Distraction burglary is a strategy used by burglars to target the elderly and other vulnerable individuals in Auckland, New Zealand. To avoid having your parents or grandparents the next victim of a distraction burglary, you have to know how they happen and what measures you should take to prevent them.

Read on to find out how these burglaries occur and note the following tips for specific distraction burglary home security.

In a distraction burglary, the burglar draws out an unsuspecting resident based on a convincing pretext. They make use of their collection of unimaginative excuses from “I’m here to check the pipes/water/electrical wiring, etc.” to “Can I use the toilet?”, “My car broke down” or “Have you seen my cat?”.

While the resident is occupied, the burglar’s accomplice makes his way into the resident’s home and snatches up whatever he can within easy reach like money, jewelry, cellphones and wallets. He may also pick up IDs and any valuable looking documents he can use for the purposes of identify theft.

Why the elderly are targeted

Burglars see the elderly as easy targets for the following reasons:

• They often live alone, with their grown children living away from home.

• They are likely to forget to arm their house alarm systems and slip on basic security measures while out of the house.

• They may suffer from slower reflexes or impaired cognition and judgment.

• They are likely to require assistance in many things like maintaining their property, or carrying heavy items

• They are generally accommodating and cooperative individuals. This means they’re more likely to believe a person who asks for help, not suspecting that it might be a thief setting up a distraction burglary.

Distraction burglars at work

Burglars pretend to be authority figures, a person asking for help, or service-oriented person, anyone you could trust to have a reason to being on your property so they can get close to you and gain access to your home.

They can pose as a:

• Police officer
• Fireman
• Handyman
• Courier driver
• Door-to-door salesperson
• Surveyor
• Person asking for directions
• Person asking about a missing child or pet

In another variation, a distraction burglar will inform you that you have won a prize or gift from a well known brand or company.

The visitor would tell you that your name was randomly selected and that you need to go to a certain place to claim your prize, or fill out a prize acceptance form with personal information.

Distraction burglary home security

• Keep your doors locked at all times. There is no excuse to leave entrances in your home unsecured. Always double check all entry points especially the front and rear doors. The same goes for windows wide enough to be used by a burglar as an entry point.

• Identify your visitor, before responding to someone at the door, check the person out first by looking through a window or your doors peep hole. Even if you recognize the person but are unsure of his purpose for calling, ask that person first before opening your door.

• Ask the visitor for valid identification. If the caller claims to be on official business, check his identification. Usually, representatives from legitimate companies like electric, gas, or water companies will call your home phone first and inform you if there is a real situation before sending someone in person.

• Before asking for a visitors ID, make sure the safety chain on your door is secure before opening the door. Unfortunately, IDs can be easily faked so if you are still unsure even after checking a visitors ID, close your door first, make sure it’s locked, then call his office to confirm legitimacy. If after all the above measures, you’re still unsure of a visitors legitimacy, never let him into your home.

• Do not be deceived by appearances. Burglars often blend in with the crowd by looking harmless and ordinary. This is how they can easily trick unsuspecting people. Do not let your guard down even if the caller looks genuine, helpless, or has a child in tow.  These are often tactics distraction burglars use to gain trust and get you to drop your guard.

• Do not leave valuables in plain sight, especially near doors and windows. Keep your money, expensive jewelry, and important documents in a safe or a secret hiding place. Use dresser top jewelry boxes for inexpensive jewelry only.

• If you believe the visitor has a legitimate reason for getting you out of the house. Take your keys with you, set your home alarm system, and lock up the house before you go. As an added countermeasure, call a trusted neighbor, family member, or friend to let them know where you are going before leaving.

• If you notice a suspicious person or activity, immediately report it to the NZ Police to prevent others from being victimized. Awareness and vigilance are important qualities you should always practice. Pass along helpful information and security tips to your neighbors and loved ones so they can also be aware.

Distraction burglary can be prevented as long as there is always awareness and vigilance on your part.

It’s also important to spread awareness to prevent others, especially your loved ones from becoming easy targets of distraction burglary.

The post How To Prevent a Distraction Burglary appeared first on Security Search - Home and Commercial Security.

Burglars can be very crafty once they set their sights on robbing your home, nothing can stop them.

They’ll use every trick up their sleeve and every kind of tool at their disposal to enter your home and snatch your valuables.

Even with the proliferation of professionally installed home security alarms, there are still disturbing incidences of home break-ins in.

How can burglars outsmart even state-of-the-art home alarm systems? What goes on in their minds before a burglary? What tools do they use to enter your home? Learn how a break-in happens.

Common Household Items In A Burglar’s Toolkit

You’d be surprised at some of the tools burglars use. Most of them are common, handyman items found in many homes including yours.

A crowbar or slim jim is a burglar’s go-to tool for prying doors or windows open. It’s simple, easy to use, easy to carry around, and effective.

Hammers, shovels, spades, or a brick wrapped in a thick jacket can also be used to smash windows.

A screwdriver can unfasten door screws and hinges, while a wire cutter can be used to cut the phone line of an entry level home security alarm, rendering it useless.

These tools can be used in many other ways too, often depending on a burglar’s ingenuity.
There are also other tools burglars use that are rarely known like a center hole punch (watch how it works) .

A center hole punch is also considered a hand tool, it’s used to put a dent in a work-piece without using a hammer.

When you press it against a surface, energy is stored in a spring, which releases a “punch”.

They are often used by emergency services to break windows of flipped vehicles to rescue people. Burglars use them against windows to break-in with minimal noise.

Common and Not So Common Theft Techniques

Lock-picking is a ‘not so common’ burglar technique even though we’ve seen it portrayed countless times in movies and TV shows.

There are still professional burglars who make use of this tried and tested technique, particularly on old style locks.

Another good reason to get a locksmith in to replace all your old locks with modern deadlocks which are extremely difficult to pick

A burglar will always go for the rear entry of a house, which he can open forcefully with his tools or by simply kicking the door down.

To a burglar, anything is possible. Other techniques like the following require inventiveness and skill on his part:

• Dismantling cheap alarm systems

• Forcing windows and doors open

• Taking advantage of security lights to see his way in

• Wearing hoods and balaclavas to avoid human and CCTV camera identification

• Posing as a meter reader or scrap metal buyer to gain more knowledge about the ins and outs of your home

Weak Spots Burglars Watch For

Before making any attempt, burglars look out for your weak spots that can compromise the security of your home.

They need to make sure that they can pull off entering and exiting your house successfully, with little to no obstacles in their way.

These weak spots often seem like small details to you, but for a burglar, these are huge advantages that increase his chances of a successful break-in.
Inactivated burglar alarms – Some homeowners forget to set their home security alarms before they go out, or even if they do have one, they rarely arm it.

Even if they do sound – homeowners and neighbors often assume it’s a false alarm. This why it pays to have your alarm monitored

Open doors and windows – Sometimes we forget to close a window or two. But that one time we let our guard down could become a golden opportunity for a burglar. An unsecured door or window is an instant invitation for a burglar to go in and loot.

Evidences of non-occupancy – Burglars always look for indicators that you’re out-of-town and the house doesn’t have a living occupant.

These indicators include newspapers and mail that pile up, curtains that always remain closed, or security lights that are never turned off. Once they make sure that no one’s at home, there’s nothing to stop them from breaking-in.

No barking dogs – A house with a noisy dog puts a burglar at a disadvantage. They avoid breaking into these houses and just move on. If you don’t have a dog at home, or your dog is always tied up, your house is fair game to a burglar.

No vehicles in the driveway – No car parked out in the driveway is another indication that the house occupants are away. Many smart thieves have a simple rule to avoid breaking into homes when there are cars present

No nosy neighbors – Neighbors who are vigilant, watch out for each and part of a neighborhood support area puts off a burglar. He’ll more likely scour other neighborhoods with less vigilant or less observant neighbors.

Summary

Even with the advent of more advanced home security systems, some burglars still manage to get away with their crime.

It’s a mistake to assume that your home and neighborhood is always secure or you’ve got everything covered.

Burglars will use every means and tool they can to get what they want from your home.

Armed with common hand tools and tried and tested techniques, they can easily break into your home even with your high-tech alarm system.

What’s important is to always be vigilant in maintaining security measures and remember to set that alarm.

The post Burglar Confessions Tricks And Tools appeared first on Security Search - Home and Commercial Security.

Why should I install a burglar alarm?

The key reason for installing a home security system it to greatly reduce the chances of home invasion , theft and damage to property.

Still, break-ins are a possibility and in the event, burglars are only likely to perform a smash and grab robbery rather than a through cleaning out of the whole residence, this is due to the high risk of someone quickly arriving on the scene.

Can I install the burglar alarm myself?

Electronic stores, Trademe and most alarm install companies sell DIY alarm packages. The majority of them are wireless or hybrid systems what require little or no wiring work.

As to effectiveness, if you are in the market for a entry level burglar alarm without a monitoring service and are somewhat electrically minded then a $300-500 self install alarm kit maybe a worthwhile solution.

Why should I get a monitored alarm?

Having a monitored alarm guarantees someone will take action and promptly investigate any potential threats at your home from an alarm activation

Burglars know that when they break into a home with a monitored alarm that they have at a maximum of 15 minutes before a guard arrives.

Many insurance companies offer a reduction in home and contents insurance premiums when a monitored alarm is installed

How long do backup ALARM batteries last for?

Standard back up batteries generally last a minimum of 10 hours. Extra longer lasting backup batteries are on the market if you feel you need a battery that lasts a great deal longer.

What is the cost of having an alarm monitored?

Alarm monitoring services usually charge around $1 a day or $30 a month for monitoring

What is the callout fee cost of a monitoring company?

Most alarm monitoring companies charge between $60 – $90 per callout

What will a home security system cost?

An entry level home burglar alarm system including 2 sensors, control panel, key pad, back up battery, internal and external siren will cost a minimum of $500 including installation by a professional alarm company.

Complex home security systems with many additional features and upgrades can cost thousands of dollars.

WILL MY PETS SET OFF THE ALARM?

Pet ignore sensors which can differentiate between animals and humans are widely available, talk your options over with your alarm installer.

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Primary security

• Avoid leaving expensive items in areas where they can be plainly see from the street e.g. laptops on the window stilt in a street facing room.

• Ensure you residence has good exterior lighting, plenty of sensor activated lights

• Review the locks on your homes windows and doors, old window latches make it easy for thieves, deadbolts are the most effective for keeping them out.

• Avoid hiding spare keys outside on your property, thieves have a habit of finding them

• Ensure ladders and tools which will make it easier for opportunistic thieves to break into your house are locked away and not easily accessible

• Lock windows and doors at night when you go to sleep, if you have a 2 story house and a burglar alarm, set a partial arm for the 1^st story.

Secondary security

• Get a burglar alarm installed by a professional alarm company!

• Make sure your alarm installer has taught you how to check your alarm system is operating properly. Then set and adhere testing schedule every 6 months so you know your system will work when you need it to

• Consider getting a monitored alarm system installed

• Consider getting a guard dog (bigger scarier ones work best), then place a beware of the dog sign on the front gate. Thieves hate guard dogs as they often bite and bark to draw unwanted attention.

External security

• Join your neighborhood support group or learn how to start your own group if your neighbourhood is not yet involved .

• Place neighborhood support stickers prominently on windows and signs on street lamp posts.

• Consider renting an off site high security safety deposit box for storing high value and irreplaceable items

Holiday security

If you are going to be away from home for a week or more on holiday, your residence is at extra risk.

• Consider getting someone you trust to house sit

• Have someone regularly check your house and clear your mail box

• If you have a monitored alarm, let the monitoring company know you are going away so they can put your home on high alert

Summary

The more of these security tips you apply the less appealing your home will be to burglars, it works a bit like this joke..

Two campers were hiking in the forest when all of a sudden a bear jumps out of a bush and starts chasing them. Both campers start running for their lives, when one of them stops and starts to put on his running shoes. 

His partner says, what are you doing? You can’t outrun a bear

His friend replies, I don’t have to outrun the bear, I only have to outrun you!

Moral of the joke is – you want to make your home less appealing than the guy next door, if possible make your home the least appealing on your street.

The NZ police have drawn up a sort of self security assessment page which is well worth a look

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During the daytime, many businesses have a large areas of space open to the public and have people coming and going, it is easy for thieves to plan sneaky robberies.

Daytime thieves will usually target handbags, wallets and laptops which are easy to take and conceal.

At night time, businesses rely on entrance locks and security systems to prevent and deter burglars from targeting their site.

Business robberies are usually more planned and organised than home burglaries, thieves target specific businesses, have seen the site layout in the daytime and know exactly what they are looking for usually stock/inventory or specialised equipment.

Primary security

• Get a commercial grade security system installed by a professional alarm company

• Make sure your installer has shown at least 2 people in your business how to check your alarm system is operating properly. Then put a testing schedule every 6 months so you know your system is in good working order

• Get your security system monitored by a professional monitored alarm company

• Install a CCTV surveillance system for the exterior and interior, particularly at main entrances/exits and areas of key importance e.g. stock rooms, rooms containing safes

• Consider installing a keypad or biometric access control system, limit levels of access to employees as much as is practical

Individual security

• Employees should lock their computer screen when they are away from their desk. This prevents unauthorised use and data theft.

• Employees should lock their offices if leaving the building

• Employees should avoid leaving hand bags under the tables, wallets/key in unlocked drawers, especially important in open plan offices

Site security

• Ensure all visitors are signed in at reception, this ensures a record of people coming in and out of the office

• Laptops are a one of the most common targets for thieves in a commercial setting, cable / plate locks should be installed at desks. In addition to the replacement laptop cost, data theft can be an even much greater concern

• Petty cash should be kept in a locked cash box, inside a locked draw. Limit key holders of boxes and draws to the minimum that is practical

• Ensure all employees in the relevant areas are aware if a tradesman will be working in their area on a given day. This improves chances employees will pay attention if unscheduled tradesmen move about their sites.

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Retailers and cash businesses are high risk categories for targeted theft. Businesses in the liquor, pharmacy and nightclub/bar trades are extremely high risk categories.

These recommendations have been provided by professionals who have extensive experience in retail and cash business security.

Primary security systems

• Get a burglar alarm installed by a professional alarm company!

• Make sure your installer has shown you how to check your alarm system is operating properly. Then set a testing schedule every 6 months so you know your system is in good working order

• Have your security system monitored by a professional monitored alarm company

• Install a CCTV surveillance system for the exterior and interior, particularly at entrances and the till/counter area

Secondary security systems

• Consider installing a safe with a drop-chute, businesses which handle large amounts of cash should be depositing sums throughout the day to ensure complete days takings are not held in tills

• Consider installing a panic button at the till area

• Convex mirrors allow you to see down aisles and in corners where shoplifters are most likely to steal, they are also a good deterrent

• Display burglar alarm and monitored alarm stickers/signs prominently on gates, entrances and windows as deterrents

Security procedures

• If you sell high risk items such as cigarettes, insure minimal stock is kept on display and on premises. If possible store excess stock in a locked safe, and move all stock to the safe on close of business

• Particularly if your business is in an extremely high risk sector such as liquor retail ensure you have at least two staff members on site and visible throughout trading.

• Always ensure you have at least two people on site for closing

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