Medeco pickproof?

by **samward** » 12 Oct 2003 21:59

Are Medeco locks pickproof?
I bought my first Medeco lock in 1995, because I was told it was pickproof and because I was coming home and finding someone had been in my apartment. It didn't work. I tried a second Medeco lock. He kept coming in. A third Medeco and finally a Medeco Multi-lock. He's still coming in.
I've got a problem here. When I report this to the police, they say that can't be: Medeco locks are pickproof. This is the entrance door to my apartment (and only entrance to the apartment) on the fourth floor of a walkup brownstone. No fire escape. Is there some way he can jimmy the lock without having to pick the cylinder?
Are Medeco's pickproof? I'd appreciate any information if this can be done. It would help my sanity.

by **pokerpicker** » 12 Oct 2003 22:04

NO locks...NONE...are truly "pick-proof"...without seein the exact situation cant really tell you how he is gettin in.

Good Luck

PokerPicker

by **Bitter Man** » 12 Oct 2003 23:00

Chances are hes getting in anohter way than bipassing the lock. Carding the door? Using that shovit tool southord sells? I know medeco locks can be picked, ive seen the special picks, but its still a tedious process during which someone would probably be noticed. Picking a medeco lock isnt usually for breaking in, its more for sport. Look for another piece of the security chain that he could possible use. Is the door frame exposed to the hallway? Thats how he would card the door.

by **ReverseLogic** » 12 Oct 2003 23:00

there is no lock that is truly pick proof, as said above, but the medecos are some of the most secure around. He is probably getting around it some other way. Depending on the bolting mechanism, he could be using the old credit card trick, or something similar. Personally, I would get a video camera, preferably something that could be hidden. If this is a regular occurence, you could get the equipment, and return it after you show the video to the police, and presumably fix your door security problem.

by **Darek84CJ** » 13 Oct 2003 7:44

Likes others had said, no lock is truely pick proof, but medecos are EXTREMELY DIFFICULT! I've read articles of extremely experiances lock pickers spending hours on them, only opneing them after drilling thru them. :cry:

by **Darek84CJ** » 13 Oct 2003 7:44

Also, try installed a deadbolt. Hopefully that'll help deter him.

by **Bitter Man** » 13 Oct 2003 9:10

Yea a deadbolt will prevent the "credit card" technique from working, just make sure you remember to actually lock the deadbolt.

by **samward** » 13 Oct 2003 10:29

Thanks for the replies.
I think this is one for the books. The top lock is a Medeco Multilock that turns two bolts up into lock position inside of the door frame (Segal name) and the bottom a Medeco that just pushes the bolt into the door frame and both are covered by a metal strip that would prevent carding. I've noticed on some occasions that the key slides in very easy as if the key hole was lubricated. A real mystery, or a genius lockpicker.

by **Bitter Man** » 13 Oct 2003 11:01

You mean despite all that the guy is STILL getting in??

by **pokerpicker** » 13 Oct 2003 21:18

as stated above i like the camera idea, for $99 U.S. dollars you can get a color pinhole camera from most electronic stores and hide them in household objects and find the s.o.b. stealin your stuff

PokerPicker

by **Varjeal** » 13 Oct 2003 22:18

There are special tools that have been designed for bypassing/picking Medeco locks.

I would ask you a few questions about your keys though.

1. Can you account for them all?
2. Did the same locksmith/whoever supply all the locks?
3. Does this person know where you got these locks from?

I would also mention that Medeco locks are drill resistant and contain special hardened inserts at the necessary drill points for a lock.

As also suggested before, I would look at the security of the rest of your home to see where weak spots, (security wise) may be. If you are not sure, get your locksmith (if they provided the locks) to do a check on your home for you and provide recommendations as to how you can improve the security of your home by other means than adding locks to your front door.

Hope this helps.

by **samward** » 13 Oct 2003 23:34

The only possible entrance to my apartment is the front door. I only got one key with the Multilock. Has anyone tried the rf (radio) lock or "cyberlock" for residential use?
Appreciate the help.

by **Varjeal** » 14 Oct 2003 10:23

Samward: Do you have windows that open in your apartment? Is it on the ground floor? You may want to secure the windows in your apartment through the use of properly installed window bars as these are often prime access points for those who don't belong.

by **Spamolishes** » 15 Oct 2003 16:22

the guy must have a key. it could be the master key. it may be the person who lived there before you. impressioning a medeco lock is easier than picking it. a tool called a decoder can measure the width of each pin. this will tell you how much it has to be rotated. this information can be put into a computer and sent to a key cutter and have the key made

by **Varjeal** » 15 Oct 2003 18:26

IF this person has a key and you have kept track of all known keys and are the sole occupant of the apartment, whoever sold and keyed those locks for you can be in serious trouble for copying or originating keys for that lock in any manner without your authorization.