Your home should be a place of safety. However, when suspicious individuals begin lingering around watching you and your house, it might be a sign that they are planning a heist. Criminals and thieves often stake out potential targets to learn about their victims and habits. But sometimes you don’t know you are being watched. Here are 10 signs that someone might be watching you and your house. Perhaps it’s time to get a dog or beef up your home security.
Marked Property
One way thieves can communicate is by marking a target. Some criminals will mark a symbol on or near the surveilled house. If you find a chalk mark or spray paint tag, it might indicate that criminals are actively staking out your home. They may be waiting for the right time to break in and steal your possessions. Keep a lookout for suspicious people.
Tampered Security Systems
Security cameras work best when they are in perfect working order. If you notice that your surveillance system has been tampered with, it may indicate that someone is watching you and your home. With the cameras down, thieves can freely scope the area without being detected. Check your system. If someone has been messing with it, such as covering the camera or snipping wires, someone might be planning to rob your house. Be sure to check your equipment regularly.
Disappearing Trash
In TV shows, detectives who go through trash obtain a profile on a suspect. If your trash has been disappearing, it could mean someone is doing the same. Thieves may go through your trash to learn more about your habits. It may be difficult to determine whether someone is taking your trash to sift through it or if your neighborhood has many raccoons. Although this is less common, other clues in combination could mean someone might be watching you.
Unusual Vehicle
Another clue that someone might be watching you and your house is the presence of unfamiliar vehicles. If you notice that there have been strange cars parked across the street or the same car that drives down your block every night, it could indicate that someone is scoping out your home. Thieves may be trying to find the opportune time to break into your house and steal your possessions. If a suspicious vehicle keeps showing up, you might ask the police to monitor your neighborhood.
Changes in Your Routine
One way to find out if anyone is watching your home is to break your routine. Maybe you leave the house for work at 9 a.m. and usually don’t return until 5 p.m. If you leave work earlier than usual and notice people loitering nearby or a strange car parked outside, it may indicate that someone is trying to make a move on your house. They may be looking for the right moment to break in and rob you. You can switch up your routine just to be sure.
Strangers Loitering
Do you see people standing across from your house, just hanging around? This could indicate that they are staking out your place. Thieves will often watch your home and observe your habits, such as when you usually leave the house. They could be planning the best time to break in and steal your possessions. If you continuously see suspicious people loitering near your place, you might want to ask the police to drive by occasionally.
Person with Camera or Binoculars
If you see someone actively watching you and your house with a camera or binoculars, it is quite obvious that they are monitoring you. Thieves will want to surveil you and your place to determine the right time to strike. If you see someone doing this, call the police and have them check it out. Hopefully, it’s just a bird watcher, but you can never be too cautious.
Door-To-Door Visits
If solicitors do not ordinarily visit your home, you might be concerned if people suddenly appear on your doorstep. Thieves may be disguised, posing as utility workers asking to inspect your furnace, but are trying to scope out your home. You could put up a sign that says, “No solicitors.” Hopefully, that will deter others from ringing your doorbell.
Tampered Outside Lights
Your outside lights are one of the best ways to protect your home at night. No one will mess with your home in the dark if it is well lit. That’s why it should be concerning if your lights have been tampered with. They could be broken or blocked out, making it dark and easy for someone to lurk. If you notice your lights are broken, get them fixed right away. And if it keeps happening, you might want to ask the police to patrol your neighborhood.
Broken Window
A broken window might indicate that someone has broken into your home. You may notice that some of your possessions are missing. Be alert and cautious; the intruder could still be in your home. Be sure that you have protection in case of an intruder. Call the police right away. If broken windows keep occurring, it could mean you have frequent unwelcome visitors.
