BLUF: Observe signs that reveal your house or neighborhood are under surveillance. Here are 6 cues that might mean you’re a target.
》Unfamiliar Vehicles: Take notice of the cars your neighbors drive so you can detect unfamiliar cars. If the vehicle parks road side for an extended period of time or repeatedly drives by on an irregular basis, consider it a cue.
》Unknown persons in the area: Take note of all strangers pretending to be jogging in the street or walking back and forth. This goes back to knowing your neighbors. Does this person park down the block, go for a “run” then leave in their vehicle? Engage in friendly conversation and ask if the person just moved in and where. If they are a new friendly face, they will likely engage in the conversation, you can welcome them to the neighborhood and move on. If not, you will likely get disjointed and odd responses. Strangers who take pictures and then walk away should also be taken notice of as a cue.
》Requests for Help: Consider it suspicious if someone comes to the door asking to use the bathroom or help them find their lost puppy. If you let them in, they will get the lay of the house and look around for ways to quickly deprive you of your personal possessions. Often, if they have nefarious intentions, they will stop by during the hours that no one is likely to be home (mid-morning to mid-afternoon). They could also attempt to draw you away from the house to check your backyard while an accomplice raids your home.
》Door-to-door Soliciting: Door-to-door sales or charity visitations can be used as a cover for a fraud/scam or to collect additional intel about you or the security of your residence. Coming to your door alerts a criminal to the presence of door cams, dogs in the house, lighting, etc. It gives them a peek inside the house and allows for questions to be asked that could result in you divulging your work schedule or how many people reside with you.
》Flyers and Handouts: Burglars will often scout potential targets for theft by using the cover of placing a flyer in your front door for yard work or carpet cleaning services. This let’s them approach your house and collect similar information as they would in the solution example. Additionally, they can revisit the house the next day to see if the flyer was removed to determine if you’re home or away.
》Curious Markings: Professional burglars often mark potential targets while canvassing your neighborhood by using seemingly random symbols in which signify meanings such as “valuables inside”, “works nightshift”, or “no alarm system.” If you see strange markings or signs anywhere (mailbox, driveway) that seem out of place, you may be a target. Also note that the government has been known to use mailbox marking in emergency declaration scenarios. The sticker on the above picture mailbox is similar to those used by FEMA.
This article was originally written by the Grayman Briefing. Stay in the know, sign up for Intel and Situational Awareness alerts pushed to your phone on emerging threats and preparedness warnings. Click HERE to subscribe to the Grayman Briefing.