Los Angeles Locksmiths Warn Local Businesses About “Duplicate Key” Burglaries

Think you’re the only person with the keys to your business? Think again. Every commercial locksmith in Los Angeles can tell you a horror story or two about clients who lost hundreds of thousands of dollars because they mistakenly believed they had complete control of every to key to every lock at their business. Authorities report that illegally duplicated keys are now being used in 30% of business thefts and burglaries. The sad fact is that many of these crimes are perpetrated by a “trusted” current staff member or a recently terminated employee.

Even business owners who try to take every precaution can fall victim to a ‘duplicate key’ burglary if they let their guard down even for a minute. Anyone who has ever left their keys unattended on a desk or loaned them to someone “for a second” because they needed to retrieve something from back in the secured area has given a potential criminal the perfect opportunity to surreptitiously make a duplicate set of keys. Don’t think you’re protected by merely stamping “Do Not Duplicate” on your key. Studies show that unauthorized copies of keys are regularly made by clerks at discount hardware stores who either ignore or miss the “no copy” stamp.

You might think that the best way to significantly upgrade the quality of security at your business is by investing in an expensive Electronic Access Control (EAC) System that tracks everyone’s comings and goings. While EACs have many advantages, your money would be better spent, at least initially, by purchasing a commercial-grade high-security key system that guarantees business owners the highest level of key control. These patented key systems provide greater security because their keys can only be copied by a manufacturer-certified licensed locksmith who has received and verified a “secret” authorization code from the business owner. In addition to providing patented key control, these state-of-the-art key systems are drill-proof and virtually impossible to pick. They are manufactured by industry leading commercial security companies likeMul-T-Lock and Medeco, and sold only by manufacturer-approved locksmiths like LA’s own Fidelity Locksmith Services.

Despite what some locksmiths may tell you, not all high-security key systems are created equal. Before purchasing one, make sure it offers:

• Patented keys
• Manufacturer control over the availability of keys and blanks
• A UL437 listing
• A flexible master keyring
• Different levels of authorization and exclusivity
• Unique, geographically exclusive key shapes for increased key control

If you have any questions about about how to best protect your business, contact Southern California’s leading commercial locksmiths: Fidelity Locksmith Services. Serving Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange County since 1975, our locksmiths are state licensed, bonded, and insured. Everything we do comes with a 100% customer satisfaction guaranty.