Bummed out on lock bumping

They say that if a burglar really wants to break into your house he'll find a way.  That shouldn't stop us from throwing roadblocks in the way, and we all want to think that our stuff is little bit more secure if we've locked the doors.

In the old days burglars would take a crowbar, wedge it between the door and the jam and pry enough so that the bolt slips out of the jam.  But any burglar who has an internet connection or who has spent a little time in a correctional facility will know how to make a bump key.

A bump key is a key made from a blank with some uniform file cuts in it.  The burglar simply sticks it into the lock and gives it a good rap with a screw driver handle, and the key opens the lock.  You can see it demonstrated at this youtube video, and here's another one with an animation showing what's going on inside the lock.

What's depressing about this is that few lock manufacturers will even acknowledge the problem.  Use lock manufacturers' search engines to see what the word "bump" pulls up, and at Schlage and Kwikset there's nothing.  They are either oblivious of the problem, or they want to avoid the issue.  Which do you think it is?

Of note here is the disclaimer found on the instruction sheet of a Schlage lock which says in all caps:

IN NO EVENT SHALL SCHLAGE BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE SALE OR USE OF THE PRODUCT.

Therefore, if someone bumped open a lock and cleaned out a house then if the homeowner could prove that the lock was bumped he/she might be able to get back the price of the lock.

Contrast that with Medeco which appears to be the only lock manufacturer that has addressed the problem.  And they say their locks can't be bumped.  Watch their video here.  Of course that's just an invitation for people to  try, and there's a disagreement now between Medeco and some lock hackers who claim to have bumped open one those locks.

And here's another catch:  Medeco locks cost three times the cost of a Schlage or Kwikset.  And they are not that readily available.  According to their website dealer locator there is only one Medeco dealer within 25 miles of me.  And that dealer told me this morning that it would take three or four weeks to get one.

But you know what?  Even with all of this high tech lock picking, the old crowbar is still probably a quicker and more reliable illegal entry system.

Comments

[Janie]

Good to know, thanks for sharing, George!

[Dave Jabas]

George,

If you would like some information about bump proof locks, I would be happy to provide you with an article on the Bilock high security cylinder. I am a locksmith with 31 years in the business and we have an online store providing consumers the opportunity to purchase Bilock bump proof locks online. You may contact me by e-mail or give me a call. 800-508-6889.

Dave Jabas

[Geo]

Dave, that's very interesting. I might be in touch.

[Lock Bumping]

Lock bumping becomes even more of an issue when you try to claim losses on your insurance because there is no sign of forced entry and insurance providers can assume the door was left unlocked. This happened to my friend. Anti-bump locks are the best solution to the lock bumping fiasco -- google it.

[Windy Wilson]

And here I thought Schlage and Kwikset were good locks.

I'm unclear on something though. When the lock is bumped, the key turns it and the door opens -- Are deadbolts then bumpable?

[Geo]

Windy, the characters in those videos don't seem to have any trouble bumping a deadbolt. The animated video demonstrates that if the tumblers are jostled just enough then they get lifted above the blockout point. The lock then can be opened. They may be able to relock them with the bump key, but why bother? It then appears as if the owner left it unlocked.

[beachdude]

Public service site about lock bumping!

http://lockbumping.org