Our first thought whenever we locked ourselves out of our car or home, is to get a family member or friend to help us out of our situation if we had a spare set of keys. Your next call will probably be to call a locksmith. Before you make that call please consider this According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency a lot of locksmith advertising in your local telephone book or Internet, may not be local at all. They may not even have professional training and what is even more; some of them may use intimidating tactics to overcharge you.

What is the best way to pick a reputable locksmith?

Consider researching Locksmiths before you need one, the same way you would a plumber, electrician, or other professional. That works well if you are looking to have some security work done at your home, like installing deadbolts on the exterior doors of your house, or a safe in your bedroom.  However, if you are dealing with an emergency, like being locked out of your car, you really do not have much time for thorough research.

Regardless of whether you are locked out of your car or home, you need new locks installed, or you require other security work, the FTC offers these tips to help you hire a legitimate, local locksmith.

                                                            In emergencies:

If you are locked-out of your car and have a roadside assistance service, call them first.  These services sometimes are included with the purchase of a car, or as an add-on through your insurance company.  You can buy this service separately. Roadside assistance plans often have a list of pre-approved companies to perform services like unlocking cars, jump-starting batteries, changing flat tires, delivering gasoline and towing. 

Call family or friends for recommendations.  If you find a Locksmith on one of the internet search engines, or through directory assistance, and a business address is given, confirm that the address belongs to that Locksmith. Some disreputable companies list street addresses to give the impression that they are local. However, the addresses may belong to other businesses or vacant lots, if they exist at all. You can verify addresses through websites that allow you to match phone numbers with street addresses. Some legitimate Locksmith companies may not include a street address in their listing because either they operate a “Mobile” business or they operate their business out of their home and may be reluctant to list that address. If you call a Locksmith who does not list an address, ask why. If the answer is that it is a “Mobile” business, you will understand they have no storefront.  Write down the names of several businesses, their phone numbers, and addresses for future reference, in case you do not want to go with the first Locksmith you call. If a company answers the phone with a generic phrase like “Locksmith services can I help you? rather than a company-specific name, be wary. Ask for the legal name of the business. If the person refuses, call another locksmith.

Get an estimate for all work and replacement parts from the Locksmith before work begins. In cases of “lock-outs” (being locked out of your car or home), most legitimate locksmiths will give you an estimate on the phone for the total cost of the work.

Ask about additional fees before you agree to have the Locksmith perform the work. Companies may charge extra for responding to a call in the middle of the night. Ask if there is an additional charge for anything else, or a minimum fee for a service call. If the price the Locksmith provides when he arrives does not jibe with the estimate you got on the telephone, do not allow the work to be done. Never sign a blank form authorizing work.

Find out if the Locksmith is insured. If your property is damaged during a repair, or if faulty work leads to loss or damage, it is important for the Locksmith to have insurance to cover your losses. When the Locksmith arrives, ask for identification, including a business card and, where applicable, a Locksmith license.  Fourteen states require locksmiths to be licensed:  Alabama, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Washington D.C.   In addition to a business card, check to see if the invoice includes the company’s name, and whether the locksmith’s vehicle has a name that matches the business card, invoice, and/or bill.

Expect the Locksmith to ask you for identification, as well. A legitimate Locksmith should confirm your identity and make sure you are the property owner before doing any work. Some Locksmiths will work out of a car for quick or emergency jobs, but most will arrive in a service vehicle that is clearly marked with their company’s name.

In the case of a lock-out, be cautious if you are told up front that the lock has to be drilled and replaced. An experienced legitimate Locksmith has invested in the tools and education to provide quality service, and can unlock almost any door.

After the work is completed, get an itemized invoice that covers parts, labor, mileage, and the price of the service call.  In situations where you have more time, check out Locksmiths with your state Attorney General, local consumer protection agency, and the Better Business Bureau to make sure there are no unresolved complaints on file. This is true whether you need a Locksmith for a one-time job, or you want to hire someone to work for you on a continuing basis. You must be able to trust your Locksmith. You do not want to give access to the locks for your home, car, or place of business to just anyone.

                                    In Case there’s a Next Time

Once you have found a reputable locksmith, keep the company’s name and contact information in your wallet and address book at home or at work. You also may want to program this information into your home and cell phones. This can save you time and trouble the next time you need these services.

                                          Resolving Problems

If you have a problem with a locksmith, try to resolve the dispute with the company first. Make sure you act quickly. Some companies may not accept responsibility if you fail to complain within a certain time. If you cannot get satisfaction, consider contacting your local consumer protection agency for information and assistance.

You also can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and your state Attorney General.

A relatively new security problem is the threat of "bumping," in which someone with a 'bump key' can open most locks that are commonly used in homes... According to the National Crime Prevention Council, if your home is protected with a standard lock, it may not do you much good.  CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF LOCK BUMPING ON CHANNEL 5 NEWS.

Thieves have been increasingly employing a popular technique called BUMPING, a lock picking technique for opening a pin tumbler lock using a specially crafted bump key. Lock bumping or the "999 Method" has long been familiar to certified locksmiths and high security companies around the world.  Mainly used as a method for professional locksmiths to undo a mis-assembled cylinder on their workbench, rather than to gain entry, this technique has recently surfaced in the mainstream media as a means for intruders to illegally gain access to homes, businesses, and institutions and has raised many concerns among the general public.

Recently, in the Philadelphia area, a serial burglar, Angel Calo-Rivera, used a bump key, which can make it easy and fast to break into homes without needing too much special equipment or leaving any trace of forced entry, to break into nearly a dozen apartments in Burlington County, New Jersey. Calo-Rivera stole a gun, jewelry, clothes and electronics, according to police. Bump keys work almost as well as actually having a key, and about 90% of American household locks are vulnerable to bumping. Most home doors use standard cylinder locks...which are vulnerable to lock bumping.

FBI crime statistics show that approximately two-thirds of all burglaries have no signs of forced entry. It's impossible to know what percentage are due to bump keys because it's possible that the burglar picked the lock or simply stumbled across an unlocked door. But some crime experts believe as many as half of all cases of unforced entry are likely due to bump keys.

Clearly, bump keys are one of the biggest dangers posed to homeowners for a number of reasons. First, the bump keys themselves are neither expensive nor difficult to find for someone who wants to break into a building, according to crime experts. On websites such as bumpkeys.com, bump keys can be inexpensively purchased by anyone. Second, bump keys work on virtually any lock brand. Third, and perhaps most significantly, crime experts familiar with bump keys say they can be used to open a locked door in less than a minute. This makes bump keys a valuable commodity for burglars, who always seek the quickest method to gain entry into a home that attracts as little attention as possible. Fourth, because usually there are no signs of a break-in when bumping is done, insurance companies may not cover loss because "you probably left your door open." Installing high-quality locks is a good defense against home burglaries, according to the National Crime Prevention Council.

The truth is that although lock bumping has always posed a potential threat to consumers, the recent barrage of internet articles and demonstrations has introduced this technique to an entirely new population of existing and would-be criminals. The National Crime Prevention Council wants homeowners to be aware of the prevalence of bumping, especially because there are many "how-to" videos online demonstrating how easy it is to use a bump key.

                                       PREVENTING HOME BURGLARY

                             Preventative measures worth considering:

The addition of security cameras goes a long way toward preventing criminal activity and assisting in the investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses.  Video doorbell cameras and strategically placed external cameras often dissuade would-be criminals.

Exterior lighting is perhaps the easiest and most inexpensive way to discourage criminals.  Well-lit areas increase visibility through windows, improve video surveillance quality and make your home a less desirable target.

Landscaping is a wonderful way to add “curb-appeal” to your home.  Unfortunately, overgrown shrubs and trees that block windows and doorways or cast large shadows allow criminals to move about your property without being seen.  Additionally, unmowed lawns often give the impression that the homeowner is away.

Upgrading door and window locks, as well as securing sliding glass doors, will prevent easy access to your home. Most sliding glass doors have poor quality locks.  They are susceptible to pry bars, hammers, and screwdrivers and can usually be opened rather easily.  Secure these doors using security bars, pins or upgraded locks.

Whenever you leave your home…even if only to quickly visit a neighbor…LOCK YOUR DOORS AND TAKE A KEY. 

Don’t leave valuables near windows where they can easily be seen and taken.

Floridians like to leave their garage doors open.  Please reconsider this practice.

Hiding a spare key under a doormat or in a nearby planter makes for easy access to your home.

Leaving ladders around your home assist burglars intent on entering second-story windows…yours or nearby homes.  Secure ladders in a closed garage when not in use.

Too many Lee County residents leave their vehicles unlocked overnight.  Many contain garage door openers.  Lock your vehicles whenever you exit and take any and all valuables inside with you.

Break down cardboard boxes from expensive purchases such as large-screen televisions, computers, etc.  When left curbside, they serve to advertise your new purchase.

Report suspicious activity to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office or to your local law enforcement agency.

                          GARAGE DOOR SECURITY

In addition to allowing access to any and all property left inside of the garage, this practice now turns your interior garage door into an exterior door. That being said, this internal garage door should now meet exterior standards in regard to thickness, locking mechanism, and framing.

These doors should be of solid-core construction and at least 1 ¾ inches in thickness.

Padlocks should be made from hardened steel with at least a 9/32 inch shackle (stainless steel shackles offer the ultimate in padlock security), a double locking mechanism - heel and toe, a five-pin tumbler, and a key retaining feature. This feature prevents the key from being removed until the padlock is locked.

Quality deadbolt locks are always a great idea. The strongest deadbolt locks resist drilling, lock-picking, and kick-ins.

These interior garage doors should open INTO the home…meaning that door hinges are located inside the house. Doors that open outward, into the garage, should be secured with security studs.

The best preventative measures begin with a closed garage door and locked vehicles!

                             Unlocked Car + Thief = Crime of Opportunity

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno is asking for your help in putting a halt to a recent rash of car burglaries. You can assist us by using common-sense steps to make your vehicle less appealing to thieves. Often, these crimes occur because owners fail to practice the preventative safety tips listed below:

Lock your vehicle. The average burglar simply checks to see if a car is unlocked, spends less than a minute inside the vehicle, checking the glove box, door panels, and center console for valuables.

Take your valuables with you. This includes your wallet, purse, computer, weapons, and other items.

Parkin well-lighted areas. Two things burglars don’t like – lights and witnesses.

Do not leave personal identifying papers in the car. This includes your license, social security card, motor vehicle registration, car title, credit card, and bank statements. If stolen, these items can lead to identity theft.

Consider theft prevention devices. There are a number of audible vehicle alarms that will scare off any burglar looking to grab your belongings.

Be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious activity. See it. Say it. Make the call.

To learn more about an auto burglary or to arrange for a free auto burglary prevention seminar, contact the Community Response Unit at 239-477-1CRU.

           PROTECTING YOUR PURSE/WALLET WHILE AT THE MARKET

Shopping carts…or buggies, as they are often referred to below the Mason-Dixon Line…are an absolute necessity when doing one’s weekly shopping at the market.  Imagine needing to carry dozens of items from aisle to aisle as we attempt to gather our food purchases.

The child-safety seat atop the cart, when not occupied by a child, is a wonderful place to transport fragile and delicate items such as bread and eggs.  It is also a convenient place to carry one’s purse/handbag.

Food shopping is easier and faster when hands are free and one can freely remove multiple items from store shelves.  Purses, handbags, and backpacks can be burdensome and do fit so nicely in the child safety seat of one’s shopping cart.  Oftentimes, we see these purses and handbags left open…unzipped…unsecured…exposing the owner’s wallet, keys, cell phone, and much more.

The combination of easy access and distracted shoppers creates the perfect storm for thieves.

You walk over to one of the shelves to reach up for canned goods…you compare labels searching for the healthiest product…you ask a store clerk where you can find green beans…during which time the crime has been committed.  Your purse, wallet, and/or cell phone has been taken.

Some thoughts…

Ideally, bags/purses should be worn using the shoulder or cross-body straps, however, we appreciate the convenience of hands-free shopping and recognize that the shopping cart will always be a convenient place to store one’s purse.

Whether or not you are carrying your bag or storing it in a shopping cart, please consider keeping it closed, zipped, buttoned, etc.  Open purses are a neon invitation for thieves.

When placing your closed bag inside of the child safety seat of your shopping cart, please consider using the seat belt to secure your purse.  Intertwine the seat belt and your bag’s handles to ensure that easy removal is not possible.  Consider purchasing a carabiner and using it to secure your bag to the bars of the cart.

Avoid walking away from your cart…even for a moment.  Keep your cart in front of you at all times.  Be additionally cautious when unloading your cart as you approach the cashier.

Remember, thieves often work in pairs and in groups.  While one distracts you or initiates conversation, the other(s) may be rummaging through or stealing your purse.

Reduce opportunity…reduce victimization!