Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
30 Ex-Burglars Reveal Where You Should Never Hide Your Stuff And Share Other Helpful Tips
Interview With Author
Life isn’t as scary as it might seem on the TV, but that doesn’t mean that you can completely throw the question of security out of your living room window. You need to be aware that there are some baddies out there who are simply waiting for their chance to ransack someone’s home and steal your hard-earned belongings. They might not reach Gotham villain levels of dastardly evilness, but you’re not a superhero either. You need to be prepared, you need to be realistic.
Ironically enough, it’s sometimes villains that can protect you from other villains, as redditor AsleepFondant proved. They asked former burglars to offer some advice about where people really shouldn’t be hiding their valuables, and, wow, did they deliver. It’s making us reconsider a lot of things that we took for granted. For instance, safes might not be as safe as you think while closets shouldn’t be where you store your jewelry.
Scroll down and let us know if any of these tips changed your perspective on home security. Oh, and a small reminder that you should NEVER reveal to anyone where you actually hide your valuables. Even if it’s anonymously on the internet. Stay safe. Stay smart.
I reached out to redditor AsleepFondant to have a talk about their viral thread on r/AskReddit. They revealed to Bored Panda what the inspiration for the question was. "For starters, the area I live in is not the safest and I have experience of having my house broken into when I was a little kid, so you could say it's something that is on my mind," they said. Scroll down for our exclusive interview with AsleepFondant, dear Readers.
By the way, if you’re curious about some other tips and tricks ex-burglars shared, you really ought to check out this recent article about home security on Bored Panda.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Unlocking Simple Truths
This doesn't exactly answer the question asked, but it is a tip on potentially protecting your valuables. Bear with me because it's a bit strange: Glue a spare key (not one that opens something important) under your door mat. Weird right?
A few years ago I did this in addition to installing cameras. Over the last couple of years I've seen this exact scenario play out: thief walks to the door, checks under the mat, unsuccessfully tries to grab the key, backs up, looks around to see if anyone is watching (presumably because they think they have fallen for some trap/prank where they are being surveilled), and LEAVES. They don't even search for another way in because it spooks them.
My Name Is Mars 4 years ago
Already have multiple security cameras. Gonna do the key thing. I live in a very safe neighborhood but one can never be too careful!
Alex Bailey 4 years ago
Same here! Have nice visible cameras around the property and motion sensor lights. Also have signs saying 'CCTV' as that's the law in the UK and I'd hope that would be off-putting to some extent. Then a burglar alarm and the finishing touch is my dog! My dog barks if he hears someone so much as blink within 10 metres of the house and he has a big bark and makes the door rock in it's frame when he throws himself at it. I'm fully expecting my whole doorway to end up on my drive one of these days to be honest... 🤷
Load More Replies...
cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
*1 week later* Thief 1: "Don't bother with this street" Thief 2: "Why not? There are loads of houses, and they look rich as f*ck" Thief 1: "They are all on the same TV show or YouTube or TikTok thing because they all have fake keys stuck to the floor.
H Edwards 4 years ago
Just in case this doesn't spook the potential thief, make sure it's not an actual spare key to your house...
Kelli Lindsay 4 years ago
Some people are missing the psychological aspects of this that make it work. Even the most hardened criminal gets a little nervous breaking into a house, I imagine bc they don't exactly know what's going to go down in the next few minutes; but a usually familiar object (key under mat) doing unusual things (key glued to porch) would make one pause and think "now, why would someone do that?", that gets the adrenaline and paranoia ("are they on to me? Are they watching me RIGHT NOW?") going, leading to internal alarm bells going off and at that point, the uncertainty of it all leads them to just move on to someone else. It's not about the key itself, but the key behaving differently (not just laying there, ready to use). Kinda like cats aren't actually afraid of cucumbers, they are afraid of the sudden thing in their midst that isn't normally there.
Joanna Werman 4 years ago
You've convinced me. I'm going to glue a cucumber under my doormat
Load More Replies...
Christopher Beckford 9 months ago
How about glueing 50 keys to the bottom of the matt along with a note saying "Your move..."
bookladydavina 9 months ago
currently have several old keys "hidden" on/around our porch... keys to old locks we don't have anymore, our previous house in another state, cars we haven't owned in ages (also in other states and likely not even on the road anymore...) have fun! :)
Richienotsorich 5 months ago
Just hope they don't break one of them off in the lock trying them out!
Load More Replies...
Karen Lyon 2 months ago
Yeah, NO. When I go out of town, I regularly use a cat sitter. For awhile, I used a lockbox so the sitter had access to the key to my apartment. Last summer, someone noticed and tried to figure out the code. Not only was he not worried anyone seeing him, he had two little kids with him while he was trying that s**t. The maintenance guy, who is an utter prince, saw him and asked him what the h**l he was doing. THEN he "noped" out! The maintenance guy was still p****d about it when I got home a few days later. If I had taped a key under my mat, I would probably have come home to all my stuff stolen. I call BS on this.
I was curious to get the redditor's take on how to defend our home from would-be burglars and evildoers of every kind. Here's the advice that they gave Bored Panda: "The best defense is probably not having your house be an easy target to start with. Put up security screens, lock your doors and windows, cut overgrown plants and put up signs like 'beware of the dog'/'security cameras.'" They pointed out that you should probably put these signs up even if you don't own a dog or any cameras.
I also wanted the original poster's opinion about whether or not we should trust the advice of ex-criminals when it comes to security. "That's a tough one," they said. "Being criminals, I would say it's best to take their advice with a grain of salt, but on the other hand who better to ask then the people doing the burgling themselves, the burglars."
What's more, the redditor shared a bit of their experience about staying smart on the streets, especially in areas that aren't as safe. "I have found that generally if you keep to yourself (like not involving yourself or trying to break up in fights) and don't look at shady people, you will be fine."
RELATED:
#2
Window Watcher Alert
My husband is so good at hiding things from burglars that there are a number of valuable items that we have never found again. So hiding things is fine, but remembering where you hid them is just as important.
Nicholas Kramer 4 years ago
Next article is going to be about people who bought a house and found treasures
Nicholas Kramer 4 years ago (edited)
Dude!!!! They f*****g did it!!!!! Oh s**t, noone is going to read this but me!!! Bastereds!!!! Lol. Ok, next article is going to be about some dark humored comic strip. Make it happen
Load More Replies...
Two_rolling_black_eyes 4 years ago
My grandfather was a cowboy and collected handguns before he met grandma. Once they got pregnant, she made him get rid of the collection. He had a gun safe with several rifles and shotguns but grandma didn't want handguns in the house. Fast forward 5 decades and grandpa passed. While preparing for an estate sale to move to a smaller place (5 bedroom to 1 bedroom) she discovered a revolver in a hidden holster under his desk. When she told my uncle, he went upstairs and came down with a Baby Browning that was hidden behind the panel of a light switch in his closet that had never worked. Grandpa had made a dummy switch and put it there on my uncle's 14th birthday "to protect his sisters". The two of them started looking and pretty much every project grandpa had ever done included a hidden cache for a gun.
Andrew Keir 8 months ago
My grandfather brought his sidearm back from WW1, just because he could. When he passed, Grandma found it and wanted to get rid, so she threw it on the fire... Apparently they evacuated the house for the rest of the day, until they were stone cold certain the fire had gone out and was cold. Nobody quite felt like taking the wreckage to the police station so it went out with the rubbish.
Load More Replies...
snipergun 4 years ago
When robber comes at least you have opportunity to tell him, that you'll help him search 😊
June 9 months ago
There are a few occurrences of stupid in my family : grand mother hid jewels in a flour pack, got mealmoths and someone threw the flour in the bin 🤦♀️ Couple decades later I was at her son / my uncle place, cooking. Turn the extractor hood on, grandmother runs in a panic : her son hides his cash in the extractor hood 🤦♀️ Seriously fam...
Aidan Pite 4 years ago
That husband sounds like Drunk Me. Bastard's constantly playing hide-and-seek with Sober Me.
Joley Hidaka 4 years ago
I have done that at least TWICE. But here's how I found them again: I said to myself 'if I were going to hide this, where would I put it?' and by gosh, that's where it was!
Celtic Pirate Queen 4 years ago
I have about 1,000 hardback books. I am STILL looking for that $500 I hid from myself.
Kisses4Katie 4 years ago
Me and cash. I squirrel it away if I ever have it and then lose it for months.
#3
Morning Mood Check
This will get burried, but here we go.
Not a burglar but some broke into my family's house 4 or 5 years ago when we were out on a concert. They checked everything - took all money and jewelry they could find.
Except! My room was a mess to begin with. I left piles of clothes on the floor, my study desk messy af, left piles of papers on both desk and floor (i was in a hurry before we all left and was searching for something I can quite remember now.
Now. I had 800€ and golden earrings on my desk, just sitting there.
The burglars opened the doors... and didn't move a thing. Left my 800€ and golden earrings alone and moved to another room.
From then on I have been using this as an excuse why I don't need to clean up my room.
Cassie 4 years ago
When we lived in a trailer (very easy to break into) in a bad neighborhood, leaving clutter in walkways was one of the things I did on purpose as a security measure. It was both a tripping hazard and could potentially alert me to somebody sneaking around in my house when they made noise trying to get through the mess.
Claire 4 years ago
Similar thing happened to me/my sister. My brother-in-law had ordered a brand new computer system for me and it was piled up in the entryway, right where they broke in. They ignored the brand new computer, speakers, key board, monitor etc brand new still in the box and went into the office and pulled out my sisters crappy old computer.
SykesDaMan 4 years ago
Yeah, that's why I don't clean up either! Same reason! What do you mean by lazy?
The author of the thread, AsleepFondant, shared with Bored Panda that they were caught completely unaware by just how popular their thread was. They had no clue the question would go so viral. In fact, it was the very first time their post on Reddit got so much attention.
"I didn't expect it to blow up at all, I was shocked as that's the first time anything I have ever posted has blown up to that degree," they told me. They joked that they wish they'd posted the question on their main Reddit account, considering how much people liked it.
#4
Off to New Adventures
Former crime reporter here. Tampon box and kitty litter are good. I've also seen false outlets that are safe as a safe.
I don't think burglars are the best folks to ask. Check with drug dealers, they're the best at hiding stuff.
Noel Bovae 4 years ago
Ha, I've actually used both of these before! If you have cash, it can be hidden *inside* an (obviously unused) pad or tampon too. No one would ever think to open every single pad wrapper, looking for something hidden inside.
T Robb (T Robb) 9 months ago
I have used the litter box. I also had an issue with trash divers ripping open my bags of garbage and leaving a huge mess, usually my shredded paper or other things like bags with broken glass.( I am klutz you'd be amazed how much glass I break) I would go so far to wrap them up with packing tape making them like almost impossible to rip open with out a sharp knife and write on them with Sharpie that it is just shredded paper or contains broken glass, . Didn't stop them, so then I said FU then and now everything I don't want ripped open for the huge or dangerous mess it is going make. I dump the dirt kitty litterbox in with it. I haven't had a mess in a long time. I think they got the message. And seriously ? Have you ever lifted a bag of shredded paper ? It weighs like a feather. They had to know there couldn't have been anything in there but shredded paper. to need to rip it open to make sure. Well it isn't light now and it isn't just paper.Enjoy your urine soaked clay and shyt
Brian Bennett 4 years ago
The way my cats throw litter around - that ain't safe - under the litter box is great for small stuff!
Eithne Griffiths 4 years ago (edited)
What's the difference between an alcoholic and an addict? An alcoholic will steal your wallet. An addict will steal your wallet , then help you try to find it.
#5
Always Watching You
Also side note, I use to do door to door sales for ADT... people would let me in the house and just tell me where all the important stuff was before even verifying I was legit..... don’t do that.
Dill 4 years ago
Not going to let you in the house full stop. Sorry door to door sales people but I'm not going to buy from you. I have CCTV and see you with your clipboard/badge/whatever and that's enough to stop me answering the door.
Pamela Blue 1 year ago (edited)
I don't answer the door - ever - period. If the doorbell rings, it's not someone I'm expecting, so it's likely I don't want to talk to you, or donate to your cause, or join your religion, or tell you my political leanings, or buy your windows or switch to your cable service. So just go away.
Load More Replies...
Glirpy 4 years ago (edited)
I've been alive for quite a long time now. I have never in my life had a door-to-door salesman come to any house I have lived in. Who still does this?
Suz66 4 years ago
Local pest control companies, home improvement cos. They are always "working in the area and thought you would want this service, a lot of your neighbors and signing up."
Load More Replies... Nadine Debard 4 years ago
A few days before Christmas, a man (about 50 yo, cheap polyester suit and tie, he really had the 'salesman' look) came at my door to sell frozen food from a big company. He also had the little truck with the company name. He proposed some discounts and asked if he could deliver on the next week. I explained that my freezer was broken. He said "Maybe you'll get a new one soon. May I come back before Christmas?" I answered I was way too broke to purchase another one. The week after, two houses were burgled, both of them told this guy they would be away during holidays.
Piper L 4 years ago
BTK. He worked as a security system installer for a time.
Load More Replies... Cassie 4 years ago
In my neighborhood, there is a well known thief who likes to hit the larger houses, but he doesn't get caught because the police do not care about this neighborhood (we were told to mind our own business after we reported the neighbor's teenager being kidnapped, and when we reported kids vandalizing a neighbor's house when the neighbor wasn't home, they told us there was no victim since nobody was in the house), but he never hit ours. I once asked him why and he said we had a sticker for a security system he didn't recognize and he didn't want any surprises. I didn't bother telling him that the sticker was there when we moved in and I just hadn't bothered removing it. I also left an old eviction notice on one of exterior doors that seems to deter solicitors - they just look at it and walk away without ever knocking.
Suz66 4 years ago
I made that mistake when I was an addict. These two guys dressed in suits with a Security Sales type tags on. They said that high speed internet with AT&T had become available in my area. I let them in the house and filled out an application. I shudder to think of what info I gave them. They needed my landlord's permission and they said no. Later I found out that my neighborhood was about a year out before the high speed AT&T and they weren't selling it yet here. Fortunately my credit was crappy. At that time I was going through a divorce (and living with a debilitating chronic illness and had a fresh foreclosure on my record,) which I was using drugs to cope with. I'm clean for years now and my credit is now worth protecting.
somnomania 4 years ago
god, we don't even open the storm door unless we know the person, what's wrong with people?
Don't Look 4 years ago
Yeah but really it’s not surprising how trusting people are. I used to see it all the time.
#6
Laundry Day Confessions
Had my house burglarized by a so-called friend. He missed by far the most valuable thing. it’s just a safe sitting on the laundry room floor. He missed it because I’m a scumbag and had it covered with a mountain of dirty clothes and towels. So not being tidy saved me upwards of $35K.
Dill 4 years ago
I find it a tad ironic. Burglarized instead of burgled. A lot of American English is simplified by taking out seemingly extraneous letters (color for colour and so on) and yet this one is made longer. Can't say I actually mind though.
Load More Replies...
MyCatsTheRealPanda 4 years ago
Had a scumbag "friend" rob us too! He was staying with us and We had some cash hidden in our dogs bed. Like buried in the stuffing and somehow that m**o found it. We were sure to never let anyone see us get in there, we hardly ever got in there so idk how he found it but he did. Honestly weirded me out wondering if he was like sleeping on our dogs bed when we weren't home or something lol.
Seadog 2 months ago
Like some everyday people, burglars are often lazy and don't check things staring them in the face. I had a 30" bottom box (Snap On knock off) and when cleaning up my dads shop it was basically unneeded and in the way so I offered it to someone for $100. They took a glance at it and declined because it wasn't showroom new. and the handles were missing. A few months later I finally get around to actually moving it and it didn't move so easily. Yeah, it had about $6000 in air tools in it. That guy could've gotten it for $100 if he'd just walked over and rolled it out and loaded it but he was lazy.
It’s not just burglars that we should watch out for. We also have to be aware of how safe we are online. After all, online shopping scams and swindles can be someone’s way to worm themselves into your wallet or to get private information.
Earlier, I’d reached out to the moderator team that manages the r/Scams subreddit for a few comments about online safety. According to one of the mods, online scams are a very different beast than real-life swindles.
"I think online shopping scams are different because you lose that layer of dealing with a real-life person. When you have a real person in front of you, a typical person will feel shame or guilt at the thought of taking advantage of a person,” they told Bored Panda.
#7
Quiet Corners and Hidden Doors
Your shed. Seriously. LOCK YOUR SHED. Even if your house is well-locked, if your shed isn't, I likely have access to a plethora of tools I can use to gain access.
cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
I know it sounds daft but bolt the walls down in each corner into concrete sunk into the ground. My dad scared off a burglar who had managed to lift the corner of his shed off the floor it was nailed to in order to get in
Tonya Wallace 4 years ago
Someone PLEASE come rob our shed. Save us the trouble of cleaning it out.
Sarah Murphy 5 months ago
Our shed was broken into overnight. Cops came and one mentioned to me they would look for our stuff in some p**n shops in our direct area.i went to one town away and saw a guy with my husbands distinctive bike in line to sell. Called the cops and quietly told the staff to delay him if they could the cops were coming. Two vans and three cars swarmed up. All dressed in tactical gear. Barely three hours from crime to arrest. Cops were high fiving each other saying it was the easiest catch ever.
Sarah Murphy 5 months ago
P**n [ffs] = second hand store where you can sell or borrow money on items
Load More Replies... June 9 months ago
I started stating it sounds pretty US to me, but no it just sounds priviledged... It made me laugh because it made me think about my neighbours (living in france) who put signs everywhere in the building telling people to be careful and lock the garage access because there are thieves. The point is, 75% of people leave their garage doors open for no reason. In my former poor folk's eyes, it means "I can afford to lose what is there as I don't even bother to close the door". It was so hard to not add "YOUR GARAGES" after the "take care to lock"... on the sign 😅 still contemplating doing it 🙃 Nowadays I would say I'm lower middle class which is pretty comfortable here, as I still have a lot of poor people's habits and thoughts. Lots of (privileged?) people are so delusional about... reality. 🤷♀️
June 9 months ago
Then there are also folks who have a parking spot without a door (tenant, basically) but they know better than leaving their stuff there. I'm sharing my garage with my neighboor (because I'm an awful leftist) and despite us being both ADHD we just keep the door closed because we can't afford to lose what's in there. Same goes for your shed, especially if it has tools (mf are expensive !). If they can help breaking in your home and you don't keep them secured like bare minimum then either you've got too much money or you need help 😬
Load More Replies... Betty Swallocks 1 year ago
This is how we describe the Conservative Government in The UK. - A Plethora Of Tools !
ZAPanda 4 years ago
so ... you... use the grinder ... with no electrical supply - to cut through the door - while making a huge noise?
Mazer 4 years ago
Nope, all they need are a pair of good bolt cutters and some muscle
Load More Replies... #8
Cash In Hand Vibes
Fun fact - aunt died, and had valuables hidden throughout the house. She was a cranky old cur, the one who had a ton of dough, no offspring, didn't donate, and thought she could take it with her. Well, hell. When she died, I helped out my elderly parents clean out her place. Instead of just being able to throw away the junk and pile up the clothes and other items to donation centers, we had to rifle through every pocket, every damn planter, pot and pan, etc. It was sort of fun, but took a hell of a long time. From what I recall, there was a few hundred bucks inside a few planters, 4.5k in the bottom part of an unused planter, under some little foam brick you stick fake flowers into, that was tucked way in the back of a cabinet, jewelry stashed in the arm of a leather couch, more money in some sewing drawer, a few hundred bucks in several jackets, etc. I took forever to go through every goddamn pocket, sock, drawer, container of nails and buttons, etc. Gotta admit, sorta fun as well. She never told any of us that she had money hidden. My mother just had a hunch.
Martha Meyer 4 years ago
From the nasty way he talks about her, that was probably more revenge.
Load More Replies...
GirlFriday 4 years ago
A cousin recently died and he was wired differently so he didn't like banks. We had to hunt through his house like this. We found approximately $80K hidden throughout his home. Just when we though we were finished someone noticed something off about the drywall in the garage and cut a hole in it. In that hole, we found another $10K in cash. This led to opening the drywall throughout the house. All in all, we found almost $200K in cash and another $10K in valuables. We were so thorough because he had two children and they need the money.
Octavia Hansen 4 years ago
My grandmother had immigrated from the old country. When she passed EVERY one of her coats, jackets and dresses had money sewn into the seams. Always check when you go through the belongings of a child who survived The Depression and a long journey.
Monkey Love 4 years ago
Hiding money is definitely a generational thing. My Gran would be 106 this year, the Great Depression hit our small island country pretty bad. My mum tells stories about when my Gran would dig up a jar of money that she'd buried, you knew because it smelled awful. In the late 80's she had to dig it all up because they were replacing everything with a new currency. When I was 14 I went to stay the summer with them. Dumb idea by the way, it was winter there. I needed to exchange some American money. My Grandpa called the bank, got the exchange rate, disappeared into their closet and came back with exact change. That's just who he was. They traveled the world in the 30's, when people wore their Sunday best to fly. My Gradpa had thousands stashed in all different currencies around the house, garage and his workshop. When he died suddenly, my Gran had to find it all too.
Mazer 4 years ago
The good part about squirreling money away like this is that in case of financial collapse, you are going to be good, in case of a natural disaster…not so much
Andrew Keir 8 months ago
Unless that disaster involves hyperinflation, then you've just got coloured toilet paper
Load More Replies... 
Lori Truzy 9 months ago (edited)
This was exactly what we had to do when my parents died. We found tens of thousands of dollars in gold coins hidden among trash and random junk.
Kris Syler 4 years ago
A friend's grandma did that, too. Had a bunch of cash wrapped up in aluminum foil in her freezer.
#9
Security Quit Early
Any safe that's not bolted down and is small enough for 1-2 people to carry isn't safe at all.
Kantami Blossom 3 years ago
In that case have a cheap safe filled with bricks and a container filled with loose metal(like nails) that will rattle, the burglars will lift it and after feeling the weight and hearing what will sound like coins or jewlery rattling will run away with a useless item instead of hunting for actual valuables.
Cip IESAN 4 years ago
A classmate stole my son's Lamy pens, like three-four times each year (all the parents know who the thief was, but we're not allowed to install cameras in the school). Last year, my son asked for a small (but heavy) safe, like the ones you find in hotels, to put it in his clasroom closet; the next day, his classmate stole the whole safe with the pen inside.
Verena Abt 4 years ago
When I still lived at my parents and we got burgled, they opened my little safe. I'm sure they burst into tears seeing my few pennies. I swear they put some more in because they pitied me.
“With the internet, you aren't dealing with a person, but a username and avatar. It is much easier to act maliciously when you don't have a real victim directly in front of you,” they said.
"Online scams also use a lot of tricks to pressure buyers; low prices, pushes to buy now!, taking advantage of someone's kindness or naivete (re: advance check fraud, money mules, etc), or advertising one product and sending another (or nothing at all, by using a fake tracking number). Getting a person to make a decision via high-pressure tactics and preventing them from reflecting and making a sound decision is key," the moderator from r/Scams explained how some scammers work.
#10
My grandfather had a huge safe in the basement. Inside that safe was another, smaller safe. And inside that other smaller safe was, you guessed it, an even smaller safe. When he got sick and had to be in the hospital for awhile he started telling everybody, from the people in line at the fast food place to the nurses, how we was okay because all his stuff was in this unbreakable safe in his basement. People thought he was crazy. Of course what was bound to happen happened and one time when he was out to the hospital someone broke into his home. When he got back maybe a week later, he saw that the first 2 safes we're opened but the guy gave up on the smallest one. Good for him because there wasn't anything in that last safe either. We had a good laugh about it for the 3 years he was still alive, trying to picture the would-be robber's face when he saw the third safe. So I guess one place you SHOULD keep your valuables is a safe inside a safe inside another safe. Robbers are lazy.
Peter Leung 1 year ago
I put the numbers to open my safe taped over the lock.Not the correct ones but it breaks the concentration of the thief who is trying out numbers.
Andrew Keir 8 months ago
Or, leave a large safe lying around, for them to take away and break into. That way they won't search too zealously for your stashes ...
#11
Quiet Moments Inside
As a troubled teen, I robbed schools. I can say this: lock your damn windows. 99% of the time we got in with unlocked windows.
Tiny Dynamine 4 years ago
It will vary a lot depending on the country. In some more developed ones, bars on the windows would be unheard of.
Load More Replies...
Bobert Robertson 4 years ago
Jokes on you, the school wanted you to steal the textbook so you'd get that education you were insisting you didn't want
Rickard Shen 3 years ago
Reminds me when I was a kid. Me and my friend tried to break into our kindergarten to play. The kitchen window was open, so we managed to climb in. The motion detector alarm went off, and we got scared and ran. I was 100% sure I would be arrested and sent to jail! We were probably 5-6 years old at that time.
Cass Thomas 4 years ago
You may get in through my unlocked window, but good luck getting out. Brutus likes company while I'm gone.
Tom De Paul 8 months ago
Our choir room had Sony reel to reels, $500 Shure microphones, etc.
Load More Replies... Seadog 2 months ago
When I was in elementary school, someone broke in one weekend. This was long before computers so I don't know what they thought they were gong to find to steal. Anyway, they thought they'd get locked in if the door closed so they stuck something in the door to keep it from closing. They eventually left via another door. What did they use to prop the entry door open? His dang wallet with his drivers license in it.
#12
Crafted Curiosities
My cousin lives in a bad neighborhood, so she went to a thrift store, bought an obvious-looking jewelry box and a bunch of expensive looking costume jewelry that’s actually worthless and put it in the box. She keeps this in a conspicuous place. Then she leaves a few 20s on top. This way if someone breaks in, they will grab this and run, ignoring some of her well-hidden valuables.
mulk 4 years ago
sort of "thief taxes"? Same when you leave some milk and food for Santa Claus and the reindeers...
Stannous Flouride 4 years ago
I had my kid convinced that Santa preferred beer and chips after working so hard delivering all those presents.
Load More Replies... Two_rolling_black_eyes 4 years ago
I carry a muggers wallet. Its a "dad" wallet with $27 bucks, a fast food receipt, and a bunch of loyalty cards that were never activated so it looks legit. Whenever I buy fast food, I replace the receipt that night.
Don't Look 4 years ago (edited)
Does this really happen anymore? If I break in successfully I’m going after… well, not jewelry. 🤔. You know what? I’m not a good burglar. 😲
"If a deal is too good to be true, it is. If you see a pair of brand new Apple AirPods advertised for $50, you are not getting an authentic product. There are many counterfeit items out there on the market, and you need to verify authenticity before hitting buy," they said that we should follow our gut instinct and listen to it if it’s warning us.
"Not only to avoid contributing to the counterfeit market, but because these knockoff products do not always go through the same safety standards of the real item; they may not be UL certified, they may use chemicals or ingredients that are not FDA approved and are unsafe for use on or in the human body, or could cause major harm to human life or property."
#13
Plugged Into Simplicity
I've seen people make false outlets for hiding valuables like cash and jewelry. Just an idea, a burglar would have to be at your home for a long time to start checking outlets.
Lauren Caswell 4 years ago
Wascally wabbit season, I'll be vewwy vewwy quiet too 😉
Load More Replies...
Joey Marlin 4 years ago
They are a good idea but place them somewhere you could realistically have power cables running to them. Saw one once where it was obvious what it was based on location alone - though I have an electrical contracting firm so it's probably more obvious to me.
third molar 4 years ago
An old neighbor spooked us saying they won't work because burglars come with a gold detector!! I didn't know if its a thing ...
Mir Adwari 4 years ago
Just googled it - there are detectors that are called 'gold and metal detectors'. Though I didn't do enough reading to see how successful they are with gold alone! I did read "A metal detector with different frequency settings allows you to search for specific metals, giving you the ability to find what you’re looking for. Lower frequencies are great for silver or large items, while higher frequencies are best for gold.".
Load More Replies... 
Brian Bennett 4 years ago
Yep! we have real outlets hoked to electricity and other ones are false if you are smart plug a plug in and put the wire behind something they cant see like a couch!
absolute zero 4 years ago (edited)
You can buy these, simply cut the hole and install with a screwdriver. Renting? Just leave it there, landlord won't even notice. You open it by plugging something into it which unlocks it, and the inner unit tips down for access.
#14
I’m an electrician and was on a job installing some wall fixtures for a customer, we found $3500 in an octagon box. I told the customer about the find and he’d stashed it there when they bought the house 15yrs prior. I guess even he forgot about it being there, he did give me a handsome tip of $300 for being honest about finding it and not keeping it since he would have never known.
Nick Moolinexo 9 months ago
“I guess he even forgot about it being there”. I think more likely than him forgetting about £3,500 is him being quick-thinking and saying “Oh yeah, that’s definitely mine, put there by me and I must have forgotten” whilst trying not to look too surprised at the find!
Marek Yanchurak 4 years ago
I imagine they handed it to the homeowner who counted it and let them know (along with other details like they had stashed it there themself but forgotten about it).
Load More Replies...
Strega Nonna 1 year ago
I can honestly write that I would never forget a hidden stash of $3,500, or even $50.
Seadog 2 months ago
Bank teller I knew had 2 guys come in with $1500 in silver coins. They were clearing a house of recyclables before demolition and discovered a room where the door had been sheet rocked over. The silver was in that room. The bank of course gave them face value of the coins and the teller immediately called her dad who came down and gave the bank their $1500 for the coins. Coins worth around 10X their face value. Those 2 guys could've gone almost anywhere besides a bank and gotten 2X their face value.
#15
Cozy Corners Ahead
I'm going to look under your bed, I'm going to dump out any drawer I find. I'm checking your freezer. I'm looking under the bathroom cabinet. Think that incredibly smart hiding spot you saw in a spy movie will work? We watch spy movies too. It's really going to be a matter of security versus convenience for you. If it takes me more than a minute to get to something (and don't forget I'm more than willing to break s**t to get to stuff) then it's not worth my trouble. I want to be out of your house in less than 15 minutes tops.
Glirpy 4 years ago (edited)
Thieves aren't going to check the freezer if they want to be out of a house in less than 15 minutes. Unless they are hungry. Then they'll grab a frozen dinner to heat up in the microwave. Then they find the laptop that you stupidly left in the microwave thinking it won't get stolen in there.
Lynn Scott 9 months ago
That actually happened to friends, came home from a holiday to find stuff missing, a couple steaks gone and the dishes, including frypan, in the sink.
Load More Replies... Cass Thomas 4 years ago
Good luck finding anything in my place that would be of value to you. Being with a corrections officer for over eight years was very educational. Most of his "inmates" were crooks like you and loved to talk, like you.
Tim 3 years ago
So you don't have a television, computer, jewelry, or cash in your house? I can get not having extremely valuable jewelry or lots of cash in the house, but none? No electronics?
Load More Replies...
WildHoneyPie 4 years ago (edited)
Luckily I'm kind of a slob and all those places have a bunch of stuff to wade through before you get to anything good. I'd say way more than 15 minutes. Seriously though we've got two loud dogs and wrought iron on our doors and windows.
Don't Look 4 years ago
Hey, while you’re at it, would you mind sweeping and mopping and wiping? Thanks.
Serena Myers 7 months ago
Good luck looking under the bed, or in my drawers (keep your pervy mind out of my knickers, thank you) I keep valuables in one place, and one place only, and that is my secret which I will take to my cremation.
Something else that can give you an extra layer of security is switching your debit card for a credit card. "Credit card protections for most cards are much more forgiving than debit cards. You can generally get your money back faster if you were scammed or misled by a business, versus initiating an investigation through your bank. It is always smarter to pay by credit card (and pay off your balance monthly!)."
#16
Weekend Plans Sorted
Don't leave things out that people can see from outside your home or car. If you buy a new TV or computer break down the box it came in. Don't just leave it by your garbage bin.
Tuna Fish 4 years ago
I started putting the old tv in the box the new tv came in. Put it on the porch like the delivery guy left it there and wait for a porch pirate to come steal it. Free disposal of old appliances! JK
Terence Morgan 9 months ago
The yob who steals it may simply dump it and if your name and address is on the box you will be considered as a fly tipper.
Load More Replies... Xottel 4 years ago
Also selling your old stuff on Craigslist etc is a potential way to let bad guys scout your belongings.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
That's why you meet buyers on an empty parking lot at 11 PM with your merchandise in the trunk of your car with covered license plates.
Load More Replies... 
Seadog 2 months ago
Guy that works for the county got a new TV, took the old one to work to toss. Didn't have time on arrival so just left it on the back of his pick-up. When he came back there were 3 TVs. Maybe it's a regional thing but I can't believe anyone steals TVs anymore. They're super fragile and usually big. I had a $6000 Pioneer plasma TV and it took me years to find someone who wanted it for free. Nothing wrong with it, I just didn't have a use for it anymore.
Microwaved Robot 6 months ago
Break down the boxes but keep them. Need to get rid of garbage? Porch Pirates will hate you!
Mary Profilio 9 months ago
fill the empty box with unwanted junk and reseal it and place it on your porch for package theives.
Henrik Fleischer 9 months ago
Put trash in the box from the expensive TV, tape it up like a pro and leave it ascessible.
#17
Code Cracking Vibes
I'm going to keep a small safe in the living room with a giant foam middle finger inside for when the day comes.
~hUmMuS vIbEs~ 4 years ago
I mean, if you happened to own a giant foam middle finger, you'd definitely want to keep it safe! Also, I totally want to see the reaction of a burglar when they found that >+<
ThEboRedEsTpANdA 4 years ago
Then put a CCTV cam in there that's always recording so you can see the thief's face
Brian Bennett 4 years ago
Next door just had 2 new doors installed with push button like on a safe - he's an ex-cop!
absolute zero 4 years ago
I have wall safes I get from Amazon for about $65. Just cut a hole in a closet wall behind your clothes, they fit between the studs and simply screw in. They are pushbutton and key combos. If you're willing to leave it behind, your landlord probably won't mind the installation.
#18
Powered By Caffeine
Not a former burglar, but my house was robbed before which made my dad want to hide his work laptop the next time we went out. Little did anyone else know, he decided to hide it in the oven. We only realized this after my mom finished cooking dinner and smelled something strange. He should have learned his lesson then, but maybe 2 moths later he decided to hide a laptop in the microwave, because you can’t miss the laptop when it is the only thing in the microwave, right? Later that day my sister needed to use a minute timer to get something so she just hit the 1 minute button on the microwave without checking. Trying to hide laptops costed my dad 2 of them so maybe don’t hide them there.
Rijkærd 4 years ago (edited)
That dad is kinda dumb on my opinion. From oven to microwave? I take my caution back. That dad is dumb af.
Marcellus II 4 years ago
Running an empty microwave to have a 1min timer seems equally dumb. It may be inheritable.
Load More Replies...
Jo Morris 4 years ago
For using the microwave for a timer, DON'T turn it on for whatever length of time, even as little as one minute! Most/all microwaves have a timer function so when it's used, the power level is on zero. It is dangerous to have the microwave turned on, using any other power level, when it's empty!!!
Grant Barke 4 years ago
Time for him to keep it safe in the freezer. Keeps your downloaded porn nice and fresh.
My Name Is Mars 4 years ago
The mom didn't notice the laptop in the oven when she put food in it to cook?
Auntriarch 4 years ago
I'm guessing the mom found out when the oven was up to temperature and she opened it to put the food in, but OP doesn't realise that
Load More Replies...
TheWickedOne 4 years ago
I always look in the oven before starting it. Also, you should never run the microwave when empty, if you need a timer, then use the timer, don't start the damn thing for no reason. Dad is dumb for the first one, but sister is an idiot.
#19
Lol my dad and 2 uncles were once looking after my house for my grandma (they were about 11, 17 and 18) when the heard someone knocking about the garage, so my dad and uncle (18 and 17) went out and found a burgular, and threatened to beat him up if he didn't leave the property. He had his ladder next to the garage to try and get in from the top (idk what he was doing that for), and as he left he asked if he could at least take his ladder with him. To this day my dad still has that ladder
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
Nope. You can just take your bad smell with you.
Load More Replies...
Shalini Pabreja 4 years ago (edited)
Happened to my cousin. They lived on a street which, coincidentally, had a lot of athletic, eager-to-brawl teenage boys. These houses were row houses with large terraces right next to each other. It was a warm summer night so most of them were sleeping on terraces in our tropical area. The burglar made the mistake of approaching through the terraces, got his ass handed to him in so many houses in so many ways as he tried to jump houses to escape. Probably adopted a new profession the next morning 😄
absolute zero 4 years ago
This is another point, don't leave your ladder where it can easily be reached.
The Dude 4 years ago
Wait. Your Dad is 18, your uncle is 17, your other uncle is 11 and they were looking after your house because your grandma asked them to? Bizarre....
Michelle Thiel 4 years ago
Teenage relatives make cheap & trustworthy house-sitters, and they appreciate the chance to spend time away from parents & young siblings.
Load More Replies... Betty Swallocks 1 year ago (edited)
Saw a guy trying to steal a bike. I shouted "Hey ! That's my bike !" He gets startled, tries to escape and runs stralght into a phone pole and knocks himself out. I bent his middle finger back so far it was pointing at his elbow. I dropped his phone down a drain grate. I removed his shoes and trousers and left them in a bin down the street. I'm guessing the real owner of the bike had an alibi and didn't look anything like me.
#20
Lost in Transit Vibes
Don't put pics on Facebook /social media of you and your family going on a week long trip from the airport
Glirpy 4 years ago (edited)
"We are all going on a vacation today to the Bahamas! Except for our 80lb pitbull, Max. We left him at home. With a small bowl of food. So he will be very hungry. Yes, very hungry indeed."
AJ the 🦔 4 years ago
"Oh, and how could I forget that he had his teeth sharpened before we left."
Load More Replies... Rick Hoppenbrouwer 4 years ago
Actually please do. That way the criminals are kept busy looking for your place and my place stays safe. Stupid people can be the best.
Biba Little 4 years ago
Yes, always put photos AFTER you come back, and mention that this was before. That is main rule if you are posting photos from travel. Never announce you will not be at home.
Brian Bennett 4 years ago
Got a broad next door who posts every thing on Facebook, if she goes out to dinner she takes a picture of the food and posts it. Dumb and dumber!
Seadog 2 months ago
It's been stated many times for more then 15 years to never post where you're going or are. Only post where you went after you've returned. That advice is just as effective as telling people to NOT open emails from strangers saying they need you to help them get their inheritance.
#21
Light in the Quiet Shadows
LED lighting is cheap these days. If your house is gonna be vacant for a while, consider investing in one of those smart-lighting systems where you can set different rooms to turn on and off at different points in the day. (Kitchen during dinnertime, bedrooms at night, etc.)
Roxy Eastland 4 years ago
You don't need a fancy system. Just a couple of timers that plug into wall sockets, with standard or desk lamps plugged in, set to go on in the evening and turn off at bed time.
GirlFriday 4 years ago
So much this! I purchased a package of four outlet times from a big box store for $10. I set them up in different rooms to light up and go off at different times when I am away for more than a day.
Load More Replies...
cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
We have a small lamp with a TV flicker emulation bulb in it. From the outside, it looks like the TV is on. The lamp is next to the TV
Kathy Pearlman 1 month ago
Alexa turns my living room light on and off (even if I don't tell them to). One bulb or plug. And the app of course.
Brian Bennett 4 years ago
I never go anywhere for any length of time do I just leave the light on where ever! Light is on in house at night always different rooms!
#22
Classic Comfort Vibes
Oh, and thanks for locking drawers. That way I know exactly where the valuables are. I can open that cheap wood drawer as quickly with a crowbar as pulling it open.
ZAPanda 4 years ago
book safes. burglars rob people because they have no education. they are not going to steal a book.
T Robb (T Robb) 9 months ago
I had the Bible with the insides cut out when I was young. I also have the fake lightbulbs in the lamp, and I am a foodie,so there are always cans of " Pringles" in my room.. When I open them I never rip off the foil but leave it on and open and close it each time . So if you see it sitting there it looks like it hasn’t even been opened yet. People are less likely to help themselves with food or snacks that haven’t been opened yet.So if you are just someone nefarious described as a "friend" or neighbor, who tries to nip shyt while in my home when I am there. You are not going to find anything, unless you are rude enough to grab my food without asking first. Most likely though those particular canisters are "tossed" in the garbage, waiting for me to empty it. The ones you would likely grab are really going to have chips in them. I grew up with a pathological liar -thief for a brother, nothing was sacred, and he would do it in front of you .I had to come up with unusual places.
Load More Replies... cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
Remember the key glued under the mat? Put a dye pack in the drawer, prime it and then lock it
A B C 4 years ago
... and then forget about it when you open the drawer the next time. No thank you.
Load More Replies...
Lynda Veilleux 3 years ago
We bought a dresser at Habitat for Humanity and it had 2 secret drawers that we found by accident. It had cheap jewelry in them.
KieLeaHar 7 months ago
This person doesn’t rob houses either because MOST people don’t actually keep valuables in locking drawers. That’s just for a distraction. And you don’t use crowbars to pull them open any more. Most people just keep the keys in them these days because they’re not for valuables.
Winter Eleven 3 years ago
I lock the drawers that have the most crap in jt. Out of sight out of mind
#23
Keys to Everywhere
DON'T USE KEY RACKS OR BOWLS NEXT TO THE DOOR! The amount of stolen cars where the burglar takes one step into the house, picks up the keys to the family car and leaves immediately is just sad.
Friday 4 years ago
I leave my car keys out just for that reason. If someone is brazen enough to break into my home for my car, I’d rather them take it and leave. I don’t want them to enter my bedroom to search for the keys while I’m sleeping. Cars can be replaced, that’s why we have insurance.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Insurance: Since you've had your $30 000 car for almost 2 months, we value it at $14 995.
Load More Replies...
Wilf 4 years ago
In Europe at least, it is common to have postal boxes fitted directly to the front door of the house. It is really common for thieves to simply open the letter box and use a long stick to hook the car keys off the hallway wall, retrieve them, and then steal your car. They don't even have to enter the property.
Lucas 4 years ago
I deliberately chose not to have a letter box. Have a locked parcel safe at the front that is much more convenient and directly in the line of my CCTV cameras.
Load More Replies... Rissie 4 years ago
Most burglars don't look for cars. That's a whole different market. You have to sell a car with registration not to your name, you need a network. Now you don't want to leave your keys to close to the door because actual car thieves can scan for the keys. Keep them well inside your home.
M O'Connell 4 years ago
Particularly in Kentucky, USA, you do not need to have the title for a vehicle to scrap it if it is over 25 years old. Lots of 90s cars get stolen and turned into $200 without any questions being asked.
Load More Replies...
Cass Thomas 4 years ago
We can't find our keys most of the time, so good luck to anyone who wants to steal our vehicles!!!!
Just saying 4 years ago
Also, with modern remote key locking systems, if your key is near enough to your car, even if it's in the hallway, they can hack your key to gain access to your car.
April Stephens 4 years ago
The chances that my home will be burglarized are smaller than the chances that I will repeatedly lose my keys unless I put it in the designated key rack/bowl next to the door. So I still prefer to put the keys in an obvious place.
#24
Lost in the Scroll Zone
On your social media page.
No really.
Dont post photos of expensive stuff you just bought on Facebook. You might think it's cool to show it off, but to a would be theif, it just becomes a shopping list.
Martha Meyer 4 years ago
Showing off expensive stuff you bought on social media isn't "cool", it's tacky.
Dre Mosley 4 years ago (edited)
People go on vacation and post a steady stream of photos up on Facebook and Instagram while on vacation. Good job letting us all know you're nowhere near your home.
Michelle Bucolo 4 weeks ago
Don't post anything to public anyway. Keep private for friends list and don't accept friend requests from people you don't know well and trust.
#25
Stacked Stories Await
For the college kids that might read this, don't keep your textbooks in your car. On the day of my finals I had about six textbooks I was gonna sell in my car. Came back to find someone broke my window and stole the textbooks. Cop told me that it's very common and unlikely they will catch the guy, so I was out ~$700, which was huge as a college student.
Darko Pešić 4 years ago
Lol 700 is huge for a college student... Its huge for me too dude, and i am working for past 8 years now...
Seadog 2 months ago
And the cost of having the window replaced. Cars are designed stupid anyway. My car, a hatchback, so no secure trunk, requires the switch to be on to pop the hatch. But my sons car (same kind of car) is a convertible, so it has a secure trunk but....you guessed it, the trunk button is live all the time therefore making the trunk not secure.
Load More Replies...
Toby Flenderson 4 years ago
Look at the bright side: you may have paid $700 for the books, but you were only going to get $30 by selling them back to the bookstore, so (A) you didn't get robbed for as much as you thought, or (B) you did, but you misidentified the real thief.
Andrew Bridge 4 years ago
Wait, books? As in more than one? For only 700?
Load More Replies...
Emperor Kitten 4 years ago
It may have cost you $700 to buy, but those books will get you about $20 back. The real thief is the jacked up education system. (Assuming you're in the US)
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Don't keep anything in your car in sight. An empty grocery bag may be used to hide a laptop. Thieves do not care if they have to cause $1500 worth of damage to your car just to find out that it's just an empty grocery bag.
SobyKay 4 years ago
I feel this one must be very location specific. I've spent thousands of dollars on textbooks by now, and they have little to no resale value. Universities set it up that way - by the time you purchase one edition, a new edition is out and the profs require only the newest edition because they are completely different (they're not, they're literally the same). I could not sell my textbooks after using them, local library wouldnt even take them. If I didnt want to keep them, I ended up giving them to friends who might be interested in the subject or throwing them away. A thief would be doing me a favor.
Mazer 4 years ago
Happened to my coworker. They blamed the homeless. I asked her how many homeless people are likely to be hauling around a textbook. It’s unlikely they even know the worth of textbooks. When she said the car had been at the junior college parking lot, I offered that it was most likely a student. I would mark up the outside of the books and the edges of pages with a sharpie, much easier to spot than a pristine book
Andrew Keir 8 months ago
If you've got a friend in a junior year, leave the books with them to sell for you, to short-cut the enormous mark-up some bookstores put on textbooks. Sell in September not May !
Stacey Roberts 9 months ago
When in college some broke into a professors car and stole a text book with his notes. He was less upset about the broken window and the radio that was taken than the text book. This guy was the best teacher in the department - by far.
Kathleen Pearlman 9 months ago
My hint for that is borrow the textbooks from your library. If they aren't in your public library, go to the school's library and photocopy what you need out of the book that's there. Or, nowadays check online - your book might be in Google Books if it's old enough
#26
Ready for the Unexpected
Pro tip: Hide your small valuables inside a used/empty fire extinguisher, no one is going to steal a fire extinguisher...
A B C 4 years ago
If you empty it first, you can open it safely. The question is, how to open it without scratching or denting it so people don't immediately see it's been tampered with?
Load More Replies... SykesDaMan 4 years ago
When I was in High School, a student was expelled because he stole a fire extinguisher from said school.
Glirpy 4 years ago
Can I just ask who has an empty fire extinguisher just sitting around? Even if you are unlucky enough to have to use one, you're supposed to recycle them.
Douglas Turner 4 years ago
I have several out in the studio... they make good percussion instruments. And hiding places, apparently.
Load More Replies... cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
Neighbour has his caravan broken into a lot. The only thing that gets stolen is the fire extinguisher! Not the TV. Not the microwave etc. The bloody fire extinguisher!
M O'Connell 4 years ago
Most thieves won't bother with stealing anything that's bolted down, they want something quick that leaves a minimum of evidence behind.
Load More Replies...
Elizabeth Hendrick 4 years ago
I definitely need one but I never thought of stealing one - until now...
onze ruedelarep 6 months ago
I knew a guy who was very drunk and stole a fire extinguisher from a student residence. Then took it on the bus, and he started leaking all over him. He went home and put his wet clothes on an electric heater and they caught fire. He had to call the fire brigade. True karma story.
#27
Surveillance Zone Ahead
I read somewhere that if a thief sees a home security alarm sign 90% of them walk away. A friend of mine bought a ADT security sign off Ebay for this very reason.
Octavia Hansen 4 years ago
I bought a roll of thin silver tape, looks just like security tape on store windows, and lined my patio door and all windows with it. No security company connection, just tape. Of all the apartments, mine was never broken into.
Jane Hower 5 months ago
That and an unlocked CLUB on your steering wheel will get a thief to move on to the next car.
Deborah Aitch 8 months ago
I don't get why people put up a sign saying they have an alarm. It's advertising you have things worth stealing and a burgler can disarm the alarm, rip out your safe, leave no contact forensics( everybody has seen how to avoid that on cop shows) and be out in 10. Waste of money. My 3 reactive dogs are my alarm and more of a deterrent.
Silvia John 9 months ago
Signs about video surveillance can also suggest that there are valuable things in the house that need to be protected.
Deborah Hemstock 9 months ago (edited)
A past neighbor of ours was broken into and things stolen four different times even though he had the signs posted and actually HAD the ADT security system!! But I think their problem was that they had a teenage son and his "friends" knew what kind of electronics they had in the house because that was what was mostly stolen each time.
Kathleen Pearlman 9 months ago
I had a neighbor who did that. Ours was a sign from a security system we had uninstalled.
Tammy Bennett 9 months ago
An addendum to this, if you do have an alarm system, use it. Don't think you'll only be gone for a little bit; it doesn't take long for a good thief to break in and steal something, especially if they're watching your house. We have an alarm and it saved us once. A burglar pried open a window and set off the alarm. The alarm company called me and after confirming with my husband he wasn't home, told them to call the sheriff. My husband got there at the same time as the sheriff and they found the screen pried off, window open and the wet grass under the window trampled.
Jackie Stout 1 year ago
We have one. Not sure where it came from but we keep it front and center.
Chelsea Watson 3 years ago
Beware of Dog signs work well too… I have two German Shepherds, so I have Beware of German Shepherds signs, one in the back of my apartment and one in the front. Ain’t nobody gonna bother me!
#28
Rusty Secrets Inside
Fire safes only are safe from fires.
Robert T 4 years ago
And they aren't even safe from fires for very long. They are usually good for about half an hour or so. But if you have important documents, they are better than just leaving them in a drawer.
Eucritta 4 years ago
Just don't open them right away. Let everything cool down first. Otherwise, the newly exposed paper can combust.
Load More Replies... Two_rolling_black_eyes 4 years ago
There's a guy called the lockpicking lawyer that does YouTube videos checking how good locks are. He has a series on firesafes not being real safes. He did one where he opened a safe the size of the one in the picture in ~ 1 minute 15 seconds with a powersaw - just cut a line all the way around and the entire front fell off.
A Head 4 years ago
Yeah, the lock on ours broke, and I needed to get in there to get birth certificates to renew our kids' passports. 10 second with a reciprocating saw to cut hook that help it shut.
Load More Replies... d8kjtf5bxq 9 months ago
It’s important to note that fire safes are only good for protecting PAPER products from combustion at about 425F but your CDs, DVDs, and hard drives will melt into a messy goo
Brian Bennett 4 years ago
I can't afford a safe so may be I wont' get robbed! (Facebook thinker!)
#29
Parked Like a Boss
You’d be surprised at how often people leave their cars unlocked with nice things inside. A lot of people actually leave them unlocked with the keys inside. It’s how the majority of cars are stolen.
~hUmMuS vIbEs~ 4 years ago
Some cars self lock after a while, leaving your keys in there so don't. (I know this from experience).
Dill 4 years ago
Yep, my car does this! I left the keys on the seat while I faffed about with something... Beep, beep goes my car and clunk! The doors locked!
Load More Replies... My Name Is Mars 4 years ago
Mine self locks unless the keys are left inside. I cannot understand the logic of leaving your keys in your car. Same for people who leave valuables and/or their purse in plain sight in their car.
Joey Marlin 4 years ago
Mine self locks regardless of where the keys are! Slightly annoying on one occasion. I completely agree with you about leaving keys in the car or leaving it unlocked. Insurance claims are hard enough without giving them a get-out if you make it easy for a thief.
Load More Replies... 
Cass Thomas 4 years ago
I would rather have my car stolen than have the windows broken or other damage caused by someone forcing entry into it. The deductible is the same.
Beth L 4 years ago
I am perpetually baffled at the sheer number of people who leave their cars unlocked in this town, knowing that we don't go a week without someone reporting something stolen from an unlocked car. Or if you really can't be bothered with using keys/fobs, then stop leaving stuff in your car - then you just have to clean up if a drunk college student decides to pee, vomit, and/or sleep in it.
#30
Locked Out Logic
Don’t keep your spare key outside near the front door — under a pot plant, under doormat, top of door frame etc.
Robert T 4 years ago
Because people have a habit of locking themselves out of their houses and losing their keys. Or because they need to leave a key somewhere for the kids to get in if they are delayed for some reason. A key safe is a better idea these days, as they can phone and get the code.
Load More Replies... Octavia Hansen 4 years ago
Had a good neighbor a few doors down -- I kept my spare key hidden on her porch, her key on mine. We did not know where the other's key was, and we did not have to get inside to get our keys from the other. If a key was found, it wasn't to that house. This works great for apartments.
J. Normal 4 years ago
My neighbors did this when I was a kid, they hid it in the brick work by their door. I was a bit of a terror, and I used to climb the bricks ( no idea why) one day I knocked on their door to return the key I found. It was a favorite story of theirs ( next to my sister climbing out her window on to their roof.).
Don't Look 4 years ago
Uhm no we’re all going to glue a different key under the mat. There’s a whole thing about right at the top. (It outranked you.)
Grant Barke 4 years ago
Have never done this and cant remember ever being locked out of my home either.
Eucritta 4 years ago
I did once. Had to borrow a tall ladder to get into my apartment through a window with a wonky lock, while two little kids who lived across the road provided a chorus of ridicule. I did learn that no-one will bother to call the cops, even if they see someone blatantly breaking in from the front. Also, in a city, it's unlikely your neighbors will know who you are.
Load More Replies... Brian Bennett 4 years ago
Have you ever seen those phony rocks with a space for a key - wow - now that's a deterrent!
#31
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Closets — gold mine for jewelry.
#32
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Don't set your satnav "home" as where you live. If I've stolen your car keys while you're out, I likely have your house key too, know where you live and know you're not home.
Monday 4 years ago
It would be rather stupid of the thief to assume that just because the car owner isn't home that nobody else is. And if Mr. Thief rocks up at said house and another occupant is home that occupant is immediately going to realize car was stolen when the driver is clearly not the owner.
Kevin Erdős–Bacon 4 years ago
You can switch cars after checking the satnav
Load More Replies...
Chrystal Swope 4 years ago
Your home address is on your registration paperwork in the glove box so they could find your home anyway. Don't live in fear.
Seadog 2 months ago
First, never put the ignition key on the same ring with the clicker and other keys. This means you're less likely to lock your keys in the car and means if the ignition key is stolen, that's all they have and if the car has a separate door key, they'll have to break in to use said ignition key. As for the satnav, I'd laugh if they tried that on my car. Bought it used from a friend. He worked in California for a while but would park the car in Vegas when coming home as airfare to Vegas is cheaper than LAX. The Satnav quit working so...you guessed it...it's forever in Vegas. We're in Virginia. So, what happens in Vegas really does stay in Vegas. ( I contacted the manufacturer, it's not repairable and for $1500+ I'm not replacing it. My phone works just fine.
#33
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
My cousin had her place burgled while she was away getting married. They stole all of her jewelry, her brother who died gold chain, other valuables. So it seems that someone on her social media found out she was away getting married and robbed the place.
Robin Roper 4 years ago
Same with funerals. I've stayed at several people's homes during visitations, services, and burials for this very purpose.
Seadog 2 months ago
Always have umbrella coverage on your homeowners for expensive items. It's not that expensive and replacing, especially compared to the replacement cost of some items. Most of these policies also covers loss of a stone from a setting which is much more likely to happen. Don't forget to have the items reappraised every 5 years or more often and update the policy. And shop around for insurance, be sure the coverage is sufficient. I had Nationwide for years. Checked Erie and discovered that even though Nationwide policy was replacement cost, the amounts were way off and insufficient. Erie covered everything at real value and cost less including the umbrella that I didn't have with Nationwide.
Whatshername 4 years ago (edited)
Always get a housesitter for a wedding or funeral from anyone on your address.
#34
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
We had a huge safe that takes 2-3 people to move. They broke into my house and flipped everything all over searching, but when they found the safe they left everything else and focused on taking that. I even had IPads and Rolex watches lying around in open. Point is, we kept the safe empty, would only keep a few fake pieces of jewelry in case there was ever a home invasion we could offer them something to take.
David carro 4 years ago
Yes, we left a 3000€ huge safe for them to steal, so i kept my 700€ ipad. Fiuuuuu!
Grant Barke 4 years ago
Imagine opening that and finding one massive gold block exactly the same size as the space inside of that safe. Good luck trying to haul that away.
#35
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Keep things locked solidly. Bar locks for Windows and sliding doors, shatter resistant film on all glass. solid door frames and solid door's. Locks on bedroom doors and solid door's. Don't leave tool's and secure the garage door. Dont hide keys. Thick curtains on Windows drawn House insurance covering robberies Plants under windows with thorns Don't advertise guns most robberies occur while you're working. You can't stop a determined person but most will leave for easier places. Also only dummies bring a gun and your tv can be replaced you can't be. Source a retired burglar who is 80 year's old
RandomHumanBean 4 years ago (edited)
you dont need to string together enough words to comment on every single post just to get upvotes.
Load More Replies...
#36
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
I had a malamute dog years ago, had another two later, but this was a particularly fluffy one. A friend had heard that it was possible to spin their fur, so I saved enough to knit several jumpers. Anyway, a burglar took stuff from our garage and this massive box of fur too, must've been quite a surprise.
#37
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Inside vacuum cleaner. We hid money in it and it got stolen with everything else in the house back in Syria. Edit: “thief” was the military forces that invaded the area not someone I know or someone desperate.
#38
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Don't try to hide something valuable like money inside of old boxes. When I was younger, I thought, that hide money inside of old headphones box would be great idea, because no one would expect to find them there. We lived in village, and we had to burn a furnace to keep house warm, and my mother almost put that headphone box with money inside of furnace, but they've just falled out on the floor.
Sleazy Weaver 4 years ago (edited)
Honestly, a HEADPHONES box would be tempting to steal too..... Especially if they're good quality headphones... That packaging would draw attention, & if they opened it to see if it was empty or not... Glad everything turned out okay though, with no robbers & no burned cash!
Lauren Caswell 4 years ago
Pls don't, it just draws attention to it. If you want to cover it, maybe just post a quick generic comment instead?
Load More Replies... 
Bryn 4 years ago
Yeah, that's what I was thinking. "This belongs to my kid... Well, time to burn it!
Load More Replies... Jedidja 4 years ago
not everyone here is a native speaker and might still be learning. Correcting someone is fine, but there's no need to act that mean.
Load More Replies...
#39
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
I heard a lot of people hide stuff in the air vents, is it searched usually?
Also, my mum used to hide what little valuables we had in a small space behind our washing machine, a really heavy one. Except if you knew it was there you couldn't know there was a space here, and that it was accessible.
She had to spend 10-15 minutes hiding stuff because it was really hard to access, so I guess that burglars wanting to do their thing as quickly as possible wouldn't spend time looking there.
kjorn 4 years ago
find a box of any sex toy and put valuable there. who would want to open the box of a used dildo?
M O'Connell 4 years ago
Frankly, certain sex toys are incredibly expensive and themselves would be worth stealing. Being used causes surprisingly little depreciation.
Load More Replies...
#40
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
We had our apartment burglarized. Guy kicked down the door, and apparently was in and out pretty quickly. I came home from work, and the cop told me, "Never leave valuables in your nightstand." Might have even said bottom drawer. Sure enough, mine were checked, i could tell because my envelopes were moved from where i placed them.
Nooberton 4 years ago
The American English term is burglarized. If you think otherwise, just shut up and leave.
Rissie 4 years ago
To burglarize is used in US English, to burgle in UK English. Checked the Cambridge dictionary for you.
Load More Replies...
#41
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Not a burglar, but honestly I would advice this; get good insurance coverage on things you value. If they want to come in, they'll find a way. No matter how well you think you protect your house, they will find an entry. It would be your best bet to cover all expensive items with insurance and MAKE SURE to always have either a cloud copy or a removable drive copy of important files/photo's that is not right next to your computer. This way, if they steal you computer, you'll still have the files.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
No matter how excellent your insurance is, you need to have proof that you owned that golden necklace covered with diamonds that you claim. So take pictures of all things that are valuable to you for the insurance.
Becky Samuel 4 years ago
Not just that, but they also want the picture with you or a family member named on the insurance in full shot and identifiable, and taken within the last two years. They know full well that nobody has time for all that kerfuffle, so they get away with turning down your claim.
Load More Replies...
Scott Andrews 4 years ago
They will find a way, if they have sufficient time and aren't worried about making noise. However, most burglars want to be quick and quiet. Therefore, if you make it difficult for them, they'll give up and go elsewhere. Remember that you have nothing in your house that they can't get from another house somewhere else.
#42
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
My mom always told me the best way to hide stuff is to put it in plain sight, so when she was trying to quit cigarettes I put the carton on top of a painting, right over the frame it took her 3 weeks to spot i
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Forgetting that a thief is not familiar in your house so everything hidden in plain sight will stick out like a sore thumb to them.
Whatshername 4 years ago
I've been hiding our children's gifts (for Sinterklaas) in a shopping bag next to a bag of bags. They've been there for over 2 weeks now, unwrapped. Kids still haven't seen anything 🤣
#43
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Don't leave your car unlocked on your driveway with a garage opener inside.
My Name Is Mars 4 years ago
This needs to be higher up! My mom got her car broken into about 8 years ago and the only thing taken was the garage door opener. My parents ended up getting a new, different brand opener installed out of an abundance of caution. It was an inconvenient mistake.
#44
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
If you have a garage sale at your house make sure to not have anything of value around and be vigilant in the days after. We were broken into two days after a garage sale, after living in the house 20+ years without a single incident.
#45
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
The medicine cabinet or bathroom. I'll just scoop all the drugs out into a bag.
My Name Is Mars 4 years ago
You shouldn't keep meds in a bathroom anyway. The moisture and heat from bathing can degrade pills.
Sleazy Weaver 4 years ago (edited)
Aren't the bottles made to be resistant to that sort of thing, seeing as most of the population keeps meds in the bathroom? Not saying you're wrong, just curious why this hasn't been fixed by now if it's a known issue.
Load More Replies...
Sheila Stamey 4 years ago
Most folks don't know that even antibiotics can be sold. Drug addicts are prone to infection for any number if regular and irregular reasons and antibiotics are hard to get to of you don't want a doctor to find out how you are living your life.
Chich 4 years ago
I have had some prescriptions that are *anything* but recreational. Anyone steals and takes them they are not going to be having a good time.
Lauren Caswell 4 years ago (edited)
Same 😂 none get you high but they could damn well kill you, and i keep them in my own containers as there are so many. How much do they trust the pill identifier on the net? Hmm is it gna get me high or make me bleed internally and stop producing stomach acid? Have fun burglar 😁
Load More Replies...
#46
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Fake rocks are a dead giveaway. Sock drawers are cliche. If you have a small safe that’s not bolted down we are taking that thing. We all have a “safe guy.” Our goal is to get in and out pretty quickly. If you hide something in a random box all the way up in your attic, it’s probably safe. Whatever you do, please don’t leave your damn kid at home.
howdylee 4 years ago
I'm guessing it's a Home Alone movie reference... :)
Load More Replies... fk2ydhrww4 6 days ago
But if you have an alarm system or a home automation system go ahead and put a door/window detector on the sock drawer. If it goes off while you’re not at home you know to call the police!
Kathy Pearlman 1 month ago
I have a planter full of rocks. Have something hidden in there. Although I live out in the middle of nowhere so nobody would really care to look for it - or anything else.
#47
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Serious question here. What about medications? I have to take quite a few. If someone stole them they wouldn't get them high, most likely cause them to OD or die quickly. I still worry about this though. I cannot go without each medication daily or it will put me in the hospital.
Penelope 4 years ago
If you’re worried that you’ll be without meds if they’re stolen: Don’t worry. Pharmacies can help with maintenance doses until you can get in to your PCP and get a new script. If you’re worried about the burglars od’ing in your meds: Also don’t. I am not heartless, but you absolutely don’t need to take extra precautions because some day some random burglar with a penchant for pills might possibly break in to your home, and then might possibly find your meds and might possibly decide that trying random drugs is a good idea.
cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
I was robbed of my prescription outside a pharmacy. I don't get all my meds in one lump sum because I can put in my repeat prescription online. D*ckhead pulled a knife and held out his hand and said, "Hand it over". He was wearing a dark grey hoody and a black mask. All I can tell you is young guy, brown eyes and white. I handed it over without hesitation, and he ran off... with my dispersible aspirin. The pharmacist came out and said he had called the police and remade my prescription. Quick statement. Told nothing could be done and the crook was an idiot
Lauren Caswell 4 years ago (edited)
Penelope is right, the pharmacy can help you with some meds until you get a new prescription sent to them. Also, I keep 1-2 weeks supply of critical daily medications in my emergency disaster kit stuff, so I have that as a back up (unless that gets stolen too lol)
#48
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Not a burglar but I feel like having 2 big 80lb dogs that will growl and bark if someone who isn't me or my girlfriend come to any window or door.
Seadog 2 months ago
Friend of mine had dogs of some kind (smaller than a border collie and furry like a border collie). They loved him but pretty much hated everyone else. They didn't mind his wife until the conditions of her presence changed, then they saw her as an outsider as well. She goes out one morning to get something out of the car (in the garage). When she goers to reenter the house, the dogs knock the door closed and won't let her in. So she goes out to go to front door and the dogs dang near came through the window to get her. So she walked to my house as no one else around was home. Barefoot and nothing on but her nightshirt. I gave her my robe and she called her hubby to come home and deal with the dogs. He came home and dragged them out, gun in hand. He couldn't do it but did get rid of the dogs a few days later. I don't care how nice dogs are, certain breeds are just a flip of the switch away from becoming killers. Those 2 dogs would have killed her if they could've gotten to her.
Lynn Morello 4 years ago
A work colleague, had his house set up that when they were out, anything or anyone who rattled the doors or windows would set of a very loud recording on a loop system, of Big Dogs, Barking and scrambling about. They have not been robbed yet, but have come home multiple times to the recordings going off.
#49
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Don’t leave stuff in your car. When I was in high school, we did our fair share of carhopping.
#50
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Someone will be in for a surprise if they open the safe I keep in my night stand. It’s full of my kids baby teeth.
Lauren Caswell 4 years ago
Ikr?! What maniac would keep something so precious as their child grows? Sentimental value is make believe
Load More Replies... #51
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Had my home burgled twice. Best place to hide jewelry is in the bottom hem of your curtains. Taking off a valuable ring before you shower but don't want to go all the way to your jewelry box hidey hole? Tuck them in the curtain hem. It's not a long term solution, but getting into the habit of keeping your good s**t out of plain sight will save you on the day someone breaks in. It is so easy to leave earrings/rings/bracelets laying around.
Kathy Pearlman 1 month ago
I've always wondered why bathrobes or night gowns have pockets. Like W*F do you NEED pockets for there?
Load More Replies... #52
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Your locks are almost always junk, especially those little lockboxes. If you have the tools and training, it only takes a few seconds to unlock it. That's true with padlocks as well...a good burglar can open a padlock almost as fast as if they had the key or combination. Never hide your valuables in a lazy location that is beyond obvious and simply trust that $5 lock to prevent anything. If you don't have a heavy, bolted safe, the most logical conclusion is that your valuables are very, very close to where it takes you the least effort to get to them (jewelry is all very close together where you get dressed, money is near the main work desk, prescriptions are in the medicine cabinet, recreational drugs are close to where you sleep, etc.) Think about it...no burglar is going into the basement into your can of screws, to your bag of corn in the freezer, or in the pantry Pringles can to find valuables. A good burglar knows that he needs to get the job done quickly with as little noise and wandering as possible. The bedroom and main work area are obvious locations. If they are quick and easy for you to get to from the place you use them, they aren't in a good location.
lara 4 years ago (edited)
We have a "gun safe." Why? We have no guns, but it was the biggest, heaviest safe we could find that did not need the walls taken down to put it in the house. It did take four guys with a huge "loader" to move it in and they almost had a heart attack when they saw that they would have to lower it eight inches into the office. And all we keep in it are documents, wills, pictures, birth certificates, deeds, business documents, etc. Everything else is kept off site. Why? Because we keep all the family records for the family. Too many have had house fires, or lost stuff moving, whatever, so now we keep everything. And they know it is safe. And yes, it is fire safe.
Seadog 2 months ago
Good of you to look aft that information. My parents are gone. I have info on my mothers family all the way back to the 1700's. My dads side? Nothing past my grandfather and very little past my grandmother is known to us.
Load More Replies... #53
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Watch the show It Takes a Thief...if you can find it. That'll give you some good ideas about this stuff.
#54
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Not a burglar, but our home has been broken into. We only had the one-bedroom at the time, but the places that the burglar looked into were: the closet (everything was thrown out), desk drawers (found a bit of cash and our passports were taken), the entry furniture (drawers), under the bed / bedside tables. At least now I know where not to hide valuables. Not that I have any.
Yup 4 years ago
The people who burgled our house were very disappointed there were no X-boxes etc. In spite they overturned every bookcase.
Seadog 2 months ago
Xbox? LOL, Look long enough and you'll find my Super Pong and 3 derelict Intellivision consoles, of which one works as long as you keep it on ice.
Load More Replies... #55
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
A safe. Also, almost all locks are bulls**t unless you had a locksmith put in security pins, but the robbers can just take the safe and figure it out later if time is an issue.
Becky Samuel 4 years ago
A safe is useless unless it's bolted down. Who on earth has a safe that can just be lifted?
Shine Caramia 4 years ago
I do. Although it's 41 pounds and mostly to protect from fire and water
Load More Replies... #56
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Inside one of those small lock boxes. It's great when you find one because there simple to open and if they don't have a wall safe then all of their main valuables and money are usually in it .. jackpot
#57
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
My mother has a closet filled with food supplies, boxes of bags of spices and such. There's at least 3 dozen such boxes at all times in said closet. ONE OF THEM, and she replaces it regularly so the expiration date remains relevant, she opens up carefully, fills with valuables, and then carefully closes back up. She had me try to find which one of the boxes it was. I genuinely couldn't tell from sight alone, only the slightly different heft tipped me off after 10 minutes. No burglar will ever find that stash.
#58
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
In unopened vehicles, dresser drawers, closet, under a mattress, in the cupboards over the sink. The only real safe place for valuables is in a standing or hidden safe. We look everywhere. Whenever I get my own place I'm going to have security cameras, and iron on my windows and doors and plenty of light outside my house.
Lynn Morello 4 years ago
The more High Tech security you have around your house, the more likely that you will be viewed as a candidate for a burglary.
#59
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
I was never a burglar per se but in my younger days I had a penchant for criminal mischief. (And a total inability to weigh the consequences of my actions, but that's a different story.) This isnt an answer to this direct question, but a pretty important word of advice: If you really want to protect your house from people breaking and entering, all you need is a BEWARE OF DOG sign... Alarm systems arent enough, as pretty much nobody bothers arming them. A Beware of Dog sign though, even if you dont have a dog, is a clear indication that this house is not easy prey, and the trespassers will move on.
Tracy Leonard 4 years ago
If you can't have a dog, in addition to the sign put a food bowl and filled water bowl in an easy to spot area. Hang a leash near the door, scatter some tennis balls around the yard as well as a used toys or two (Ask a friend who's got a large dog if you can trade their old ones for new). If you can, a dog house with an old blanket can't hurt.
Sleazy Weaver 4 years ago (edited)
"Oh, pet dishes? Are you getting a pet? What kind?" "A thief!"
Load More Replies... Seadog 2 months ago
Dogs. LOL. My son is a truck driver. He was at a truck stop and a lot lizard was going around. When she came to his truck, he pulled up large dogs barking on youtube, played it at full volume and shook the cab of the truck. She literally ran from his truck. Next day the guy beside him told him she kept waking him up knocking on his door every hour in the night. Son told him the dogs keep her away. The guy says "what dogs?" Son told him. Luckily, most places he has to park don't tolerate the lizards.
Lauren Caswell 4 years ago
Um, *over what? That is an incomplete sentence. Also, *Doesn't, as that word began your sentence. It needs to be capitalised. And that, dear panda, is the shoe on the other foot.
Load More Replies...
#60
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Not a burglar but learned this from my sister who would steel stuff from our mom while cleaning, if its in a place they can find it just by cleaning the maid style burglar will find it. Under the bed or a pillow. underneath the bag in the trashcan in the worst becuase even if its discovered missing thier is possible deniability. Also for the older not tech savy people do not hide money in the optical drive (aka where you put the CDs and DVDs) on your computer. Idk why my grandma thought that was a good hiding spot.
Seadog 2 months ago
More common is when a parent passes, whether the first or last, some siblings will raid the house while the rest are at the wake.
Load More Replies... RandomHumanBean 4 years ago
oh god, stop. it is just being pretentious and trying to get upvotes at this point. no one cares about a few minor spelling errors. you can correct large grammatical errors (nicely), but no one wants you to do that. it just makes you seem like a pretentious jerk with nothing else to do than sit around "fixing" people's spelling on bp. and i also think that this is from reddit or something like that, and in that case, they probably wouldnt see this anyways. so stop.
Load More Replies... #61
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Open garage is an easy one. People work in there garage all the time with the door wide open makes for an easy case. I can walk or drive by and see you have a couple dirt bikes, some nice tools on the wall and other miscellaneous goodies, chances are my former self will wait for you to leave. Some people have the audacity to even leave there garage door open overnight making it incredibly easy.
Pungent Sauce 4 years ago
Few things more disheartening than working around the house/yard all day, going in for a wash up and dinner, then coming out the next AM to the garage door you left wide open. ALWAYS do a perimeter check before bedtime.
Kathy Pearlman 1 month ago
My son-in-law always tells me to lock the garage door. The construction stuff he's left in there is worthless - and incredibly heavy. And they'd have to pass a Ring camera to get back to that door -which my Alexa yells to me about when anybody gets close to it.
#62
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Obligatory not a criminal in anyway But dont keep ur valuables in the freezer
#63
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
A woman tried to take my cat from the street. She picked her up and tries to walk away but kitty went bananas on her. Bet she won't be trying that again.
Pungent Sauce 4 years ago
Little neighbor girls swiped my elderly cat off the front porch one morning because he “looked abandoned”. Glad I’d noticed them casing the place all morning.
ethan kraner 4 years ago
step 1 in pet self defence training, give doge or cate a set of sharpened claws...
#64
Former-Burglars-Share-Tips-To-Avoid-Being-Robbed
Not a burglar or former burglar, but NEVER hide keys and lock combinations in a jar near the door or under your welcome mat. Also, if you purchase something big, like a tv or something big, never leave the box near your home. the burglar would see it and know you have something valuable in there. I know this sounds crazy, but mow your lawn frequently. it’ll show that you have been and had enough time to mow your lawn and that someone must be there it’s obvious, but only announce your trips when your finished so at first nobody knows your not there.
What do you think ?
oddkiddo 4 years ago
These posts says sooo much about how different societies are constructed. I live in Denmark and I don't know a single person who ever had their home broken into and burglarised. Not a single person with a safe. Or a gun. Not a single person who has been robbed in the street in Denmark. It terrifies me that political influence from abroad will change this as a result of not giving a s**t about your fellow human and letting the system get cracks big enough to fall through. Distribute wealth. Distribute safety.
Rusty Long 9 months ago
We had a piece of luggage stolen at the train station in Copenhagen, Denmark. We found out later that the train station is a hot spot for thieves.
Load More Replies... Mazer 4 years ago
We had a genius burglar who had a good run in our county. He picked the wealthiest neighborhoods (false sense of security), the most hit were McMansions. He would hike up onto the hills, use binoculars to see when residents left, then break in. If there was an alarm he would keep ransacking the place until the alarm company called to verify if the alarm was a false one or not. He would answer the phone using a child like voice, tell the alarm operator that “Mommy is in the bath, hold on, I will get her”, he would then finish up, pick up the phone and tell the operator “Mommy said to tell you the house is being burglarized”, then he would hang up and promptly leave. Took years to catch him. He had even purchased a home with his ill gotten gains.
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
Same around here. The gated communities have the highest rates of theft/break-entering. Minus the alarm company call part. The gates go about ten feet.... and then it's just a nice stroll down the road!
Load More Replies...
Cássio Bogdan 4 years ago
Why are you guys leaving ungodly amounts of money at your houses? Don't you have a bank or investments? Never heard about inflation?
madbakes 4 years ago
Some don't trust banks, especially those who lived through, or are children of people who lived through the Great Depression.
Load More Replies...
Chich 4 years ago
Get motion lights. Leaving a yard light on isn't a real deterrent and helps anyone to see as they wander around your yard and they may not even be noticed. However if a motion light kicks on people will look to see what made it do so. Have easy to spot realistic but fake cameras in areas that will likely make people avoiding them go past well hidden real ones.
Al Christensen 4 years ago
I rented a house with motion lights. They were always coming on. I'd jump up, filled with adrenalin, and peek out the windows to see if there was a prowler. It always either the wind blowing the bushes or a stray animal. I eventually disconnected them.
Load More Replies... Yort 4 years ago
Best place to hide your valuables is your butt. No burglar will think to look there. It’s a little hard to put your laptop there, but I believe in you!
Lauren Caswell 4 years ago
Whole new meaning to butt dial and booty call though 😁
Load More Replies... Monkey Love 4 years ago
My parent's tell a story about a guy who worked for us in the 80's. He was an ex-felon who's crew would fly to Hawaii every so often rob houses and then fly back to the mainland to get rid of the jewlery. They got caught because a guy in the crew decided to keep a ring. The thing that always stuck is they'd never go into a house with small dogs. Small dogs are loud and can hide under furniture and they can't get to them....big dogs, they broke their necks.
Scarlett 4 years ago
One easy way to avoid theft is have a small, crummy looking house in a neighborhood with bigger, far fancier houses. Never been broken into once. But I keep my valuables (basically the few pieces of real jewelry I have) in one of my old sneakers in my closet. I highly doubt a burglar’s going to want my old, dirty sneaker lol
Diolla 9 months ago
Slightly off topic but my main concern is always when I am traveling. Have been in many poor countries where hotel rooms are not safe for valuables and even room safes are not safe. In one place where I stayed the room safes were emptied because a staff member had a key. So I always look for other places to hide my stuff (f.e. cash because banks don't work there). On top of AC, under night stand, etc.. but the best place is in a small plastic bag inside my dirty laundry bag 😁
Craig Silberman 4 years ago
over half these are NOT places to hide, but advice on how to avoid break-ins, where not to hide, and things not to do; yet another Bored Panda headline that doesn't match the content
oddkiddo 4 years ago
These posts says sooo much about how different societies are constructed. I live in Denmark and I don't know a single person who ever had their home broken into and burglarised. Not a single person with a safe. Or a gun. Not a single person who has been robbed in the street in Denmark. It terrifies me that political influence from abroad will change this as a result of not giving a s**t about your fellow human and letting the system get cracks big enough to fall through. Distribute wealth. Distribute safety.
Rusty Long 9 months ago
We had a piece of luggage stolen at the train station in Copenhagen, Denmark. We found out later that the train station is a hot spot for thieves.
Load More Replies... Mazer 4 years ago
We had a genius burglar who had a good run in our county. He picked the wealthiest neighborhoods (false sense of security), the most hit were McMansions. He would hike up onto the hills, use binoculars to see when residents left, then break in. If there was an alarm he would keep ransacking the place until the alarm company called to verify if the alarm was a false one or not. He would answer the phone using a child like voice, tell the alarm operator that “Mommy is in the bath, hold on, I will get her”, he would then finish up, pick up the phone and tell the operator “Mommy said to tell you the house is being burglarized”, then he would hang up and promptly leave. Took years to catch him. He had even purchased a home with his ill gotten gains.
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
Same around here. The gated communities have the highest rates of theft/break-entering. Minus the alarm company call part. The gates go about ten feet.... and then it's just a nice stroll down the road!
Load More Replies... Cássio Bogdan 4 years ago
Why are you guys leaving ungodly amounts of money at your houses? Don't you have a bank or investments? Never heard about inflation?
madbakes 4 years ago
Some don't trust banks, especially those who lived through, or are children of people who lived through the Great Depression.
Load More Replies... Chich 4 years ago
Get motion lights. Leaving a yard light on isn't a real deterrent and helps anyone to see as they wander around your yard and they may not even be noticed. However if a motion light kicks on people will look to see what made it do so. Have easy to spot realistic but fake cameras in areas that will likely make people avoiding them go past well hidden real ones.
Al Christensen 4 years ago
I rented a house with motion lights. They were always coming on. I'd jump up, filled with adrenalin, and peek out the windows to see if there was a prowler. It always either the wind blowing the bushes or a stray animal. I eventually disconnected them.
Load More Replies... Yort 4 years ago
Best place to hide your valuables is your butt. No burglar will think to look there. It’s a little hard to put your laptop there, but I believe in you!
Lauren Caswell 4 years ago
Whole new meaning to butt dial and booty call though 😁
Load More Replies... Monkey Love 4 years ago
My parent's tell a story about a guy who worked for us in the 80's. He was an ex-felon who's crew would fly to Hawaii every so often rob houses and then fly back to the mainland to get rid of the jewlery. They got caught because a guy in the crew decided to keep a ring. The thing that always stuck is they'd never go into a house with small dogs. Small dogs are loud and can hide under furniture and they can't get to them....big dogs, they broke their necks.
Scarlett 4 years ago
One easy way to avoid theft is have a small, crummy looking house in a neighborhood with bigger, far fancier houses. Never been broken into once. But I keep my valuables (basically the few pieces of real jewelry I have) in one of my old sneakers in my closet. I highly doubt a burglar’s going to want my old, dirty sneaker lol
Diolla 9 months ago
Slightly off topic but my main concern is always when I am traveling. Have been in many poor countries where hotel rooms are not safe for valuables and even room safes are not safe. In one place where I stayed the room safes were emptied because a staff member had a key. So I always look for other places to hide my stuff (f.e. cash because banks don't work there). On top of AC, under night stand, etc.. but the best place is in a small plastic bag inside my dirty laundry bag 😁
Craig Silberman 4 years ago
over half these are NOT places to hide, but advice on how to avoid break-ins, where not to hide, and things not to do; yet another Bored Panda headline that doesn't match the content
Related on Bored Panda
