A seasoned crime reporter is warning homeowners about specific phrases burglars may use when attempting to scout properties for potential break-ins. Lori Fullbright, a news anchor with more than three decades of experience covering crime, shared these insights in a video that has gained traction on TikTok.
Fullbright explained that burglars often knock on doors to determine if anyone is home before attempting to enter a property. She identified three common phrases these individuals might use when someone answers the door, either in person or via a security camera.
One frequent tactic involves the stranger asking if a specific person, whom the resident does not know, is present at the address. Fullbright advises responding that no one by that name lives there and encouraging the person to leave. She suggested that if this occurs, residents should consider contacting emergency services and reporting a suspicious individual in the neighborhood.
Another phrase burglars might employ is claiming to be looking for a lost dog. According to Fullbright, this is a ruse to gauge occupancy. "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," she stated.
A third scenario involves pretending to be from a moving company and searching for the correct address for a client. Fullbright recommends verifying such claims by looking for a moving truck or other evidence that supports their story before engaging further.
Fullbright emphasized the importance of never revealing to a stranger that the house is empty, as burglars often target unoccupied homes. She also advised that even when not home, speaking through a Ring camera can create the impression that someone is present. If a resident is home, Fullbright stressed never opening the door to unknown individuals and being wary of anyone trying to lure them outside.
In related advice, another safety expert, Robin, known online as @dutchintheusa, noted that burglars often look for homes that are dark with no exterior lighting, lack visible security cameras or signs, and do not have dogs.