Most of us think we know how to keep our homes safe, but security is rarely as simple as it seems. We rely on habits like locking doors, hiding spare keys, or putting up signs, believing these steps are enough.

Yet, according to one expert, many of the things we do can actually help burglars instead of stopping them.

That revelation comes from Michael Fraser, a former burglar who now works as a security consultant.


Michael has turned his past into a way to help others, sharing the inside tricks criminals use. He works with police and companies, testing how homes and businesses hold up against real-world risks.

What he reveals is often unsettling, showing how easily break-ins can happen. In many cases, burglars don’t need sophisticated tools—they just need homeowners to make small mistakes.

One surprising method criminals use starts long before they reach your street. Real estate websites filled with virtual tours, floorplans, and garden images can act like an open invitation.

“I call it internet shopping,” Michael explained. “How many times when you look online at houses, you get a virtual tour of that property, so you know it inside out?”


Michael believes property sites should require a verified account or password for detailed tours. Without these barriers, burglars can map out rooms, windows, and even possible entry points.

A floorplan meant for buyers becomes a blueprint for theft. This new digital risk is one many families overlook when selling their home.

Even traditional deterrents can backfire. A “Beware of the Dog” sign, Michael says, can help burglars rather than scare them.

That’s because it often means the household avoids using motion sensors or alarms, which pets would trigger. For a thief, that sign suggests a house is easier to enter quietly.


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Michael also points to everyday mistakes that leave homes exposed. Keys hanging near doors or visible through windows can be hooked in seconds.

“A kitchen calendar gives away your summer plans. Keys left in the door or visible on hooks make their job even easier,” he warned. Installing a simple letterbox cage can block one of the easiest tricks burglars use.

Spare keys are another common problem. Roughly a third of people still hide them outside, often in obvious places like under mats or in garden pots.

But criminals know all the usual spots, and fresh soil or a moved pot is enough to give it away. Michael advises leaving spares only with a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor.


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Lock choice is just as important. Cylinder locks, which are still found on many doors, are weaker and easier to force open.

Michael recommends upgrading to deadlocks or more robust systems, which immediately make a property less attractive to criminals. Even this small change can significantly lower your risk.

Social media has also changed how burglars operate. Posting photos while on holiday may feel harmless, but it advertises that nobody is home.

Michael advises waiting until you return before sharing travel memories. Even something like ordering a taxi from your front door can reveal too much about your absence.


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The reality is that burglars look for patterns, and many of the signs come directly from homeowners.

Simple steps like closing blinds, hiding calendars, and avoiding oversharing online make a big difference.

Michael’s advice shows that security is less about expensive systems and more about awareness. The fewer clues you leave behind, the safer your home becomes.

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We’d love to hear your perspective: Have you ever experienced a break-in or spotted someone snooping around your property? What’s the best advice you’d give to neighbors to protect their homes? Share your experiences in the comments—your tips could be the lesson that keeps someone else safe.