Advice needed about keeping rogue lockpicker OUT

[Prov118]

Hi everyone,

I have a stalker I've been dealing with for years. I've purchased, and had re-keyed MULTIPLE high-security locks. The latest are 2 separate double-cylinder MUL-T-LOCK Hercular MT5+. My stalker is still getting in. I've deduced that the only way he's doing this is through a friend of his who uses various methods Non-Destructive Testing, thereby seeing what code the key needs, and having some made. He's a locksmith.

Before you tell me to prosecute, save it. I don't need advice on that. What I'm here for is advice on if there's a way to keep someone out who uses these methods. If I set up cameras, they hack them easily and make it look like no one was there.

Any thoughts whatsoever?

[DennisK]

Got a shotgun?

[HerrMannelig]

Hi everyone,

I have a stalker I've been dealing with for years. I've purchased, and had re-keyed MULTIPLE high-security locks. The latest are 2 separate double-cylinder MUL-T-LOCK Hercular MT5+. My stalker is still getting in. I've deduced that the only way he's doing this is through a friend of his who uses various methods Non-Destructive Testing, thereby seeing what code the key needs, and having some made. He's a locksmith.

Before you tell me to prosecute, save it. I don't need advice on that. What I'm here for is advice on if there's a way to keep someone out who uses these methods. If I set up cameras, they hack them easily and make it look like no one was there.

Any thoughts whatsoever?

A locksmith is highly unlikely to engage in criminal activity to aid another. There must be a very high value in doing this. Is anything being stolen? Deducing that a locksmith friend is aiding a stalker is not very logical.

Hacking a camera system to make it look like nothing happened with no evidence of tampering is also a suspicious claim. It sounds like that nothing actually did happen.

My thoughts are this sounds suspicious, like a paranoid delusion, rather than a matter of security. You did say "any thoughts whatsoever" and it looks like you set up a scenario only to confirm your beliefs.

What evidence is there for these break-ins? Report any criminal activity to the police.

If you are asking how to prevent unauthorized key duplication, there are locking systems which are hard to copy (EVVA MCS comes to mind) without having the key information directly (and you cannot tell by looking at the key).

However, there are far easier ways to get into a house which do not involve the lock.

And going to a hobby lock picking forum is probably not one's best way to get help.

[Squelchtone]

This isn't a Jason Bourne movie, nobody is easily hacking your security cameras. What kind of cameras and DVR do you have, is it wireless or hardwired? Please seek proper help, or hire an armed guard for a month, but then again, you'll probably think they paid off the guard and he works for them as well.

You could buy Abloy Protec locks, I guarantee they wont be picking or decoding those. Please also make sure you have deadbolts so they aren't just using the old credit card trick to slip your latch. And call ADT and get a professionally monitored alarm installed.

Good luck and be well,
Squelchtone

[bembel]

What is your Stalker doing? How do you know he was there?

My thoughts are this sounds suspicious, like a paranoid delusion, rather than a matter of security.

On SSDEV there's probably 2 times a year a person with exactly the same story: Multiple high security locks are getting picked and the camera is getting manipulated. I even have a distant relative with the same problem.

[ARF-GEF]

One cannot just replicate MT5+ keys. You need the proper card which came with the keys or the machine just won't do it.
Abloy protec or EVVA MCS are both incredibly secure locks against picking. There is currently no known method to pick the MCS.

Also don't just look at the door consider otehr means of entry.

And maybe talk to a friend or family mamber about all this issue, maybe they can help.

[Squelchtone]

I like the use of rogue in the title.. reminded me of this old quote:

"Rogues knew a good deal about lock-picking long before locksmiths discussed it… If a lock is not so inviolable as it has hitherto been deemed to be, surely it is to the interest of honest persons to know this fact, because the dishonest are… certain to apply the knowledge practically… the spread of the knowledge is necessary to give fair play to those who might suffer by ignorance."

[Prov118]

Shoulda known not to come to a forum and actually get help. Just because you don't have an answer, I must be delusional. Newp. I have PLENTY of evidence. And no, unfortunately this ISN'T a Bourne movie, it's my stalkers fantasy that it is, however. I'm not interested in prosecuting this idiot. He's just a little baby internally that's pissed off he isn't a part of my life.

Anyway, thanks. The Protec sounds like my only option. I appreciate the *actual* advice referring to locks/picking.

[KPick]

How do you know the person you are accusing of entering your household/place is getting inside your house?

If you do have definite evidence, then this is enough to have him/her prosecuted, hence you don't need advice. You need to take action. What you need is to assert yourself and give them a bit of punishment so you can create an aversion to prevent this behavior.

IF this story is indeed true, please don't bother with more locks and have this seemingly obsessive personality taught a lesson.

[keysman]

You are a locksmith's dream! Of course your house is being broken into and nothing is taken. Those who don't believe you or make fun of you are part of the plot. Don't let anyone tell you anything different.

Many lock manufacturers have locks and keys that are restricted to a regional area, you want to find a locksmith out of your region. Contact the lock manufacturer of your choice to get a referral to an out of town established locksmith company that can supply you with locks and keys . Order 2 or 3 sets so you can change your locks frequently.
I cannot make any specific recommendation
as I don't know your location.

Now that you have your locks and keys, contact a local licensed bonded locksmith' check the BBB, Angie's list or other consumer reporting agency for references if necessary.
Now that you have the locks taken care of you will need to secure the perimeter , doors, windows, other points of entry. ( Don't overlook second story, basement or roof possibilitys)
Fix the Alarm and cameras. Change the Alarm code every 10 days or more often if you feel the need. Change the locks at the same time.
Contact the neibors ,ask them to keep a look out for unusual activity and to report it to the authoritys .
Get a dog.... your local humane society has many that need a good home.
Contact your local police department and make a report, make reports as often as you feel violated.
Contact your local District attorney and obtain a restraint order against your antagonist.

Now you have lots to do,there will be no need to reply with a " I can't do X because....." You are the solution to the problem. so start fixing it..

Sleep well

[ElbowMacaroni]

Well said keysman!all good advice there...

That said, potatoes were originally thought to be poisonous as they are related to nightshade, the same thing was thought about tomatoes too at one time. Now, here is the interesting part. Potatoes actually CAN BE poisonous! When you let the sit long enough to grow eyes, under the skin will start to turn green, this green area is actually only chlorophyll; however, it is an indicator that the toxic substances have higher levels. Although, it doesn't normally contain enough of the toxic substances to actually cause serious harm, a 1lb potato that had the green layer could contain enough to make you "sick."

Dig on these links:
From the NIH (National Institute of Health)
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... 002875.htm

From The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/03/healt ... .html?_r=0

From the site wiseGEEK:
http://www.wisegeek.com/are-green-potat ... sonous.htm

Wikipedia on one of the contained toxins:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanine

Wikipedia on the specifics of the toxins in potatoes:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato#Toxicity

All that said, potatoes are AWESOME! I cannot get enough potato, like EVER! YUM YUM NOM NOM NOM

Also, although you said you do not wish to prosecute, it is foolish not to and taking that route is more likely than anything else to have the story end up with you injured or worse. You really NEED to contact law enforcement about this person and have them dealt with. Get a restraining order and if they violate it, contact the police IMMEDIATELY! The law is on your side and is an invaluable tool toward solving your problem. Locks in this case are not the answer, also please heed the advice of all the folks who have said to check all other possible means of access/entry and ensure they are all properly secure.

-Elbow

[l0ckcr4ck3r]

Sounds to me like the Stalker may be a specialist with locks but perhaps maybe not so good with Information Technology. Talk to a geek about the possibility of steaming your IP camera traffic to another location or better still multiple locations. You only need to get some good footage of them breaking in once to get some real power of the law behind you! The Protec is an exceptional lock!! Good luck

[ckc123]

if you want proof that someone is entering your house then it's simple.

setup a video camera that saves it's video, and place the receiver in a locked safe.. anyone who entered would have to also defeat the safe to get access to the video..

You rig the safe so there is evidence of it being opened/moved (E.G security sticker over the door that cannot be removed without breaking).

You then have 100% proof that at least someone was in fact in the house.. go from there..

You can also stream an IP video camera to the "cloud" so it's stored offsite and have evidence offsite when it's actually in progress.

also.. you can true tying up the safe with a "thief knot" (look it up) most people would not even know if it's existence or use

[HerrMannelig]

:lol: Shoulda known not to come to a forum and actually get help. Just because you don't have an answer, I must be delusional.

Well, yes, you should have known better. This is a hobby lock picking forum with a wide variety of people.

Newp. I have PLENTY of evidence. And no, unfortunately this ISN'T a Bourne movie, it's my stalkers fantasy that it is, however. I'm not interested in prosecuting this idiot. He's just a little baby internally that's pissed off he isn't a part of my life.

If you are not in danger and your property is not stolen or damaged, I'd say that if he is going through all this trouble to compromise high security locks, then he is probably a person you can use to your advantage in your life.

Try leaving a hint that the one thing you really want it a new Hummer and you'd be with anybody who had one, and see if he pulls one up the next day or something. That way, he'd be busted for a crime not really related to you, using skills he apparently already has.

Note, if he actually has a Hummer, that is a bad example, so choose something else.

Anyway, thanks. The Protec sounds like my only option. I appreciate the *actual* advice referring to locks/picking.

The EVVA MCS would have been my choice. http://www.lockwiki.com/index.php/EVVA_MCS

I would say they are both "unpickable" though. But if we are going to go overboard, we might as well do it with a lock which has a key you cannot copy even if you see it in detail.

[ckc123]

one concept to consider is the "construction" key. your every day key is the construction key (and you have the normal use key as backup).

if the lock is picked, there is a chance that the internals of the lock will be converted to "disable" the construction key (if the shear line is picked to the height of the regular use key)..

when you get home, your construction key won't work any more (but the normal use key will) giving you a good indication that the lock was picked..

now this may not work 100% of the time depending on what height the pins are set at when it's picked,.. BUT.. its one way to know for sure that the lock was picked if ti does trip..