How Can You Tell If Someone Is Casing Your House?

Being robbed at home is not strange since thieves have been applying this technique for many years. Despite being a common fact, when it comes to oneself we ask many questions, in addition to being a violation of our privacy.

We share some commons burglary warning signs, some unusual signs of houses being cased and targeted by burglars

1. Disappearance of garbage

Thieves are attracted to more things than money and jewelry. People often throw away unwanted papers that contain important information: name, date of birth, place of work, passport number, and other information. They are the references that thieves could use for their purposes. Therefore, it is a rule of thumb to always tear all documents with personal information into small pieces before throwing them away. And if you notice someone looking through your rubbish, be on the lookout: it may not be a simple homeless man looking for food.

2. Disappearance of the dog

Dogs guarding an apartment or house are an obstacle to thieves. Therefore, these can try to get rid of the “watchdog” by releasing it to the outside when the owners are not at home. In a couple of days, the thieves will return, without fear of being bitten. Of course, the missing dog doesn’t always indicate the possibility of theft, but you shouldn’t completely rule it out.

3. Empty fuel tank

So that the apartment owners do not return before work, thieves can empty the vehicle’s gas tank to delay the owner on his way home. In the worst case, you may not even have time to get to the gas station and will therefore be coming home much later. So, if you’re sure your fuel tank was full last night and now you have to go back to the gas station, have someone watch your house until you get back.

4. New cleaning man

If you use the services of cleaning companies and you always have the same employee cleaning the house, you should be warned about a possible replacement of the usual worker or the incorporation of a new person. It may be a burglar who wants to inspect the apartment for value. In that case, call the company to find out why they replaced the old employee, to see if they know anything about the new worker.

5. Broken window

Some criminals throw stones at the windows of houses or cars to check if the owners are in the home or if the alarm system is working. If none of the owners or neighbors came out to verify what happened, and the police did not come, then this will help the thieves to calculate the time of the robbery. If you are at home and someone breaks the window, call the police immediately.

6. Problems with light

If you live in a house and have motion-sensing lanterns in your yard or garden, check them immediately in case of malfunction. Light bulbs unscrewed, but not burned out, are a sign that someone wants to enter your home unnoticed.

7. Advertising and Decals

With the help of advertising brochures and simple stickers, thieves label houses and apartments that are easy to rob. Of course, sometimes a steering wheel is just a steering wheel, but just in case it’s best to get rid of them right away. If you’re going on vacation, ask your neighbors to pick up not only these brochures but your mail as well. A pile of papers in the mailbox is a sure sign that the owners are not home, and it is what gives the green light to thieves.

Therefore, it comes in handy if you have necessary surveillance cameras, like ZOSI 1NC-291 around your house, especially around entrances, front door, driveway, garage, and patio.

8. Strange marks

Erase any suspicious marks that appear on the door of your apartment or house, in the garden lights, and generally near the doors or windows. This is another way for criminals to flag houses that are easy to break into or where there are no owners.

9. Calls from unknown numbers

To find out what time the owners are not home, thieves can call the landline and cancel the call. If the children answer the call, the criminals may try to get some information out of them. Explain to children that they can’t tell strangers anything, and don’t stand with their hands crossed at repeated canceled calls – it’s best to go to the police as soon as possible.

10. Forced lock

Lock failures scratch on the door are signs that someone has already tried to break into your house. In this case, do not hesitate, call the police, change the locks for the most reliable ones and think about installing an alarm.

Remember: if you go home and catch the criminals inside, don’t try to scare or stop them yourself. Your life is more valuable than any property. Try to get out of the apartment or house unnoticed and call the police.

11. Other Possible Signs

• Unfamiliar Vehicles: New Cars or Vehicles on the Street or Neighborhood
• Strangers Walk around the Street or Neighborhood
• Door-to-door Scams
• Mark the House with Flyers or Stickers
• Toilet Excuse
• Strangers Request for Help with Different Excuses
• Strange Markings around the House
• Strangers Take Pictures & Walk Away
• A Simple Glance & Gut Feeling
• Welcome Mat Outside The Side Door was Flipped Upside Down
• Golf Ball was Left on The Front Lawn
• Strangers Pretending to Be A Handyman or Someone

Front door security cameras could also record evidence of door-to-door scams.

Read also: Signs That Your House Is Marked And How to Protect Your Home