Image Source: Flickr
Fees
Some of the best things in life are free, but that doesn’t apply to home security systems. Many of these home security salesmen will tell you that there is a “small” monthly monitoring fee. This fee is usually about $35 to $55. There is also typically a contract involved. Should you decide to sign up, but then change your mind later, you will be hit with a big cancellation fee. Some companies also attempt to tack on other “administrative” fees once they’ve hooked you in. In the end, this “free” system could end up costing you thousands of dollars. Source: Wafflesatnoon
Sales Tactics
They may make a time-limited offer, and claim that you need to act now. For example, they may try to get you to sign a contract by telling you that the equipment is “free.” More than likely, strings are attached. For example, to get your “free” alarm, you may have to sign a long-term and expensive system monitoring contract.
They may pressure their way into your home and then refuse to leave. It is not impolite or rude to tell a salesperson you’re not interested. It’s much easier — and safer — to say “no” on the doorstep than to try to get the salesperson to leave once they’re inside. If a salesperson continues to pressure you after you’ve asked them to leave, call the police.
They may use scare tactics. For example, they may talk about a rash of supposed burglaries in your neighborhood. Source: ConsumerInformation
Upgrades
Unscrupulous sales agents imply that they’re from your existing security company and that they need to “upgrade” or “replace” your current system. Their goal: To pressure you into signing a new monitoring contract, at inflated prices and with a five-year term or longer. Victims who sign these deals often find they can’t get out of the contract without paying a penalty.
Scammers may claim that your original system installer has gone out of business and that they’ve taken over the contracts. Their goal: To convince you to buy new equipment and sign new contracts again, at a higher price and long-term lock-in. Source: ConsumerReports
To get a quality security system installed in your home or office, contact us here:
Contact:
Mr. Locksmith
555 W. Hastings St
L21A
Vancouver BC V6B 4N4
(604) 259-2953
Below are 3 best outdoor security cameras:
ADT Camera
ADT offers the OCR-810 day/night wireless security camera, compatible with the company’s Pulse home automation package. The ADT Pulse® package provides one indoor and two outdoor cameras, but you can connect up to 10 cameras to your system. The OCR-810 requires a solid, secure wireless connection to speak to the Pulse system. An ADT monitoring Wi-Fi extender may help to increase the range of your wireless signal. The camera also requires an AC power source.
The motion-activated camera records clips in 30-second segments and stores them on ADT’s secure WPA2-encrypted server for 30 days. You can also select preset recording times and take advantage of 24/7 monitoring through ADT monitoring’s fully staffed monitoring centers. Source: Safewise
Foscam Camera
This Foscam camera has one of the easiest connection setups. All you do is scan the camera’s QR code with your smartphone and it is connected. You have the option as to how you’d like to store your video footage: on a hard drive or using the Foscam Cloud service for remote storage. Included with your purchase is a free trial of Foscam Cloud so you can see if you like it before you pay for it. The camera is weatherproof making it a great fit for the outdoors. Source: Asecurelife
Loftek Camera
Loftek focuses on the development, design and manufacturing of consumer surveillance and security product, including a range of high-quality security cameras that are designed to withstand outdoor environments and deliver exceptional day/night video performance even in complete darkness.
- Wired and wireless models
- Motion detection can be integrated into and alarm/alert system
- Wide angle lenses and distance viewing Source: Safesoundfamily
If you want to know more about outdoor home security cameras, please give us a call or contact us here.
Contact:
Mr. Locksmith
555 W. Hastings St
L21A
Vancouver BC V6B 4N4
Canada
Susan Lazaruk interviewed Terry Whin-Yates for an articule she was researching for THE PROVINCE Newspaper.
Complete story in The Province “Vancouver locksmith show us how to effortlessly break into a safe.”
Jason Payne, Photojournalist is seen here taking pictures, video and more research. I think he had alot of fun seeing how easy it was to open the Sentry Safe.
Terry Whin-Yates from Mr. Locksmith can easily break into Sentry Safes with electronic locks typically found in homes and hotels using a good old-fashioned technique his grandfather used.
The YouTube post showing how Terry Whin-Yates effortlessly cracks a small safe using a large, strong magnet and a sock had racked up more than a million hits by Friday after just a week online.
“The video is literally going viral,” said the owner of Mr. Locksmith. “This thing was just a quick posting, and I’m surprised at how much attention it’s getting.”
Jason Payne, Photojournalist taking pictures, video and more research.
Jason Payne, Photojournalist taking pictures, video and more research.
Jason Payne, Photojournalist checking out the Sentry Safe.
For Hands-On Locksmith Training dates in a City near and On-Line Training and to order the “Dumb Key Force Tool” go to Mr. Locksmith Training.
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Go to Mr. Locksmith Training for Hands-On and On-Line Locksmith, Militray and Police Methods of Entry Training.
Schlage makes great Comercial Grade locks but some of their Residential Locks sold in Hardware stores are just too easy to open. The method shown here is considered to be “Overt” or “Forced Entry” because you can see the small hole drilled in the deadbolt lock case. However, the hole can easily be sealed or covered up.
Unfortunitly, most Residential Grade Electronic or Keyless Entry locks available at your local Hardware store are very vulneaable to covert, overt or forced entry.
Coming Soon: More Residential Electronic Locks tested and failed!
Call a Mr. Locksmith near you and they will recommend locks to secure your house or business.
For Hands-On Locksmith Training dates in a City near you go to Mr. Locksmith.
How to Open a Schlage Keyless Touchscreen Deadbolt Lock in Seconds
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Below are 3 common cause of false alarms and how to prevent them:
Lack of Maintenance/Upkeep
The maintenance and proper use of an alarm system is the responsibility of the alarm user. False alarms can be caused by a variety of things; most are caused by human error. Defective equipment, telephone line trouble, electrical problems, improperly installed or adjusted equipment and overly sensitive sensors also cause false alarms.
How to prevent it: The best way to avoid false alarm fees is to ensure that your system is in good working order and that everyone uses it properly. If you are aware that your system has emitted a false alarm, have your alarm company cancel the police response. If we are canceled within five minutes, you will not be charged. If your system is set off because of a criminal act, report the crime to the Police and contact the Alarm Administrator. Source: Cityofdayton
Poorly-Designed Security Systems
Your system is more susceptible to false alarms If the installer did not consider the home, who lives in the home and how you use the home.
Some examples of a poorly designed security system include:
- Smoke detectors placed too close to heat sources. Your smoke detectors shouldn’t be too close to stoves or fireplaces or they could easily trigger false alarms.
- Smoke detectors placed too close to bathrooms. Steam from the bathroom can also cause false alarms.
- Not using pet-friendly motion detectors in a home with pets. A normal motion detector will cause all kinds of trouble for families with pets.
- Bad wiring. If you have a hard-wired alarm system, the wires can get crossed or come loose and cause false alarms.
- Loose doors or windows. Sensors on loose doors or windows can trigger false alarms when the door or window jiggles.
- Incorrectly placed motion sensors. Motion sensors placed too near a heating or cooling vent can create a false alarm. Check out our best practices for placing motion detectors.
How to prevent it: Hire a trustworthy security company to install a custom security system rather than relying on pre-packaged security products. Source: Ackermansecurity
Outdated or Old Equipment
False alarms are typically due to human error. In fact, roughly 70 percent of false alarms are attributed to user mistakes. But if you think a false alarm is caused by a malfunction of your home security system, contact your provider immediately. A representative from your home security company will be glad to check the status of your alarm system.
How to prevent it: The most fundamental way to prevent false alarms is by using your home security system on a regular basis. When your family uses the security system consistently, they’ll get comfortable with how it works, and that means there’s less likelihood of a false alarm. Source: Safewise
Contact:
Mr. Locksmith
555 W. Hastings St
L21A
Vancouver BC V6B 4N4
Canada
You can buy a Zombie Proof house from Tiger Log Cabins and they are ready and willing to stand behind its product by offering a 10-year anti-zombie guarantee.
Add our Life Time Guaranteed Zombie Proof deadbolts to your house.
However, at Mr. Locksmith we are offering the ultimate Life Time guaranteed Zombie Proof Schlage Heavy Duty Deadbolt with reinforced door plate and 18″ strike plate with 3 inch screws to protect the frame of the door.
Call today and get your Zombie Proof deadbolts installed.
Heavy Duty Deadbolts starting at $295 Installed
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Now I have developed a method to open the Smart Key Deadbolts with a key blank available for .15 to .25 cents each. Yes, a key blank sold at any hardware store or locksmith wholesaler. I will be posting to Youtube my efforts to show Weiser or Kwikset representatives how easy it is to open their Smart Key deadbolt locks. (Note: the Smart Key Key-in-Knobs are too simple to open but then they are not protecting your front door to your house or condo).
See Part One of my attempt to show Weiser Smart Key representatives how I open the lock. Note: For my efforts I had Hot Popcorn tossed into my face! And with only one eye, I can still open your locks!
Part Two will be posted soon but I have to delete the swearing from a Weiser Rep so I can post on Youtube.
Locksmith Video “How to Open a Kwikset Smart Key Lock in 10 seconds.”
The Weiser Smart Key and Kwikset Smart key locks can be opened almost as quick as you can put your key into the lock. Several manufacturers sell tools to open the Smart Key locks in seconds. The major problem is with little or no training you can open the Smart Key lock with no visible damage to the lock. Several years ago Youtube had videos on “How To” pick open a brand of bike lock with a pic pen. The manufacturer had stated the lock was “pick proof” and was forced by bad PR and lots of online videos to recall all the faulty bike locks. Their new and improved locks could no longer be picked quickly by amateurs. Most locks can be defeated and picked if you have been trained and practice everyday for months or years, however, this video demonstrates how easy the Smart Key lock can be defeated by anyone.
I am only demonstrating what professional locksmiths have known for years and the information has been available on the Internet for years. The public must know these locks are not secure for protecting your valuables. If you are a victim of a burglar, theft or Break and Enter and their is no visible sign of entry your insurance company may not pay for any claims. The “Emperor has no Clothes”
Hope this Video is helpful.
Terry Whin-Yates Mr. Locksmith – 604-773-5625
]]>BBB, BC Consumer Protection and the BC Crime Prevention Association.
The top ten list identifying the Fraudulent and Unlicensed Locksmiths was developed jointly by the BBB, BC Consumer Protection and the BC Crime Prevention Association.
BBB “Consumers reported “local locksmiths” advertising online using a local telephone number and local address, but when contacted, consumers are connected to a call centre in another city.
Consumers who have hired these companies allege they have been overcharged for products and services, received bad advice or poor workmanship, or have had difficulty contacting the business to correct problems.
AVOID FRAUD, DON’T BE A VICTIM: Don’t just pick the first “local” company you find online. Most of the Google “Paid Ads” are unlicensed locksmiths. Confirm the company address and ask for the legal name of the business. When the locksmith arrives, ask for identification, a business card and their BC Security Employee license. All reputable companies will take Visa or MasterCard if they insist on cash only beware.
I was contacted by a lady yesterday who said she was a victim of a Unlicensed Locksmith company she found on Google Ad Words in Downtown Vancouver who wanted to charge her over $300 to replace a mailbox lock she had lost the keys to. She paid the two “scuffy looking men” $160 cash and still has no keys to her mailbox.
Note: Mr. Locksmith charges only $95 + HST to pick open and replace the mailbox lock and we supply 2-3 keys.
Mr. Locksmith is a BC Licensed Locksmith Company (B4227) and is a 24 Hr. Emergency Mobile locksmith specializing in lock rekeys, lock outs, high security deadbolt installation and are experts in picking locks (except UL Listed Pick Resistant Locks eg Schlage Primus, Medeco, ASSA). Mr. Locksmith has a locksmith store at SFU Harbour Centre at 555 W Hastings. (Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm).
Step One
a) Insert Reset (blue) key into deadbolt lock.
b) Turn Reset (blue) key 30 degrees left (counter clockwise).
c) Remove Reset (blue) key from lock (Note: do not turn key).
Step Two
a) Insert new Reset (blue) key into keyway.
b) Turn new Reset (blue) key Right 30 degrees (clockwise).
c) Remove Reset (blue) key from lock.
Final Step Three
Test lock with New Schlage keys (matching Step Two Reset (blue) key).
Note: Do not use Reset (blue) key for everyday use.
Blue Key Blank (Left), Blue Key Cut (Center) and Regular or daily use key (Right)
The Reset (blue) key has a thinner key blade and different millings than a regular Schlage SC1 key.
If you have lost all yours keys to the Schlage SecureKey lock(s) you must replace the lock cylinder. (Good time to upgrade the lock cylinder to a regular or commercial Schlage cylinder).
I highly recommend most of the Schlage deadbolts and key-in-knobs. I have been installing Schlage deadbolts for over 30 years and my favorite is the B660 Heavy Duty and Primus High Security deadbolts. However, the Schlage SecureKey Deadbolt in its current configuration has similar weaknesses as the Weiser Smart Key and Kwikset Smart Key locks. The Schlage SecureKey lock can be picked by experienced locksmiths (Weiser Smart Key lock picking competitions have Schlage SecureKey as a comparison). However, the Weiser Smart Key can be opened in seconds while the Schlage SecureKey is slightly more secure.
In future blogs I will demonstrate how easy it is to defeat these locks and why you should not install these customer rekeyable locks on your home or business. Again, Schlage has a great line of residential and commercial grade deadbolts and locks but I cannot recommend the Schlage SecureKey locks for my customers.
I appreciate any comments especially from Schlage or Weiser / Kwikset (Black and Decker).
Terry Whin-Yates BA Hons (Criminology)
3rd Generation Master Locksmith
25+ Years Experience
BC Security Business License : B4227
604-773-5625
Call Toll Free: 1-866-886-5006
http://www.mrlocksmith.com
http://www.mrprolock.com
FLICKIR :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/become-a-locksmith
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrlocksmith/
FACEBOOK:
http://www.facebook.com/becomealocksmith
YOUTUBE
: http://www.youtube.com/user/24hrMrLocksmith
TWITTER
: http://twitter.com/becomelocksmith
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Step One
a) Insert Reset (blue) key into deadbolt lock.
b) Turn Reset (blue) key 30 degrees left (counter clockwise).
c) Remove Reset (blue) key from lock (Note: do not turn key).
Step Two
a) Insert new Reset (blue) key into keyway.
b) Turn new Reset (blue) key Right 30 degrees (clockwise).
c) Remove Reset (blue) key from lock.
Final Step Three
Test lock with New Schlage keys (matching Step Two Reset (blue) key).
Note: Do not use Reset (blue) key for everyday use.
Blue Key Blank (Left), Blue Key Cut (Center) and Regular or daily use key (Right)
The Reset (blue) key has a thinner key blade and different millings than a regular Schlage SC1 key.
If you have lost all yours keys to the Schlage SecureKey lock(s) you must replace the lock cylinder. (Good time to upgrade the lock cylinder to a regular or commercial Schlage cylinder).
I highly recommend most of the Schlage deadbolts and key-in-knobs. I have been installing Schlage deadbolts for over 30 years and my favorite is the B660 Heavy Duty and Primus High Security deadbolts. However, the Schlage SecureKey Deadbolt in its current configuration has similar weaknesses as the Weiser Smart Key and Kwikset Smart Key locks. The Schlage SecureKey lock can be picked by experienced locksmiths (Weiser Smart Key lock picking competitions have Schlage SecureKey as a comparison). However, the Weiser Smart Key can be opened in seconds while the Schlage SecureKey is slightly more secure.
In future blogs I will demonstrate how easy it is to defeat these locks and why you should not install these customer rekeyable locks on your home or business. Again, Schlage has a great line of residential and commercial grade deadbolts and locks but I cannot recommend the Schlage SecureKey locks for my customers.
I appreciate any comments especially from Schlage or Weiser / Kwikset (Black and Decker).
Terry Whin-Yates BA Hons (Criminology)
3rd Generation Master Locksmith
25+ Years Experience
BC Security Business License : B4227
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