A look at 'Lock Bumping'

(New York - WABC, May 8, 2007) (WABC) -- We are taking a look at the newest trend in break-ins. It's called "Lock Bumping" and it can disarm the most sophisticated locks in a matter of seconds.

Eyewitness News reporter Patricia Wu tells us how it works and how homeowners can prevent it from happening to them.

Like most people, Elizabeth Bayles is concerned about her safety.

"They [two locks] were there when I moved in and I'm glad they're there ..." Bayles said.

But just how secure are your locks? One locksmith we talked to says most people are living with a false sense of security.

"Anyone is vulnerable ... Probably between 90 to 95 percent of Americans have standard pin tumbler type locks," Guy Gabai, a locksmith said.

Those are the kind that can be broken into in seconds. All it takes is a specially made key and something to tap it with.

It's called lock bumping and even I could do it after just two tries. One woman we met wouldn't believe it until we showed her.

Patricia: "How safe do you think you are?"
Christal Deas: "Pretty much safe ..."
Patricia: "You trust your locks?"
Christal: "Yes."

You can also do it to padlocks. Now we're not showing you the whole technique for obvious reasons, but we do want to key you in to the fact that the tools are readily available on the Internet for would-be thieves.

So you should know how to protect yourself. One way is to buy a high security lock such as Medeco or multi-lock.

High security locks could cost $55 to $125 dollars more, depending on the installation.

And here are some other suggestions: make sure the outside of your home is well-lit, consider an alarm system with signs and a steel clad solid wood door or a two and a half inch dead bolt.

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