8 Secrets from a Professional Thief
Don’t underestimate daylight
Most burglaries occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.. Scraps says with kids at school and more dual working parents, that daytime is the preferred time for a thief to break-in. Plus less people suspect home robberies during the day.
Let your dog bark
Scraps says that he’s more scared of the bark than he is the bite. That’s right, those little yappy dogs are a great deterrent for theft. They don’t stop barking and create a lot of noise. Because of this he avoids homes with barking dogs.
Put away the toys
Toys left in the yard create a target for your house. Scraps tells us this is a tell-tale sign that a woman lives in the house. And women equal jewelry.
Invest in a home security system
Homes without a security system are three-times more likely to be broken into. Scraps tells us that he never breaks into homes with a security system. “There are too many other homes without them that make easy targets so why would I take the extra risk” he tells us. Signs in the yards, stickers in the window, and security keypads in entryways are a sure way to send that thief packing.
Trim those bushes
Any sort of protection, like trees or bushes, covering your windows allows a burglar to break them without being detected. Scraps tells us he loves the extra coverage for hiding.
Don’t announce when you’re not home
Social media is great but announcing when you’re on vacation or at work is an easy win for thieves. And it’s not just social media, professional burglars have informants everywhere. So they next time you think about telling your gardner, carpet cleaner, or anyone else you don’t know about your vacation plans, think again.
Fake that someone is home
Make your house appear like someone is home. Leave lights on or better yet, use timers for lights, TVs, radios and anything else that would create noise and therefore, the appearance that someone is home.
Hide valuables in your kitchen
Scraps tells us this is the last place he’d look for valuables. “I never went into a kitchen” he tells us. That’s because kitchens are in the middle of the house and there’s too much going on. Another great place is kids’ rooms. However, with the rate kids are collecting tablets and other electronics this is a place thieves are starting to look more.