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Protecting Your Home
From Lock Bumping Break-Ins

Locksmiths in Los Angeles are seeing a record number of lock bumping burglaries.

Experts report that 90% of American homes are vulnerable to break-ins through lock bumping. What makes this disturbing statistic even more troubling is that YouTube has more than 1,600 videos which demonstrate the technique in great detail. With step-by-step videos showing criminals how to open most any home lock in a matter of seconds, it's no wonder lock bumping is fast becoming a major problem throughout Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside and Orange Counties. Making matters worse is the fact that a bump burglary leaves no marks or scratches. Since there is no sign of forced entry, insurance companies are reluctant to cover the victim's losses.

First discovered by Danish locksmiths in the 1970s, lock bumping is the reason the majority of locks in use today are obselete. Renowned security expert Marc Weber Tobias describes the process in his online column The Lockdown. "A 'bump' key works by tricking the tumblers in a pin lock to fall into the correct place for just an instant, but long enough for someone to turn the key and unlock the door. A basic key, a sturdy file, a little pressure, and a gentle 'bump' against the key is enough to knock the pin tumblers into place and pop a lock open.

"Any pin tumbler lock that utilizes two or more moving pins within each chamber is at risk. Door locks, post office locks, file cabinet locks, access-control override locks, and padlocks. All of them can be bumped if you have the key that will fit the keyway and has been properly cut . . . Are there exceptions? Yes. Can every conventional lock be bumped open? No, but statistically, a very high percentage can."

How can you protect yourself from lock bumping? If your home's locks are pre-2005 vintage, you should have a professional locksmith replace them with one of the more secure "bump resistant" models manufactured by Medeco, Mul-T-Lock and Schlage Primus. For greater protection, consider installing electronic locks, magnetic locks, or locks using rotating disks. These advance models, all carried by Fidelity Locksmith, are not vulnerable to bump attacks.

Check out Fidelity's blog for more tips on keeping your home safe. Better yet, contact Fidelity Locksmiths today for a FREE estimate on a complete home security upgrade.