“Sneaky” Burglar Tactics You Might Not Be Aware Of

05/15/2018

Statistics show that a residence without a security system is up to 300 percent more likely to experience a break-in or home invasion. Therefore, it’s not surprising to learn that, according to a report released by Dallas-based research firm Parks Associates, approximately 30 percent of U.S. homes will have monitored security services by 2020.

How Burglars Are Adapting in Modern Times

Crooks are fully aware of the trend toward increased home security — but that doesn’t mean they’re going to give up anytime soon. Criminals have become more enterprising than ever when finding ways to practice their craft. Here are a few of their more creative tactics:

• Signs of cat activity: While dogs can often deter criminals, cats can have the opposite effect. If a burglar sees a cat hanging around outside, he’ll likely think there could be an open window or cat door to allow the feline to come and go — which also makes it easier for the crook to get inside. Homeowners with security systems sometimes turn them off to prevent the cat from tripping the alarm. And once he’s inside, the burglar has few worries about being attacked by a guard cat!
• Power outages: Opportunistic burglars wait for severe storms that cause power outages when targeting a neighborhood. They know that this will disable a wired or landline-connected security service. Choosing to install a wireless system can eliminate this threat.
• Using “advance scouts:” Some burglars will pay accomplices such as maids, babysitters, nannies and gardeners to provide them with inside information about the home and its occupants. These individuals can also make the burglar’s job easier by casually leaving a door or window unlocked or disarming the security system at the right time.
• Targeting rural areas: Folks who live in the country sometimes feel more secure, thinking that burglaries are more likely to occur in heavily populated areas. Consequently, these rural homeowners are less likely to install a security system. Crooks are aware of this as well. They also understand that even if these homes have an alarm system, it may take law enforcement longer to respond because they might be farther away from the scene.
• Houses for sale: Another relatively new home burglary trend is thieves posing as a married couple and making an appointment with a real estate agent for a private showing of a house for sale. This gives them the opportunity to determine if the home has an alarm system and whether they can disable it easily. Additionally, one person can keep the agent occupied while the other surveys the rest of the home to look for vulnerable areas. Some may even manage to steal smaller items during their tour.

Contact Titan Alarm to Learn More

With more than a decade of proving home security solutions in Phoenix and Tucson, AZ, we here at Titan Alarm are familiar with the ways of the modern burglar. We can also recommend the best methods for thwarting their tactics. Contact us to schedule a no-obligation in-home security consultation today.

Learn More About Preventing Home Burglary

• Tips for Protecting Your Home from Theft
• Top 15 Ways Burglars Target Your Home
• Crash and Smash Protection

Updated by Titan Alarm on October 31, 2018.