Getting a house broken into is a frightening prospect for anyone: in moment’s, some of your most important belongings could be gone. Worse still is the risk of harm to yourself or loved ones. We understand the feeling, especially when the intuitive thought that someone is watching kicks in.
It’s not always blind paranoia because burglaries are rampant. The good news is that you don’t have to become a slave to the fear of being burglarized.
In this guide, learn the seven signs your house is marked by burglars and how to take immediate action.
Casing a House
Casing a house describes a burglar’s preliminary actions before breaking into a property. It’s similar to gathering intelligence: the best time to strike, the most convenient entry point, valuables to loot, etc.
Table of Contents
7 Signs Your House is Being Watched
Contrary to what Hollywood movies would suggest, real-world burglars prefer to prowl during the day to attempt to appear more inconspicuous.
So, how could one tell if a burglar has an eye on their property? Here’s seven signs worth watching out for.
1. Ads, Stickers, and Flyers
Advertising and marketing flyers at the door or in mailboxes might seem harmless. However, these can be signs of burglary casing if they start cropping up suddenly.
AlfredCamera users reported that they experienced burglars putting stickers on mailboxes of the houses in their neighborhood that they wanted to target, the stickers acting as marks.
2. Strange Markings
Burglars often “mark” their target. Homeowners might see unusual markings, such as a streak of spray paint on the wall, a glob of ordinary paint on the fence, or a rope tied around a fence post or lamppost.
Some crooks can be a bit more creative:
‘Burglars have a sort of symbol language to tell other burglars about your house. For example, “old woman lives here,” or something.’
viktorlogi (Reddit user)
3. Unfamiliar People and Cars on the Street
It’s normal for people to park cars on the street in front of their property. But unfamiliar vehicles parked outside of specific properties time and time again can raise an alarm.
More troubling is noticing an unfamiliar vehicle roll down the road slower than other vehicles outside specific houses. It is also suspicious if the car decelerates or stops briefly in front of the property.
One person posted an experience on Reddit describing how an unfamiliar vehicle is a possible sign of burglary casing.
‘I’ve also spotted a random white van outside of our very quiet street around an hour before this man and remember asking what it was doing here as it didn’t seem to be delivering any parcels.’
Curiously-peculiar
The same experience was echoed by another Reddit user.
‘If you can identify a pattern of behavior that’s surrounding your house, i.e., someone shows up late every night in the same car, parks across the street, but doesn’t get out. Someone’s house is getting cased on that street.’
Jonwbrown243
4. Request for Emergency Assistance
A neighbor asking for help is one thing. A stranger knocking on somebody else’s door to request assistance is a different story.
Burglars will find ways to scout the target property’s interior and check what they can loot during the most favorable time, or if there have been other kinds of signs previously, it may even be the attempt to break-in.
5. Unlocked Doors and Windows
One of the tell-tale signs of a house getting cased for burglary is noticing open windows and doors that had previously been locked.
Burglars employ this technique to make such occurrences seem normal to homeowners, increasing the chance of breaking into the house without the occupants noticing it.
‘There were a couple signs: (1) a few days before it happened, we found windows randomly unlocked or ajar throughout the house, and (2) one day, our front door was left wide open…. Unfortunately, we didn’t realize the signs were signs. We just thought they were off occurrences or something.‘
redcoatwright (Reddit user)
Other signs someone was in your house include unfamiliar footprints, out-of-place items, and littering.
6. Broken Outdoor Lights
Nighttime house break-ins are fewer than daytime ones, as shared by this Reddit user.
‘Many of my jobs took place at 12 in the afternoon. Not many are home at that time.”
formerburgles
One of the signs of a potential nighttime break-in is broken outdoor lights. You might find wirings cut off or lighting fixtures broken to make breaking in easier.’
7. Increased Door-to-Door Activities
Although burglary is sometimes a crime of opportunity, some crooks will plan their heist by surveilling a target property through the mask of a door-to-door worker: salespeople, survey takers, utility personnel, and other non-threatening people.
These burglars will go house to house to determine who lives there, what valuables to steal, and the best time to break in.
5 Immediate Actions to Take
Here are five things to do immediately should there be clear signs that burglars are marking your house as the next target.
1. Record the observations
Note the days and times of the questionable activity. If this involves a vehicle patrolling a certain area, make a note of the vehicle make and model and the appearance and behavior of the suspicious people.
Pro Tips
Position your security camera towards your driveway or through a second-floor window to observe the street. Enable motion detection, and it will notify connected phones when movement is detected. You can take the necessary actions after that.
2. Inform law enforcement authorities
Report observations to the local police and request increased law enforcement visibility in the area. Burglars are less likely to carry out their plans if they see patrol cars in the neighborhood.
3. Notify neighbors
Informing neighbors enables them to become more vigilant about suspicious people, vehicles, and activities in the community. Having many pairs of eyes on the lookout for troublemakers is better than shouldering the task alone.
4. Install or reinforce the home security system
Smart lighting fixtures with motion detection sensors are excellent tools for deterring burglars.
Advanced security cameras with infrared night vision, motion sensing, and other cutting-edge technologies can also increase burglary prevention.
5. Find other ways to prevent break-ins
Another common method is getting a large dog to scare off burglars. Most homeowners have a Bullmastiff, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Komondor, or any of the canine world’s best guard dogs.
Modifying and reinforcing door and window locks will also help, and so does securing other potential entry points.
3 Best Ways to Reduce Chances of Being Targeted
Though it can sometimes feel otherwise, it is possible to take steps to reduce the likelihood of being targeted. Check out the following three methods to reduce the chances of being the next burglary target.
1. Security Camera
Advanced video surveillance and security systems can make homes 300% safer against burglaries than residences without such technologies.
After all, what crook would want a video record of their criminal activities? Opt for a security camera with wireless connectivity, motion detection, infrared night vision, and other high-tech capabilities.
AlfredCam Overview
Ready to take the plunge and invest in your first security camera? With motion detection, night vision, and a remarkably easy user experience, AlfredCam is a no-brainer for a first-time security camera user. Read our in-depth overview of AlfredCam to decide for yourself.
AlfredCamera is available for free on the App Store and Google Play Store.
2. Smart Lighting
Although floodlights can deter some burglars, it’s not a catch-all preventative measure. Smart lighting fixtures, on the other hand, can mimic the presence of someone inside the house through schedules.
These devices dim without movement and brighten when it detects motion within a predetermined area.
Different kinds of automatic lighting are associated with potentially reducing the risk of burglary. Discover how motion detector lights can work for you, or check out how the incorporation of a floodlight onto a security camera can help make up for reduced lighting on the outside of a property.
3. Smart Alarm
Security alarm systems connected to intelligent lighting fixtures and security cameras can reduce the likelihood of burglary. An intruder might run away if the technology activates an ear-splitting siren.
More importantly, the noise will draw neighbors’ attention. For instance, AlfredCamera offers Siren to “scare” burglars and “alert” the neighborhood.
Curious about the machinations of alarm systems? Take a closer look at how security alarms work, and find out what the different types are.
AlfredCamera: A Free Way to Increase Home Security
Installing a security camera system remains the best deterrent against burglars and the most proactive way to avoid having a house be targeted.
Setting up a dependable video security and surveillance network could be costly, given the hardware and software requirements.
AlfredCamera is a home security app available on iOS and Android devices that empowers users by converting their spare smartphones into high-tech security cameras (without any of the associated costs).
You’ll enjoy push notifications, motion detection, 24/7 coverage, and other intelligent features to improve home security.
‘I recently updated my phone and watched a video that showed how to use your old phone as a security camera. The video recommended (Alfred) I downloaded the app and setup was very user friendly now I want to add a second phone. Sure beats some expensive alternatives I told more than a few friends. Nice way to check on pets or elderly. I also like the microphone and alarm you can use remotely.’
One AlfredCamera user
FAQ
How can you tell if someone is marking your house?
Anything out-of-the-ordinary should tell you if someone is marking your house. It can include strangers walking around the neighborhood suspiciously, or unfamiliar vehicles parked outside a home that doesn’t belong to the driver. Some burglars mark a target with stickers or fake flyers. They might knock on the door and find an excuse to interact under the guise of a door-to-door salesperson.
What do burglars use to mark houses?
Burglars can use any marking tool to “paint” a target house. It could be as simple as chalk, a string tied to a tree branch or lamppost, a smear of paint, or blue or white spray paint.
Does leaving a light on at night deter burglars?
Yes, leaving a light on at night may deter burglars. A KGW8 survey revealed that burglaries are usually a crime of opportunity. Keeping the lights on might or might not deter burglars, depending on how they assess the situation. The best way to deter burglars using lights is to mimic the lighting conditions of an occupied house through scheduled smart lighting and choosing to keep the lights off in certain rooms.
What time of night do most burglaries occur?
The FBI says that most burglaries happen between ten in the morning and three in the afternoon, contrary to the assumption that they only happen at night. A KGW8 News survey showed that most burglars prefer breaking into homes between 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM.
What type of houses do burglars target?
The UK’s Metropolitan Police Service says burglars look for houses with exploitable features, such as open doors and windows, cracked eaves, loose roof tiles, zero home security systems, and structural vulnerabilities.
On the other hand, Quora member, Memorial for John Arnold, said houses in economically-challenged communities are targets because of increased access. Other potential targets are homes with many hiding places (i.e., trees, sheds, tall bushes). Isolated homes are also more vulnerable to break-ins.
Meanwhile, townhouses, residences in a cul-de-sac, and homes in the middle of a neighborhood block make better targets for burglars.
Where do burglars usually break in?
More than a third (34%) of burglars break in through the front door. 23% break in through first-floor windows, while 22% use the backdoor. About 9% slide under a slightly open garage door, 6% will break in through other unlocked openings, and 4% will pass through the basement. Only 2% will gain access via second-floor windows.
In light of these stats, check out these suggestions as to where to install home security cameras.
Where do robbers look first?
Burglars look at the master bedroom first, checking under the mattress, inside the bedroom closet, and in dresser drawers. Portable safes will be targeted. If the master bedroom is inaccessible, burglars head to the home office or study room before checking the living room and kitchen.
What to do if someone is outside your house at night?
If there is someone outside your house at night, it’s best to ascertain the situation by listening more intently for unusual sounds or by watching on a security camera. Do not attempt to confront them. Stay calm and assess your options about the possibility of escape, or hide in a safe place and lock the door behind you. Keep a phone on you.
Don’t make any unnecessary noise and call the police. Speak as quietly as possible while supplying the police with all the required information. Remember to follow whatever instructions the police provide. Take note of all observations because they can be handy in an official police investigation.
A home security camera that features a two-way talk could also help deter loiterers, alongside a siren to scare intruders or burglars away.
Conclusion
Learning the different signs your house might be the next burglary target is vital to determining the necessary courses of action. Security cameras and smart lighting fixtures that are part of a smart alarm system should give peace of mind against potential home intruders.
Recommended reading:
What to Do If Someone is in Your House When Home Alone
How To Prevent Home Invasion: 5 Essential Ways
10 Inexpensive Tricks to Secure Your Back Door from Break-ins
Porch Pirates: 5 Ways to Stop It From Happening to You