How to Frustrate a Crook

One of the most frustrating things to experience is being robbed. The feeling of helplessness, knowing that someone else took full advantage of you and enjoying your stuff is enough to make even the Pope curse a blue streak. Knowing that there’s almost nothing you can do about it, makes the frustration even worse.

Well maybe you can do something. Maybe not get even to the level you would like, but you can turn the tables on the crooks and maybe get some of your stuff back but, to do that, you must be proactive. Aside from the precautions, I’ve been telling you about on this blog, you can prepare in case the thief somehow manages to get through your layers of security.

What do you own?

Start by making an inventory of all your valuables. Include as much information as possible, especially it’s value. You can put the inventory on a spreadsheet and print out a copy. It’s best if you can include photographs of the property. Burn the inventory and photos on to a disc. Do not leave the inventory on the computer, delete the file. If the computer is stolen, the thief will now have a complete list of all the valuables in your house. Put the inventory sheet and or disc in a book or at another safe location where you will always have quick access.

 

Mark your stuff!

Marking identifiers on your valuables such as electronics makes it easier for police to identify stolen items and return to the rightful owners if it’s easily identifiable and undesirable to thieves. Marked stolen goods are also harder to fence or sell at flea markets. And, it really ticks off the thieves!

Mark your valuables with a simple UV pen or an engraver, or both. The ink is invisible until UV light is applied (black light). Theses pens can be found just about anywhere pens are sold and usually under $10.00. Engraving tools run anywhere from $30 - $40. You can also use a Dremmel Tool with an engraving attachment. Most pawn shops will not accept marked item unless the seller can prove the markings are his.

 

Mark your items with an identifier such as your address numbers and a phone number, last four digits of your driver’s license number, something that can be identified to you only. Do not use your SSN and avoid using address numbers if you tend to move a lot. Make sure you use the same identifier on all your property and put this identification number on your inventory sheet. 

Let the burglars know you’re prepared.

A warning sign on your windows can also be a deterrent to thieves who might not want to take a chance with un-loadable property. You can just print one out and tape it to the inside of your windows.

Advent Security window sticker taped to inside of window.

Wire your belongings.

Attached (glue) vibration sensors to your TV and other electronics or valuables. They’re about $12 each but still cheaper than having to replace a TV or Xbox. No thief will want to leave your house with a TV or Xbox blaring an ear piercing 120 decibel alarm.

Vibration sensors can be attached to just about anything.

For the Techies

A tech savvy homeowner could also rig up an alarm that attaches to the bottom of an item that will sound when it is picked up. That alarm should scare the daylights of a thief and quickly reconsider staying in your house for long.

Serious positive recovery

For the more discerning homeowner who wants his stuff back ASAP, Data Dots may be just the thing. Data Dots are tiny microscopic discs (microdots) that contain unique information that's linked to your property and you. As small as a grain of sand, DataDots are recognized as being one of the most effective ways of preventing theft, and play a crucial role in the recovery and return of stolen goods. The unique etched code on the DataDot is stored on our worldwide verification database, DataBaseDNA. Data Dots can even be applied to vehicles.

Data Dot magnified and actual size.

Data Dot Reader.

http://www.datadotdna.com/us/brand_datadot.php

Here are some other, but expensive methods, for identifying or locating your stuff.

Locate lost items with your phone: http://www.dvice.com/archives/2012/03/locate_your_stu.php

Live GPS tracking for personal use: http://www.liveviewgps.com/

Tricks that just don’t work on thieves anymore.

If you’ve read this blog for any length of time you’ll notice that I don’t advocate the use of decoy safes and fake security equipment. Those items have now become more of a novelty item. Here’s why I don’t advocate these products. While most crooks won’t spent their time checking your fridge or garage, most of the more experienced thieves already know which products are used as decoys and will look for them first because that’s where the high dollar items will be stashed. These decoy safes can easily be thrown in a bag and easily hauled off.

It’s easy to make your own or at least use a hollowed out book or a cereal box but, it's best to use a wall safe behind a picture frame or a locking false outlet. These things can’t be thrown in a bag and easily hauled off if they're secured to the wall.

You can take a chance on these.

Decoy safes come in 12 different "brands"

   

If you like this decoy safe, at least use one that locks.

 

Fake Cameras

Seriously? Does anyone really believe a crook doesn’t know real cameras don’t have blinking red lights? Besides, most fake cameras do not look realistic enough and easily identifiable as a fake. If you’re going to spend the money on realistic camera, you might as well install real ones.

 

Crooks may be stupid, but even they

 can tell this is a fake.

Fake rocks for keys

Just say no to fake rocks. Burglars are already so familiar with these that they now look for them first. Most homeowners who use the fakes usually place them within 6 feet of the house which makes the even easier for the crooks to find. These plastic replicas just don’t look real enough and don’t blend in well. I’ve seen so many of these realistically fake looking rocks in my time and they don’t really fool anyone but the homeowner who still uses them. Stop it already. Would you really trust your security to a $12 piece of plastic?

 

Genuine fake rock.                                    Safe? Is this really safe?

Fake sprinkler heads.

See above. Again, these things became so popular, even by people without sprinkler systems, that crooks look for them as well. A good idea when they first came out, but they’ve become cliché. 

 
Now, if you want to frustrate a crook, put a fake key in these "safes". He may spend enough time trying to unlock your door that he may get caught. Or, he could break the key off in your lock.

Folks, understand that these products are NOT security measures, they are for your convenience and marketed with the illusion of security. You must take your security seriously and not depend on a cheap outdated or gimmick products that aren't true security measures. Know that crooks also surf the web to see what they’re up against and how to get the upper hand over you. They Google break-in techniques, hiding spaces, and security products, they trade information between each other and even post lists of easy houses and good locations, areas with poor police reaction times, and where the best fencing operations are. 

Advents products are true security measures that add layers to your security that work, not gimmicks. Advent products are affordable and reliable with no possibility of being used by the crooks.