump Key on your Taymor locks in Greenside Estates, since they are easier to use than a lock pick. Also, since a Bump Key resembles a normal key, law enforcers are less prone to noticing them, as opposed to lock picking tools. For this, and other reasons, bump-resistant and pick-resistant locks are in high demand. For locking systems of this nature, one of the most trusted names in deadbolts and other locking devices is Schlage.
Primus High-Security and Schlage B Series Locks
Schlage offers high-security Primus keys and cylinders and can also provide a 2nd milling that gives the advantage of a seamless integration with a current Schlage lock. This will also deter an unauthorized key replication by requiring an entry that is based on a pre-approved signer’s list.
The Schlage B600 Series is a commercial grade deadlock that is also exceptionally good for residential use especially in Greenside Estates, as well. This series of deadlocks possess bronze or solid brass cylinder collars along with an “ice-pick resistant” security shield. They also have ball bearings made of hardened steel, which are designed to protect their 2 heavy¼” mounting bolts against attacks that use a drill bit.
The entire B-Series (standard strikes) include a reinforcer that will attach to a wood frame with 2 heavy 3-inch screws. This design allows it to resist a kick-in attack. It will also resist cylinder wrenching due to its reinforced collars.
These locking systems can be used for more than just securing an entrance door. They are also perfect for protecting; storage facilities, pool gates, utility spaces and anywhere else where a high level of security is desired. The B600 series deadbolts can also be obtained with a choice of solid brass or bronze trim rings.
Specifications For the Schlage B 600 Series
- Fits 1-1/2″ and 2-1/8″ lock bores
- Meets ANSI A156.5, 1992, Grade 1 specifications
- 1″ Bolt throw with concealed hardened steel roller to resist cutting or sawing the latchbolt
- 2-3/4″ or 2-3/8″ backset latch
- Accommodates door thicknesses between 1-3/4″ and 2″
We were asked about how to protect your cars, sheds, and windows and patios.
I have the Top 10 security tips to secure your home during the holiday season.
1- Lock Your Doors
2- Lights, leave the TV on
3- Mail
4- Newspapers/Flyers, etc.
5- Alarms
6- CCTV
7- No Gifts seen from the street under the Christmas Tree
8- Lock your windows, doors, etc. all the time.
9- No Empty boxes outside showing off your new TV etc.
10- Facebook and Social Media
Bonus: Engrave everything, take pictures and serial numbers.
We get it, you are proud of your acquisitions and your possessions. There is no shame in that as you have worked hard to obtain all these items after all. However, remember a constant stream of boxes littered on obvious places in your house such as TV boxes scattered by the trash bin outside, online shopping shipments delivered to your homes, etc. is one way to get you noticed. Remember, robbers usually scout neighborhoods and mark potential homes as targets before committing a robbery and if you are constantly leaving traces of your purchases outside your home, you may be as well as pointing a big red arrow towards your house.
Leaving the Doors and Windows Unlocked
Over a third of burglars enter the house through the front door. After knocking to confirm no one is home, they’ll test the door to see if it’s unlocked. An alarming number of times they’ll discover they’ve hit the jackpot and walk right in. Keep your doors locked, even if you’re just running the kids to school or walking the dog. As a law enforcement officer, I took several reports of burglaries that occurred while the homeowner was right in the backyard playing with the kids. So don’t assume your presence will scare him away.
Lack of a Security System
When keeping your home safe, it’s important to leverage all your assets. This could be neighbors, proper gardening, and the police. But with cops on call several miles away, it’s unlikely that a law-abiding passerby will report a break-in. A security system can help automate this whole process for you, using censors to detect intrusion and reporting the incident to the security company, who can contact the proper authorities. You’ll need allies in your fight against burglars, and a security system is your Bat Signal.
Cars:
Realistically, cars will always get broken into if they are outside in your clusters or your visitor parking. Auto crime is huge in both Surrey and Langley. Because Greenside Estates does not have a garage, we suggest an alarm and a club to secure them. Do not leave valuables inside of your vehicle at any time.
Windows and Patios:
A Greenside Estates resident mentioned that her neighbours living was broken to enter the house. 3M break resistance film that’s also earthquake resistant will help prevent this. Do not leave your windows and patio door unattended. When leaving your property, close all of your windows and lock them. Unlocked doors and unlocked windows are an open invitation to thieves.
Sheds:
Many residents at Greenside Estates own sheds. Shed security depends on the door, but almost exactly the same protection as your front door (when properly secured). We would install a door blocker on your shed that would fit on the front of the shed deadbolt.
Mail Boxes:
Mr. Locksmith replaces and repairs mailboxes in most cases within 24 hours. There is no reason you need to replace everything. Be cost-effective. Contact us and we’ll give you a quote on fixing your mailroom fast, quick and easy.
If you wish to book an appointment to improve the security of your Vancouver home, call (604) 330-9915 or book online.
Terry Whin-Yates is the Founder, CEO & President of Mr. Locksmith email: tery@mrlocksmith.com
]]>For further information go to Mr. Locksmith.
My Favorite and what I consider the Best Deadbolts for Residential and Commerical Doors are as follows:
- Abloy High-Security Deadbolt Protec 2
- Schlage Primus High-Security Deadbolt
- Schlage Commercial Grade B660 Deadbolt with C123 or S123 Keyway
Abloy Deadbolt Vancouver Special front view with Door Reinforcer
Abloy Deadbolt front view
Abloy Deadbolt Vancouver Special front view with Door Reinforcer
18″ Strike Plate with 3″ screws to secure the plate to the frame and studs to prevent kick-ins.
Abloy High-Security Protec 2 Deadbolt:
- Pick Resistant if not Pick Proof.
- No known Picking Bypass techniques that do not leave a sign of tampering or entry.
- Drill resistant. Hardened steel as well as offering thick anti-drill plates. The face of the deadbolt has the best Hardened steel to deter drilling of any deadbolt on the market today.
- Patented Key Control (Only Professional and Factory Approved LocksmithDealer have Keys for duplication and then only with Owner Approval)
Schlage Primus High-Security Deadbolt:
- UL Rated Pick Resistance
- Patented Key Control (Only Professional and Factory Approved Locksmiths have Keys for duplication and then only with Owner Approval)
- Drill Resistance
- One of the most durable and popular deadbolts installed on Hospitals, Schools, Commerical and Residential buildings.
- After the Abloy Protec 2, Terry Whin-Yates Favorite High-Security Deadbolt.
Schlage Commercial Grade B660 Deadbolt with C123 or S123 Keyway:
- Patented Key Control
- One of the most durable and popular deadbolts installed on Hospitals, Schools, Commerical and Residential buildings.
- Terry Whin-Yates Favorite Deadbolt for customers not wanting a High-Security Deadbolt or Key Control.
- A difficult lock for even an experienced locksmith to pick open.
Mr. Locksmith Schlage B660 Mag Plate
Medeco Deadbolts deserve to be on the list but I still prefer the Top 3 Recommended for durability, availability of parts and I just plain like them. I have been installing these deadbolts since I was an apprentice.
The Deadbolts need help to withstand brute force attacks and kicking the door in. The following items are needed:
- Mag Plate or Door Reinforcer. Strengthens the door.
- 1*’ Strike installed on the door frame with 3″ screws screwed into the door frame and stud.
- Longer screws installed in the hinges.
- Bolt Buddy (Optional).
- Astral or Full-Length Plate (out swinging doors).
Abloy Deadbolt Vancouver Special with Door Reinforcer
The following video shows a Schlage B660 deadbolt, Mag Plate and Door Strike installed.
Call Mr. Locksmith for further information http://www.mrlocksmith.com/
or email: info@mrlocksmith.com
Mr. Locksmith Vancouver
Vancouver Locksmith Main: (604) 239-0882
Downtown Vancouver Locksmith: (604) 262-1907
Downtown Vancouver Keystore: (604) 669-8008
Mr. Locksmith Automotive: (604) 259-7617
For On-line and Hands-on Locksmith Training Dates and Cities near you by Terry Whin-Yates for Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced Locksmithing as well as my Covert Methods of Entry, Non-destructive Methods of Entry and to purchase the Famous “Dumb Key Force Tool” that opens Smart Key locks in seconds go to Mr. Locksmith Training
For Mr. Locksmith Franchise and Licensing Opportunities go to http://mrlocksmith.com/locksmithfranchise-opportunities/
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Blog
For further info go to Mr. Locksmith.
Hi, I’m Terry Whin-Yates from Mr. Locksmith. I have the Top 10 security tips to secure your home during the holiday season.
1- Lock Your Doors
2- Lights, leave the TV on
3- Mail
4- Newspapers/Flyers, etc.
5- Alarms
6- CCTV
7- No Gifts seen from the street under the Christmas Tree
8- Lock your windows, doors, etc. all the time.
9- No Empty boxes outside showing off your new TV etc.
10- Facebook and Social Media
Bonus: Engrave everything, take pictures and serial numbers.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Mr. Locksmith Top Ten Security Tips for the Home during the Holidays
Rekey your house or upgrade your deadbolts.
One of the first things you should do is lock your doors. Lock your doors, lock your windows, lock your patio doors, lock your car. Just lock it. It’s amazing how many homes and condos are open. You can walk through the neighborhood, and this is what the crooks do, we call them doorshakers, they just shake the door, see what’s unlocked, they go in and steal your stuff.
The next tip is rekey your house. If you don’t know where every single key is, if you’ve moved in and never changed the locks, if you’ve lost keys, if you’ve lent out keys to repair people, service people, whatever, rekey your house. You gotta know where they all are. It’s amazing how many break-ins happen because somebody has a key, they walk in and just open the door with the key and steal everything you got. So rekey your locks, upgrade your deadbolts put on some good high quality deadbolts that will stop the people from picking, bumping, kicking the doors in. Let’s make that door secure. Put on a good, high quality deadbolt. I have some great high security locks, the Abloy High Security Locks, Medeco and Schlage Primus. Upgrade your deadbolts to a good high-security lock, and don’t get the SmartKeybecause the are dumb.
Abloy Deadbolt Vancouver Special with Door Reinforcer
Make your house look lived in. If you have lights on, but have them, you know, you could nowadays, with, you could have them on programmable, you can have them turn off and on, get your lights on, have the house look lived in. One of my favorite things to do is when I go away is I leave the TV on. I put the TV on to the news channel, leave it there, I turn up the sound, the flickering of the TV screen makes it look like people are walking around in the house. The other cool feature is outside, all they hear is the bass, they hear boom boom boom boom boom. They can’t hear, they know somebody’s talking inside and they hear the bass outside, they see the flickering lights. Leaving the TV on is a fantastic way of making your house looked in.
Mail and newspapers. You’re going away, get the mail so it’s not piled up. Get somebody picking up your mail. Don’t just let it pack up there and make it look like the home’s not lived in. Same thing with newspapers, junk mail, flyers, all that garbage that comes during the holiday season. Get, if you’re away, get somebody to move it. One of the problems I had where I lived before, I always came in the back door and one day I went out the front door and there was like piles of flyers cuz I never went to the front door. Check your front door, make sure that there’s not a bunch of old stuff there, even if you’re home, you got all this stuff that makes it looks like nobody lives there. So when you’re going away, get some, get a help, get that stuff moved out of there.
One of my favorite security tips is get a gun safe for the home. First of all, if you have firearms, you should have a gun safe anyways to lock up your firearms. Firearms, ammunition, everything. However, you don’t have to have firearms in a gun safe. Even the inexpensive gun safes are a great place to store, you know, some of your, maybe your, some of your expensive china, pictures, paper and valuable items from fire. They will not protect any valuables at all from any burglary attempt. If you seen my other videos, you know how easy it is to open fire safes. Fire safes are good for fire protection only, not for valuables. Papers, that sort of thing. Burglary safes are rated for protecting your items, they’re burglar-resistant, they are meant for your jewelry, your gold, your cash. They are meant to slow down burglars. Your fire safe and your burglary safe should be secured, anchorable to the floor or wall, very easy to do. That slows the criminals down a little bit. You can get a combination fire and burglary safes together, so they have fire protection and burglary-resistant protection, That’s my favorite for the home. They’re not inexpensive, they start at $500 up but they’re a very good investment. You got one safe, does everything. If you have firearms in the house, you need a gun safe. Inexpensive gun safe to expensive gun safe, they’re all good. Of course the more money you spend, the more highly rated they are, the better it is to protect your firearms. One of my favorite thing is you don’t have guns, firearms to protect your goods. Get a big gun safe, anchor it to the wall and floor, and put in some of the stuff that you just don’t want stolen, you know, a few of your watches, some inexpensive jewelry, I put my, I have some favorite china that was given to me by my grandmother, I put my china in the gun safe. It’s big, it’s got a lot of space, I put my cameras in there. Yes, they should go in the fire safe, but half the time, no it’s not going in, so what I do is I put the my cameras, my camera gear, some bits and pieces, some of my favorite stuff is in my gun safe. Alarm systems. The days are now gone when a sticker on your door will stop them from busting in.
Gun Safe
Have a good quality alarm system but realize the limitations. Right now, everybody has alarms. Half the time they’re not turned on. You have an alarm system, turn it on. The thieves kick the door in, the alarm goes off, they run in real quick, steal what they can and get out. Alarm systems are great, but they’re not gonna stop break-ins anymore. One of the recommendations we do to a lot of people if you’re away, it’s inexpensive, but have a runner service. A runner service is a security guard company, when the alarm goes off, they get the notification, forget the police showing up, I don’t know what city you live in, the police never show up to home alarms, especially around the holiday season. It’s a low low priority if they even show up, so if you’re really concerned, have the alarm will go off, the runner service will show up, then if the runner service sees that there’s a break-in, they will call the police, and they will also, you know, you have an arrangement to secure your property if it was busted into. But again, alarm systems are great, they’re inexpensive. Monitored systems are getting less expensive and there’s even systems now that go right to your smartphone so you get a break-in, your smartphone will go off. Which takes me to the next point. I love cameras. You could put cameras inside your house now, cameras are not gonna prevent crime, but they do aide the police in identifying who went in, and if they can look at the video and see who’s been in there, then they can usually piece it together with other break-ins in the area. Burglars and criminals don’t get caught until their 27th break-in, so they’re doing break-in, break-in, break-in, and the statistics show they get caught about every 27th break-in, so they’ve had a good free for all for a long time, so when you have some video evidence, it can help. Also, it’s amazing when you have break-ins and you see it’s a relative or a neighbor, that’s always kind of amazing when you see that. So, cameras are great to have and again, you can monitor these from your smartphone.
If your Christmas tree is visible from outside, because you’re showing off the lights, whatever, don’t have gifts under the Christmas tree. A lot of people that come home after shopping, or out at a party, and every gift under the tree is stolen, you can see it from the street, you can see inside, they got the lights on, they got everything, they looks like nobody’s home, there’s all the gifts, they go in there and steal the gifts. Don’t have your Christmas gifts visible under the tree from outside. Common sense there. This helps a little bit before Christmas, but especially after Christmas or Boxing Day in Canada. Don’t put the empty boxes outside on the street. You got the new TV set, you got the new home theater system, got whatever, don’t put the boxes on the street. Flatten them, cut them, turn them inside out, don’t make it look like you’ve got that brand new super duper 4K TV set, and there’s the empty box sitting on the street. Don’t put your empty boxes showing what you got on the street.
Mr. Locksmith Terry Whin-Yates
Facebook and Social Media. Don’t post, we’re going away to Hawaii on vacation on your Facebook. You have friends and they may have shady friends and people know you’re going away, they know you’re away for a month, they got a long time to plan to get your house. Yeah I know it’s tough, we like to post things but be aware, other people will now know your house is empty.
One of the basics that nobody does anymore, and it’s a real help to the police when they recover your stolen goods is engrave your information on everything you own. Put your name, put your phone number and the one thing that the police love is you put your driver’s license number. Put your state or province, put your driver’s license number on your items that you own. Put your name on it, put it on the back of the TV, put it on everything. You can buy these little Dremel engravers and just engrave information on everything you own. I’ve gone into houses and I’ve seen where they’ve noticed the big engraving on everything and they’ve just left it behind. Social security numbers and social insurance numbers aren’t good to put on, because a lot of times the different government agencies can’t access that information. One thing in the old days they would say put that on, but police departments have a difficult time getting that information from the government. So your driver’s license information, your phone number with area code is fantastic.
I hope you enjoyed the Top 10 security tips for securing your home during the holidays. And I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope you enjoyed watching this video. Subscribe to my 24hr Mr. Locksmith YouTube channel.
For On-line and Hands-on Locksmith Training Dates and Cities near you for Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced Locksmithing as well as my Covert Methods of Entry, Non-destructive Methods of Entry and to purchase the Famous “Dumb Key Force Tool” that opens Smart Key locks in seconds go to Mr. Locksmith Training website
For Locksmith Franchise and Licensing Opportunities go to Mr. Locksmith website
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Image Source: Flickr
Below are 3 tips to secure your basement windows:
Install Window Bars
Security bars are a great way to make sure that a burglar rules out your home immediately. Security bars will deter criminals, and create a physical obstacle to prevent them from breaking in. Window bars come in many shapes and styles. Permanent bars are often the safest, and are for long term use, however, there are other types! Swing-away bars are locked down by a mechanism internally, so they cannot be unlocked from the outside, or often they can be secured by a padlock. The bars can swing open to provide egress in emergencies, or access the window. Removable bars let you secure the window when you’d like- you can use it just at night, or when you’re on vacation! They’re quick and easy to install, and act as a great layer of protection for your home. Source: SimpliSafe
Reinforced Glass
There are several methods of reinforcing your glass windows with secure materials. The first is with tempered glass, which is much more durable than traditional glass and therefore more difficult to break. It is also one of the least expensive options for reinforced glass, although it is still expensive when compared to traditional glass panes. Laminated glass, also known as safety glass, is another excellent option for your home’s windows. Laminated glass usually consists of a layer of vinyl sandwiched between two sheets of regular glass. To break through safety glass, a burglar would have to strike repeatedly in the same spot, creating a lot of noise – and thus proving to be an excellent thief deterrent. Source: SafeSoundFamily
Use a Home Security Monitoring System
A good home security system can deter a would-be burglar or alert neighbors and authorities in case of a break-in. Place glass-shatter sensors near the basement windows and have cameras around the basement windows area — or install an entry sensor on the window. Source: TopTenReviews
Contact:
Mr. Locksmith
555 W. Hastings St
L21A
Vancouver BC V6B 4N4
(604) 259-2953
Image Source: Flickr
Below are 3 important things to consider in choosing a reliable security monitoring company:
Recommendations
As with any major purchase, it pays to shop around. I asked friends for recommendations and did a lot of online research, although I couldn’t get accurate pricing information without speaking to sales representatives. Don’t fall for high-pressure sales techniques or scare tactics. Once you’ve identified a few good candidates, check for customer complaints with the Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List or other trusted reviewers. The Federal Trade Commission provides tips for choosing a home security system and identifying common scams. Source: HuffingtonPost
Credentials
Think of the process like you are interviewing candidates for a job. You want to find the best fit for your situation. You also want to make sure the security company you choose has the proper credentials to help you if/when you need it. Here are a few things to look for.
- Monitoring Station– Is the monitoring station company-owned, or do they outsource it? Is the station CSAA and U.L. Certified? A station with these certifications has to meet stringent security and monitoring standards and is regularly tested to ensure compliance.
- Reputation– Look around your community. What security signs do you see in your neighbors’ lawns? Ask them about their experience with those companies. Ask friends and family who they use and if they would recommend their security company. Check the Better Business Bureau to see the security company’s grade.
- History– How long has the company been in business? Just as a long, detailed employment history looks good on a job application, if the company has been in business awhile, it usually means they are doing something right. Source: AckermanSecurity
Services
Trustworthy alarm services, from companies like Alarm Relay, believe that successful monitoring is not just about using the most up-to-date technology. Monitoring also requires dedicated Central Station operators who are truly concerned for your safety. It is important to be sure that the alarm monitoring company you choose to use is accessible and responds promptly to your inquiries and requests. Source: AlarmRelay
For more information about our high quality alarm monitoring services, contact us here!
Contact:
Mr. Locksmith
555 W. Hastings St
L21A
Vancouver BC V6B 4N4
(604) 259-2953
Continue reading to learn more about these 3 security tips to consider when moving:
Replacing the Current Locks
The first thing you should do when you move into a new house is to replace the current locks to your home using a vetted, inspected and qualified locksmith.
Ideally replace locks with a patented or a restricted locking system, do make sure you pick the correct lock though. Patented keys carry legal protection, preventing copies being made without providing proof of ownership, while restricted keys are unlikely to be copied due to their unusual design and unique mechanical features. This means that extra keys can’t be made without your knowledge and previous owners or tenants do not still have access to your home.
In addition, when patented keys are stolen or go missing, the existing key can be deleted from a locksmith’s key code database, the lock re-configured and new keys issued, ensuring that lost or stolen keys no longer work. Source: Locksmiths
Bolstering Sliding Doors
Balcony doors are great for sunshine and views, but they can pose a hazard if they are not properly secured. An unsecured sliding door can provide an intruder with a relatively untraceable and quiet entrance to your place. While it’s important to always lock your balcony door when it’s not in use, many sliding doors have inadequate locks and come off their tracks with just a nudge. For optimal security, make sure to arm your sliding door with an inside bar lock or a pole on the track. You can also install a secondary locking mechanism with a metal pin inserted through the doorframe and into the sliding door. Source: SafeWise
Establishing a Safe haven
Follow three basic steps in setting up a safe-haven in your home:
- Designate an internal room;
- Install a two-way communications system or telephone; and
- Furnish the safe haven with an emergency kit.
It is highly unlikely you would spend more than a few hours in a safe haven; however, the supplies listed below are suggested for your maximum safety. Your security officer can tell you more about how to select and secure your safe haven. Source: State
Contact:
Mr. Locksmith
555 W. Hastings St
L21A
Vancouver BC V6B 4N4
(604) 259-2953
Below are 3 common home security mistakes during holidays:
Post Pile Up
Nothing alerts a burglar like mail overflowing from the mailbox, or newspapers piled up in your driveway. Stop mail and newspaper delivery while you’re out of town, and enlist a neighbor to pick up any packages or other deliveries that may arrive while you’re gone. Source: AlarmRelay
Bushy Landscape
Having leafy trees and untrimmed shrubs adds a wild side to your landscape, but you need to know that you are giving the burglar lots of rooms to maneuver and move around undetected. The thief won’t move only under the cover of darkness, but also during broad daylight since they have the advantage of shadows. Source: Ericabuteau
Social Media
The lights are off, the cars are gone, and mail, newspapers and packages have accumulated. This paints the perfect picture for an easy burglary target. When leaving for a vacation or business trip, consider what your vacant home will look like, and seek ways to maintain the appearance of an active home.
- Ask neighbors or relatives to pick up the mail in your absence.
- Invest in an energy management solution that allows you to schedule and remotely control lights within your home. Source: VectorSecurity
Securing your home means more than just locking the doors when you leave. If you want to know more about home security services, please give us a call or contact us here.
Contact:
Mr. Locksmith
555 W. Hastings St
L21A
Vancouver BC V6B 4N4
Canada
Below are 3 things you should know about home security cameras:
Types
There is a wide variety of security cameras, and each one serves a different purpose. From fixed cameras to pan and tilt cameras, night vision cameras to motion detection cameras, there are security cameras for nearly every scenario.
When researching security cameras, keep in mind that many will have compound features, for example: “outdoor, night vision, pan and tilt cameras” or “fixed, dome IP cameras.” The list below will help you understand your options and pick the right camera for you. Source: SafeWise
Features
The chart above provides a side by side comparison of five DIY security cameras that are widely available today. As you can see, they share a lot of similarities, but there are also some subtle differences. Here’s a more in-depth comparison of what’s currently on the market.
- Connectivity and power source
- App
- Video
- Storage and subscriptions
- Field of view
- Price
- Advanced features Source: Cnet
Professional Consultation
Every home is different and every family’s needs are different. That’s why you should have a professional security consultant take a look at your home and listen to your security goals so they can help you design a video surveillance system that works best for you and your home. Source: AckermanSecurity
If you want to know more about home security cameras, please give us call or contact us now!
Contact:
Mr. Locksmith
555 W. Hastings St
L21A
Vancouver BC V6B 4N4
Canada
In a Potted Plant
Get creative! Your camera will not be so easily spotted if you hide it inside a nondescript household object. Make sure to use something that you would usually keep in your room or office; an out-of-place object may arouse suspicion.
Consider hiding the camera in the leaves of a potted plant or deep in the recesses of a bookshelf–anywhere that someone will be unlikely to look closely. Make sure that the camera lens is pointing where you need it to point. Source: wikiHow
In a Bird Box
An ordinary bird nesting box can make a fantastic disguise for a camera. Choose a style that is completely enclosed, with just a small hole in the front for birds to enter and exit. The lens of a small bullet camera can sit just behind this hole, capturing everything that happens outside your property without being seen. If you are using a wired camera security system, then you will need to drill a hole in the rear of the box for the cables. A wireless security camera can simply be placed inside the box and connected wirelessly to the home security network. You can then mount the box on the side of your house or on a garden wall or fence. The advantage of using a bird box as a disguise, rather than a garden ornament or rock, is that you can use a high vantage point, which could give you a better view of intruders’ faces. Source: eBay
Under a Light Switch
We learned that it worked perfectly well with the iCam software and their tech support was familiar with this unit. It took all of 15 minutes to set it up via a web browser while being wired to our computer.
We made the square cut using an X-acto knife and got the power from our friendly AC outlet, snaked the wires through the opening and started working with the blank light switch plate template for the lens and status light’s openings.
This took a little bit of trial and error, but we finally found the perfect location. We used a regular hot glue gun to attach the camera (which we stripped from its pedestal base to minimize footprint) to the switch plate. Source: ApartmentTherapy
Contact:
Mr. Locksmith
555 W. Hastings St
L21A
Vancouver BC V6B 4N4
Canada