A veteran crime reporter with over 30 years of experience has revealed common phrases burglars use when attempting to scout homes before a break-in. Lori Fullbright, who covers crime for Oklahoma's News on 6, shared these tactics in a popular TikTok video.
Fullbright explains that burglars often begin by knocking on a target's door to determine if anyone is home. If a homeowner speaks through the door, Fullbright advises against remaining silent, as this can signal an empty house and prompt the burglar to force entry. She stresses the importance of never opening the door to strangers, as it can put the homeowner in danger.
Instead, speaking through the door can deter burglars by indicating the house is occupied. However, this may lead them to employ alternative strategies to gain access or assess the property. One such tactic involves asking if a specific, unknown individual is at the residence. According to Fullbright, the correct response is to state that no one by that name lives there and to tell the person to leave. She further suggests that in such situations, calling 911 to report a suspicious person in the neighborhood is advisable.
Another common ruse involves burglars pretending to be searching for a lost dog. Fullbright counters this by directly confronting the individual, stating, "No you haven’t, you are knocking on doors trying to see if someone’s home so that if they are not, you can kick the door and break in and steal their stuff. Haven’t seen your dog, move along."
A third tactic involves masquerading as a mover attempting to locate a client's address. Fullbright notes that this pretense is often easily detectable due to the absence of a moving truck. Generally, she advises homeowners to be highly suspicious of anyone attempting to lure them outside.
Fullbright also noted that many burglars prefer to strike between Monday and Friday, from approximately 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., as they believe these hours are when most people are typically away from home. She highlighted the utility of security cameras, such as Ring doorbells, which allow homeowners to engage with visitors remotely, even when they are not physically present.