Bump Keys By Bruce Wall MS ICPS City
Bump Keys By Bruce Wall, MS, ICPS City of Scottsdale
What Will Be Covered What is a Bump Key n Bump Keys & Tools n How they work n Why is this occurring now n Threat & Counter Measures n Impact n
What is a Bump Key A Bump Key or 999 Key is a lock picking device used to open pin tumbler locks such as Kwik-Set and Schlage n The technique is 50 years old n The term “bumping” is from Denmark in the 70’s n Bumping requires no skill n
What Does a Bump Key Look Like
Bump Key Nomenclature
About Bump Keys After practice, takes 30 minutes to make one with a file, 10 minutes with a Dremel, seconds with a key cutting machine n Need a different key for each lock type n Available on E-Bay as “Depth Key” n Set of 8 keys costs $30 – but can be purchased for as little as $8 n
Bump Key Tools Tomahawk is used for bumping n Can also use a screw driver, mallet or other device to strike the lock n The “Tomahawk”
How It Works
To Bump Insert key and remove one notch n Apply pressure to key n Hit the key with your bumping tool – may take more than one hit n Each key will wear out after approximately 200 bumps n Need a different key for each manufacturer n
Why Now? In April 2005, a Dutch television show revealed the technique n Videos started surfacing on the internet in 2006 n Television stations use Bump Keys as a story “You need to know about” n
What is the Threat? NO SIGN OF FORCED ENTRY n Any lock with vertical pin tumblers is at risk n Most residential homes are vulnerable n Most businesses are vulnerable n Most mail box locks are vulnerable n
Counter Measures Locks that resist bumping are already on the market n Most require a secondary element n The secondary element is usually horizontal to prevent gravity of bumping n Some are resistant, while a few claim to be bump proof n
Examples of Anti-Bump Keys n Assa n n Side-bit millings Bump resistant not proof
Examples of Anti-Bump Keys Assa n Schlage Primus n n Side-bit milling Resists bumping Same inventor as Assa
Examples of Anti-Bump Keys Assa n Schlage Primus n Mul-T-Lock n n n Telescoping pins Some reports of locks picked
Examples of Anti-Bump Keys Assa n Schlage Primus n Mul-T-Lock n Dom n n n Embedded ball bearing Bump proof
Examples of Anti-Bump Keys Assa n Schlage Primus n Mul-T-Lock n Dom n Eva n n n Uses sliders Bump proof
Impact for Multi-Housing Industry Cost to landlord to install ‘anti-bump key” locks n One company sells a “bump key proof” single cylinder dead bolt for $130 per lock n Larger apartment communities may have to use key cards like hotels and deal with the hassles n
Impact for Law Enforcement Officers need training to recognize bump keys and the tomahawk or other tool when contacting suspects n If responding to a reported burglary without signs of forced entry be aware of bump keys n Notify detectives if you respond to repeated burglaries without signs of forced entry n
Sources n n n Security “Opening Lock by Bumping in 5 Seconds or Less” www. security. org Snopes “Bump Keys” www. snopes. com The Open Organization of Lockpickers (TOOOL) “Bumping Locks” www. toool. nl Wikipedia “Lock Bumping” www. wikipedia. org City of Scottsdale Neighborhood Safety www. scottsdaleaz. gov/safety
Any Questions? n Bruce Wall 480 -312 -7787 or bwall@scottsdaleaz. gov
- Slides: 22