After a long, exhausting day at work, all I wanted was to take off my shoes, collapse onto the couch, and maybe drift into a quick nap. I walked up to my front door, reached for my keys out of habit… and then froze.
Something odd caught my eye—a tiny coin wedged in the lock. It was so small it could have been missed entirely, but it definitely didn’t belong there. I live alone, and I knew for sure I hadn’t put it there.
At first, I brushed it off as a random prank or pure coincidence. But then a chill ran down my spine. What if it wasn’t?
I quickly pulled my hand away from the handle and followed my gut—I called the police. While I waited, I searched online… and what I found made my stomach drop.
It turns out this is an old trick used by burglars. They slip a coin—or even a thin piece of plastic—between the door and the frame near the lock. The idea is simple: if the coin falls out quickly, it means someone is home, opening and closing the door. But if it stays in place for days, they know the house is empty—and ready to be robbed.
It’s a subtle, almost invisible way to check if someone’s on vacation or away for business. And that’s how thieves pick their next target.
How to protect yourself:
- Always check your locks and door frames for anything unusual.
- If you’re away for a while, ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your place.
- Install a security camera or even a fake alarm.
- Notice small things—like bits of paper, coins, or strange marks near your entrance.
I still don’t know if someone was actually planning to rob me… but ever since that day, I’ve been far more cautious. And I suggest you do the same.
