Cheap Way's to Catch a Thief at Your Own Risk

This must serve as a disclaimer: The following tips are only "tips"

. They do not constitute legal advice and every state has privacy laws which a citizen should learn before initiating any of the suggestions on this page.

There are some ways to tell if someone has invaded your "space so to speak" (Remember it may not tell you who!).

These things sometimes worked for a friend of this writers but again may not or will not constitute as a legal substitute for the sake of security.

This is an old trick. You take a piece of clear scotch tape and cut the tape but do not split it. The tape is almost invisible to the eye. Most folks read from left to right, so lets say if you put this piece of clear tape across a door, or a drawer keep it in mind. If anyone but you enters a room or quarters without your knowledge or you just have a suspicion, this may or may not help as "evidence." It may give you some piece of mind though. Your desk drawer has been rifled, and you see that the nearly split part of the tape is now split into two. One end of the tape may stick to the frame of the desk and the other a drawer. Again this may not be "proof."

Baby powder is an excellent way to see if someone other than you has been in your space. You can sprinkle it lightly lets say on the floor, and minus bugs or rats a print may be left. Not only that but if the room is disturbed powder is hard to remove, or clean. But remember powder may not be conducive for electronics or certain materials that would be damaged such as electronics or fabrics.

If you work in a store, these days and I feel for you if you do be aware of the fast talkers. They love to distract you and it gives a thief great opportunity if you have to run and find a manager. Take your time with any customer.

If you are at home and must leave for an hour or so grab a pair of mens work boot's (These cost next to nothing at a second hand store) Dirty them up a little bit, and place them near your front porch. Maybe grab a transistor radio; battery powered and leave some music on inside your home.

They have these sockets that can extend into a existing socket that are a dusk to dawn nature. Check with a knowledgeable person about these appliances first. When a standard bulb is screwed into these adapters, these bulbs will go off and on depending where the photo electronic window is toward sun light. Kids toys strewn about the rear yard, and maybe a junk bicycle in the front yard may serve as a deterrent. It is not really a great idea to tell "a neighbor you will be away a couple of days. Tell someone perhaps at your own discretion that you know and trust. If you give out your key come on do I really need to explain this? You might be the owner of the new brothel on your block when you get home. There are many ways to advance your existing expensive security with cheap ones.

I cannot depart without this story. You see a friend of this writer had a nosy neighbor, an intrusive one at that. So this friend of mine found one of these styro-foam wig hat, and slapped a cheap Halloween wig on it. Than the friend placed the fake head as wear a person would sit on his couch. The blinds open especially just a little at night from a distance looked like someone was sitting on the couch the whole time!

Security is expensive, and some of the suggestions here are more for peace of mind than crime gathering information. Nothing is guaranteed anymore and professional thieves no most of the tricks. That does not mean you must make it easy for a thief though. Get creative but stay legal.

Be safe & smart.