Company Copying Keys Could Be New Tool For Tulsa Criminals

Technology is unlocking a high-tech way for criminals to get into your home. It allows you to take a picture of a key then get an actual copy mailed to you in a matter of days.

I decided to test the company for myself on some unsuspecting co-workers. The results that I got were surprising, and should come as a warning to all of us.

Getting a key mailed to you without ever having the original in your hand might be a pretty convenient service for homeowners and landlords, but, it could also be misused

One company says they can copy a key just by looking at pictures, but they don't require anyone to prove it's their key.

When my first unsuspecting co-worker, Mishelle, walked away from her desk I was able to find her house key and take a picture of both sides before she came back.

Once I had what I needed, I sent the images to the online business to get the key made. I emailed the pictures, paid six dollars and waited to hear back.

Once my first mission was accomplished, I decided to it on another co-worker, Kathy Davidson.

When she left her desk, I did the same thing – found her key, took pictures and emailed them off.

The company analyzes the images, and if it's good enough to copy, they'll make one the very same day and send it.

A few days later, both keys arrive in the mail, and I go try and break into the houses.

Lori: "This is the key. Does it look like yours?"
Mishelle: "Yes."
Lori: "Are you nervous?"
Mishelle: "A little bit, yes."

The website promises its keys even work better than the originals.

Lori: "We're going to see if we can get into your house. I am in your house, look at your face."
Mishelle: "Oh my gosh."

With a turn of the copied key, I entered her house.

Lori: "What do you think of that?"
Mishelle: "I think that is amazing and scary. So scary."

The company's website claims it does have security in place.

It requires you to use a credit card, which leaves a paper trail of who ordered the key.

They also require a picture of both the front and back of the key, but I had no problem finding lots of people leaving their keys sitting around unattended.

Lori: "You could come home and I could have everything cleaned out and I didn't even have to kick in your front door."
Mishelle: "That is ridiculous."

If a person used a stolen credit card to order the key, there would be no way to track the buyer since the website doesn't require people to give any form of ID or even prove you own the keys you want copied.

After I broke into Mishelle's home, I gave my second copied key a try.

Lori: "What do you think will happen?"
Kathy Davidson: "I don't know. I just hope it doesn't work."

Everyone wants to feel their house is secure once the doors are locked.

Lori: "Are you nervous?"
Kathy: "Yes, very much so. Oh Lord."

Just like the first key, my copy of Kathy's was able to open her door wide open.

Lori: "I am in your house. What do you think about that?"
Kathy: "That just drives me insane."

Police say it's one more tool criminals can use to accomplish their goal, and one more thing the rest of us need to guard against.

Kathy: "That is just crazy. So, what can I do to make sure that doesn't happen?"
Lori: "I guess always take care of your keys. You've always got to know where your keys are."

That is the bottom line, you have to treat your keys like your other personal information - keep them hidden, don't lay them on your desk or on a restaurant table and walk off to the bathroom or set them store counter when you're paying.

When I sent in pictures of four different keys in a matter of minutes to the company I flagged their security system and they said they wouldn't send me the keys unless I sent a picture of someone holding them.

However, when I sent pictures in one at a time, I had no problems. The company's owner said he thinks the technology is magical and they fully cooperate with law enforcement if needed.