I came home after a long, exhausting day at work, completely knackered—all I wanted was to kick off my shoes, collapse onto the sofa, and maybe even doze off for a bit. As I reached for my keys to unlock the door, something odd caught my eye.
Stuck in the lock was a tiny coin—small, almost unnoticeable, but definitely out of place. I live alone, and I knew I hadn’t left anything like that there. At first, I thought it might be a weird coincidence or some daft prank, but then a chill ran down my spine—what if it wasn’t an accident?
I jerked my hand away from the door handle and did the first thing that came to mind—rang the police. While waiting, I frantically searched online and stumbled upon something terrifying… 😱😱 If you ever spot something like this, be on your guard. 😲 More details below. 👇👇
Turns out, it’s an old trick used by burglars and con artists. They slip a coin (or a sliver of plastic) between the door and the frame, usually near the lock.
The idea’s simple: if you’re home, you’ll open and close the door, and the coin will fall out. But if it stays in place for days, it means no one’s around—making your place an easy target.
It’s a quiet, nearly invisible way for thieves to check if someone’s gone on holiday or a business trip. That’s how they pick their next mark.
⚠️ How to stay safe:
Always check your locks and door gaps, even if you live in a safe neighbourhood.
Going away for a while? Ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your place.
Install a security camera or even a dummy alarm.
Pay attention to any odd details near your door—scraps of paper, coins, unusual marks.
I still don’t know if someone was actually planning to rob my flat… but ever since, I’ve been a lot more careful. And I’d advise you to do the same.
Check your locks. Right now.
