Home Depot shoppers warned — if you purchased this popular item, your security could be at risk, expert claims
A home inspector's viral warning has homeowners rattling their doorknobs — and their nerves.
TikTokker and self-proclaimed safety sleuth Scott Lubik (@scottlubik) claimed that if you bought your door locks from Home Depot or Lowe's, 'your keys to your place will open your neighbor's door.'
Say what now?
Advertisement
In the trending video, which has racked up over 59,000 views, Lubik dropped what he called a 'well-kept secret.'
'There are only five different locking configurations, meaning that every fifth set that they sell has the same exact key,' Lubik alleged.
Advertisement
'This is a well-kept secret, but I'm a home inspector and a realtor, so I know this just from buying and flipping houses.'
So, if your block went on a Home Depot run the day you moved in, there's a chance your key might be the neighborhood skeleton?
Lubik added, 'My key set would probably get me into your house, or anybody's house that went to Lowe's or Home Depot.'
The clip sparked panic — and eye rolls.
Advertisement
'Welp, thanks for telling everyone. I feel much safer now,' one TikTok commenter snarked.
3 If your whole block hit Home Depot on move-in day, a TikTokker says your key might be the neighborhood skeleton key.
Getty Images
'Five keys per brand is absolutely crazy,' another said.
'It may get you in but it will be the last door you open,' a third warned.
Advertisement
Turns out, lock brands like Kwikset and Schlage — which dominate the big box shelves — offer way more than just five options. Try tens of thousands.
3 The clip about Lowe's and Home Depot keys set off a firestorm of freak-outs — and facepalms.
Getty Images
The Kwikset Keyway (KW1) has more than 10,000 key combinations and the Schlage keyway (SC1) has 72,000, according to Marketplace.
So the odds of your neighbor having a matching key? Slimmer than a paperclip.
'If you really want to unlock a random home, you're better off learning how to use a pick set,' Erik Glassen, senior brand marketing manager for Kwikset, told the site.
Experts say burglars aren't usually finessing keyways anyway — they're smashing windows or kicking down doors.
As one commenter put it: 'Locks only keep an honest man out.'
Still paranoid?
Advertisement
Wirecutter recommends the Schlage B60N deadbolt — just $30 and built to stand up to both stealth and brute-force break-ins.
And while your key probably won't open the neighbor's place — someone else might still open yours.
Just ask New York City influencer Kate Bartlett, who shared her own terrifying experience in a viral video, warning followers to always lock — and deadbolt — their doors.
@katebartlett
stay safe and lock and bolt your doors always 🤍🤍🤍 ♬ original sound – kate bartlett
Advertisement
'Two years ago, a random man broke into my New York City apartment in the middle of the night while I was there,' said Bartlett, 25, who lived alone in a luxury high-rise downtown with 24-hour doormen and an electronic keycard system.
'So the doors to all of the apartments in the building were a key card system… but they also had a deadbolt for an extra layer of protection,' she said.
As The Post previously reported, Bartlett admitted she sometimes skipped the deadbolt because her then-boyfriend had a keycard — a decision she later regretted.
'One very, very random weeknight… I was kind of halfway asleep,' she recalled, when she heard the door open and assumed it was her boyfriend. But minutes later, a strange man was fumbling with her lights.
Advertisement
'Eventually, I'm just like, 'Hello, hello?'… and I hear a man's voice say, 'No, this is housekeeping,'' she recounted.
3 NYC influencer Kate Bartlett had a nightmare break-in and a message: deadbolt it, always.
Connect Images – stock.adobe.com
Her 'heart sunk,' she said, before grabbing a tripod for protection. The intruder bolted — and building staff initially didn't believe her.
'The same thing happens to another girl in the same building,' she said. 'Everybody finally believes me now.'
Advertisement
Although police eventually caught the man, they couldn't arrest him immediately — because the building lacked 'No trespassing' signs.
'Months later, finally they were able to arrest him or do something,' Bartlett added. 'I moved out.'
Her takeaway? 'Lock your doors, even in a luxury building.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
Block Build Waukesha, free home repairs help revitalize neighborhood
The Brief Revitalize Milwaukee's Block Build is in Waukesha's "The Stand" neighborhood. The volunteer effort hopes to benefit the community with free home repairs. Project leaders said the group always had plans to expand into Waukesha County. WAUKESHA, Wis. - An entire Waukesha block is getting a makeover thanks to Revitalize Milwaukee's Block Build. By helping a whole neighborhood, there's hope a whole community will benefit. What they're saying It's safe to say Bob Hyland's house has seen better days. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android "They said, 'Get things ready to throw out.' I tried to fill the dumpster," he said. "I did a pretty good job." Hyland has lived in his home since 1964. When his dad died in 2011, Hyland became the owner. But it was a chance encounter last fall that really brought about change. "What we're doing sometimes comes with a little suspicion, somebody knocks at your door: 'We want to do some free home repairs.' Really?" said Jeff Boss, a Home Depot manager. Home Depot pays for all the materials, and Revitalize Milwaukee gets to work. Together, they pick neighborhoods in need of some TLC. This weekend, that neighborhood is "The Strand." SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News "Our normal critical repair and emergency repair is more 60 and up, and veterans and disabled folks," said Revitalize Milwaukee's Christian Ricco. "To some degree, that also gets into, with lead and asthma, some children involved." Hyland's house, in need of bathroom and ceiling work, is the biggest project. Six other homes in the neighborhood will have free work done that includes painting, landscaping and structural repairs. Without the volunteers, Hyland said he wouldn't have been able to scratch all of the projects off his to-do list. "Thank you to all of them," he said. "They said, 'We want to thank you,' and I said, 'No, no, I'll thank you!'" What's next Revitalize Milwaukee project leaders said the group always had plans to expand into Waukesha County. Hundreds of volunteers' work will continue in the neighborhood between Whiterock and East Main on Saturday. The Source FOX6 News interviewed participants in the Revitalize Milwaukee Block Build for this report.
New York Post
11-06-2025
- New York Post
Home Depot shoppers warned — if you purchased this popular item, your security could be at risk, expert claims
A home inspector's viral warning has homeowners rattling their doorknobs — and their nerves. TikTokker and self-proclaimed safety sleuth Scott Lubik (@scottlubik) claimed that if you bought your door locks from Home Depot or Lowe's, 'your keys to your place will open your neighbor's door.' Say what now? Advertisement In the trending video, which has racked up over 59,000 views, Lubik dropped what he called a 'well-kept secret.' 'There are only five different locking configurations, meaning that every fifth set that they sell has the same exact key,' Lubik alleged. Advertisement 'This is a well-kept secret, but I'm a home inspector and a realtor, so I know this just from buying and flipping houses.' So, if your block went on a Home Depot run the day you moved in, there's a chance your key might be the neighborhood skeleton? Lubik added, 'My key set would probably get me into your house, or anybody's house that went to Lowe's or Home Depot.' The clip sparked panic — and eye rolls. Advertisement 'Welp, thanks for telling everyone. I feel much safer now,' one TikTok commenter snarked. 3 If your whole block hit Home Depot on move-in day, a TikTokker says your key might be the neighborhood skeleton key. Getty Images 'Five keys per brand is absolutely crazy,' another said. 'It may get you in but it will be the last door you open,' a third warned. Advertisement Turns out, lock brands like Kwikset and Schlage — which dominate the big box shelves — offer way more than just five options. Try tens of thousands. 3 The clip about Lowe's and Home Depot keys set off a firestorm of freak-outs — and facepalms. Getty Images The Kwikset Keyway (KW1) has more than 10,000 key combinations and the Schlage keyway (SC1) has 72,000, according to Marketplace. So the odds of your neighbor having a matching key? Slimmer than a paperclip. 'If you really want to unlock a random home, you're better off learning how to use a pick set,' Erik Glassen, senior brand marketing manager for Kwikset, told the site. Experts say burglars aren't usually finessing keyways anyway — they're smashing windows or kicking down doors. As one commenter put it: 'Locks only keep an honest man out.' Still paranoid? Advertisement Wirecutter recommends the Schlage B60N deadbolt — just $30 and built to stand up to both stealth and brute-force break-ins. And while your key probably won't open the neighbor's place — someone else might still open yours. Just ask New York City influencer Kate Bartlett, who shared her own terrifying experience in a viral video, warning followers to always lock — and deadbolt — their doors. @katebartlett stay safe and lock and bolt your doors always 🤍🤍🤍 ♬ original sound – kate bartlett Advertisement 'Two years ago, a random man broke into my New York City apartment in the middle of the night while I was there,' said Bartlett, 25, who lived alone in a luxury high-rise downtown with 24-hour doormen and an electronic keycard system. 'So the doors to all of the apartments in the building were a key card system… but they also had a deadbolt for an extra layer of protection,' she said. As The Post previously reported, Bartlett admitted she sometimes skipped the deadbolt because her then-boyfriend had a keycard — a decision she later regretted. 'One very, very random weeknight… I was kind of halfway asleep,' she recalled, when she heard the door open and assumed it was her boyfriend. But minutes later, a strange man was fumbling with her lights. Advertisement 'Eventually, I'm just like, 'Hello, hello?'… and I hear a man's voice say, 'No, this is housekeeping,'' she recounted. 3 NYC influencer Kate Bartlett had a nightmare break-in and a message: deadbolt it, always. Connect Images – Her 'heart sunk,' she said, before grabbing a tripod for protection. The intruder bolted — and building staff initially didn't believe her. 'The same thing happens to another girl in the same building,' she said. 'Everybody finally believes me now.' Advertisement Although police eventually caught the man, they couldn't arrest him immediately — because the building lacked 'No trespassing' signs. 'Months later, finally they were able to arrest him or do something,' Bartlett added. 'I moved out.' Her takeaway? 'Lock your doors, even in a luxury building.'
Tom's Guide
04-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
Hurry! Lowe's Memorial Day sale ends soon — 21 deals to shop now on patio furniture, grills, appliances and more
Memorial Day is over, but you still have a few hours left to shop Lowe's Memorial Day sale. Just act fast, as the sale ends today. Now is a great time to refresh your home for the summer, especially your patio and garden. That's because you can shop patio furniture deals from $19. Lowe's also has grills and outdoor cooking accessories on sale from $11. If you're more focused on your interior, you can currently get up to 35% off select appliances. Keep scrolling to see all my favorite Lowe's deals. For more savings, check out the Adidas deals I'd buy from $10 at Amazon. Outdoor grills: up to 40% off @ Lowe'sThere's nothing like buying a brand-new grill for all your upcoming outdoor festivities. And if you're ready to get grilling, Lowe's has the perfect deals for you, with up to 40% off a range of outdoor grills. Patio furniture sales: up to 40% off @ Lowe'sLowe's patio furniture sales take up to 40% off regular prices. From gazebos to full outdoor seating arrangements, Lowe's is discounting all kinds of outdoor furniture for you to get your yard ready for summer. Lighting and ceiling fan sale: up to 35% off @ Lowe'sFor Memorial Day, Lowe's is taking up to 35% off a sizeable range of lighting fixtures and ceiling fans. With the hot summer months ahead, the discounts on cooling fans are the most appealing. Lawn and garden sales: deals from $2 @ Lowe'sLowe's is offering savings on a whole range of lawn and garden items, from all-purpose lawn fertilizer and mulch to sizable water fountains with built-in LED lights. If you spend plenty of time in your garden, you'll find something to spruce it up here. Appliance sale: up to 35% off @ Lowe'sLowe's is slashing the prices of select small and large appliances. The sale includes refrigerators, washers, ranges, microwaves and more from brands like Whirlpool, Samsung and LG. Plus, select discount items are including an additional 10% off in cart. Cooking up a storm this summer with this Master Forge grill. It offers a 580 sq. in. cooking surface, and consistent temperature that can be controlled to ensure the perfect cook every time. It also includes a warming rack to keep finished foods hot while main dishes cook below. Right now you can get an awesome $70 discount on this Blackstone griddle. This 36-inch model has an omnivore griddle plate with wind guards for more efficient cooking, so you'll be able to cook everything from hotdogs to hashbrowns to perfection. This reliable tee is a great addition to any wardrobe, especially with a discount applied. It has lots going for it — it's made of soft and durable jersey material, has ventilated panels to keep you cool and it wicks sweat off your body. This 5-piece cooking spoon set will help you whip up a bunch of tasty dishes, and stay organized to boot. You get a ladle, spaghetti spoon, slotted turner, solid spoon and slotted spoon with comfortable grips and long necks. There's also a pop-out spoon rest to stop drips splashing on your countertops. This Igloo cooler is perfect for cookouts, tailgates, road trips and more. It has wheels and a handle for easy transportation, as well as two cupholders on the top to store your drinks. This pop-up tent is great when you need shelter, whether you're camping, barbecuing or holding some other outdoor gathering. It's weatherproof against sun, wind and rain, and takes two people just minutes to set up. This work bench from Kobalt will help you keep all your tools organized, and give you another surface for storage. There are nine drawers on board, all with soft-close finishes to stop them from slamming, and a power strip to charge your devices. This Chamberlain security camera works alone or as an upgrade to your MyQ-connected garage door opener. It adds streaming video, recorded events, motion detection, and 2-way communication to the MyQ app. If you want to protect your home from leaks, this option from Moen is our choice for the best water leak detector. It's compatible with Alexa, so you can get alerts sent to your smart devices and it comes with temperature and humidity detection. It's also small, so it's easy to mount just about anywhere. One of the best video doorbells we've tested is now on sale. This video doorbell offers an excellent picture, can announce familiar faces arriving at the door, and can also recognize packages, animals and vehicles. And it's all powered by a rechargeable check: $139 @ Amazon This 15-foot wide patio umbrella from Clihome can help you beat the heat this sunny season. The frame is made of thick steel with an anti-rust coat, while the canopy is made of high quality, fade- and weather-resistant material. This set of two dining chairs is on sale for $169 at Lowe's. Each chair swivels 260 degrees and has a gentle rocking action, for a comfortable and relaxing feel. The frame is made of sturdy, durable iron and the seat is made of UV-resistant fabric that dries fast if it gets wet. Spend your evenings outdoors, curled up by this wood burning fireplace. The fireplace features a removable grill and pan, making it simple to clean up any ash or soot. It's also constructed from heavy-duty rust resistant steel, so you can feel confident it will stay protected from the outdoor elements. This over-the range microwave is available in a variety of finishes, 2-speed fan, and adjustable cooktop lighting. It comes in black, stainless steel, brushed stainless, and white, although different discounts apply to each check: $359 @ Best Buy This Samsung electric range offers a large 6.3 cubic feet capacity. It has a 5-burner cooktop and 3300W Rapid Boil burner. It can also air fry your favorite foods right inside the oven for healthier options. If you love the side-by-side design and need a new fridge for your kitchen, check out this option from Whirlpool that's slashed by $650. It's made with fingerprint-resistant stainless steel, offers filtered ice and water through a built-in dispenser, and measures 24.6 cubic feet inside for plentiful storage. If you're ready to upgrade your washer and dryer, you can save $900 on this fantastic stackable set from Samsung. With a smart, Wi-Fi powered front-load washer featuring 4.5 cubic feet of space and a similarly smart 7.5-cu-ft dryer, doing laundry has never been easier. And thanks to notifications in the SmartThings app, you might never accidentally leave a load of clothes in the washer overnight again.
