| tart --> | | | | burgled because you left the front door or a |
| The term lock bumping conjures up images of | | | | window open or someone simply broke down |
| people in stripy jumpers with eye masks on | | | | your door. The main reason for this is that lock |
| bumping against a locked door on the off chance | | | | bumping requires the procurement of a blank key |
| that it will open and they can fill their bags full of | | | | that fits your lock and an amount of tapping |
| 'swag'. The reality is a lot less glamorous and a lot | | | | around the lock on your door with a hammer, |
| more worrying. | | | | something that would not go un-noticed in the |
| Lock bumping refers to a method of picking a | | | | most unfriendly neighborhood. |
| lock that is effective against pin-tumbler locks. | | | | The message has to be don't panic. Most modern |
| These types of lock are prevalent throughout the | | | | locks have some degree of protection against |
| world and are used on most North American | | | | bumping and Schlage and Medeco locks cannot be |
| doors. It involves the procurement of a key blank | | | | bumped. Many locks and keys are patented and |
| for the type of lock that you want to open and | | | | this means that the availability of the key blanks |
| an amount of work dependant on the type of | | | | is strictly controlled through authorized dealers. |
| lock that you have. | | | | Only a rogue employee or a disaffected dealer |
| It has been shown on popular television that an | | | | could cause problems in this area, someone who |
| average person can effect entry into your home | | | | can easily be traced. |
| using this technique with very little training. It is | | | | Although statistics show that a large percentage |
| not a new practice by any means. Lock bumping | | | | of break-ins have no sign of forced entry the |
| was first documented over 50 years ago in | | | | reality is that these probably occurred because a |
| Germany when Dutch and German locksmiths | | | | window or door was left open or the homeowner |
| were experimenting with this technique for | | | | misplaced their keys and could not admit to it for |
| legitimate reasons. | | | | insurance purposes. |
| The dangers have been brought home to the | | | | If you are concerned that your lock could be |
| public by the power of information technology. | | | | susceptible to lock bumping the best thing to do is |
| Lock bumping was picked up by the media in | | | | to ask a professional locksmith for a survey of |
| 2003 and a report was commissioned by the lock | | | | the locks used at your property. They will be able |
| pickers association in 2004. The information was | | | | to tell you if you are at risk from lock bumping |
| picked up by the TV companies and then spread | | | | techniques and will also be able to recommend |
| through the internet. It has now become a much | | | | new locks that cannot be bumped. |
| debated topic. | | | | The main thing is not to worry unduly about this |
| The reality is that you are far more likely to be | | | | supposedly new technique. |