It turns out this is an old trick used by burglars.

In the gap near the lock they insert a coin or a piece of plastic. The trap is simple: if the door is opened, the item falls. But if it stays there for several days — it means the residents are absent, and the apartment becomes an ideal target.

How to protect yourself?

– Check the lock and the area around the door even in “quiet” neighborhoods.
– If you’re leaving for a long time, ask a neighbor to watch the apartment.

– Install a surveillance camera or at least a fake alarm.
– Pay attention to strange little details: papers, coins, unexplained marks.
– And most importantly — inspect your lock today.