Technology
Is your home being targeted? Uncover subtle signs burglars don't want you to see
Could your home be a target for burglary? While you might assume that crimes are random acts, it’s surprising to learn that some burglaries are actually premeditated. In 2022 alone, there were 673,261 burglary incidents reported nationwide, according to the FBI. Because burglaries can occur swiftly and authorities may not always respond in time, prevention is the most effective strategy.
Practicing basic security measures and being aware of warning signs can help prevent your home from becoming a target. Below are four top signs that your home might be targeted by burglars.
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A man trying to break into a residence (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Top 4 signs your home may be targeted for a burglary
While burglaries may seem random, criminals usually look for opportunities to commit their crimes. It might be a surprise to learn that burglaries spend time assessing their victims and vulnerabilities before striking. In order to find their next victim, they often watch and learn the habits of their next target. Below are signs that burglars may be targeting you:
1) Watch out for suspicious vehicles
Instead of paying attention to the make and model of cars that may be suspicious, pay attention to the behaviors and circumstances surrounding unknown vehicles frequenting your neighborhood.
Who’s in the car?
Unless someone is working nearby or waiting for someone to pick up or see in the area, most people park their cars and leave them. It can be a red flag if someone who has no reason to be in the area is simply sitting in the vehicle. It likely means this person is casing the neighborhood to see who they can target or how to best commit the crime.
Are they equipped?
Is the person in the vehicle using surveillance devices such as cameras or binoculars? Then it may be a sign that they are actively scoping out who will be their next victim and when and how to best commit their crime.
Is there a rotation of people or multiple people involved?
If you start noticing a pattern around different people showing up in the same car on varying days or if multiple people are hanging out in the same car, it might be a sign that you or your neighbors are being targeted.
A criminal looking into a window of someone’s house (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
BEST HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS
2) Strangers knocking on your door
While it might appear unwise for criminals to confront their victims before committing a crime, they often do visit potential victims’ doorsteps for four specific reasons.
1) Establish schedules: Burglars might come to your door to confirm when or if someone is home.
2) Observe more details: Getting you to open the door gives them an opportunity to observe additional details about your home. They can observe any additional occupants if there are pets that can deter their crimes or any additional obstacles to committing their crimes, such as security systems or cameras.
3) Commit the crime: Some criminals are ready to strike should the opportunity arise. They usually use a false circumstance, especially with a sense of urgency, to get you to open the door. They may see this as an opportunity to enter your home and rob you then and there.
4) Vandalism: While it may seem counterintuitive, burglars will sometimes commit small, random acts of vandalism to test to see if their victims are paying attention or the targeted homes are occupied. These random acts may include but not be limited to:
- Lights: Are your motion-sensing lights working? Are any outdoor lights broken or unscrewed? If so, it may mean that burglars are preparing to commit their crimes.
- Cameras: If you have outdoor security cameras, are they working properly? Have any cameras been moved slightly or obscured? Burglars might be shifting these devices so that their crime isn’t caught on camera.
- Property damage: A burglar might break a window or lawn ornament to see if anyone is actually home. If no one has noticed the damage or fixed it, they might see it as a sign that the home is free and clear to rob.
- Empty tank: Burglars will go to great lengths to buy themselves extra time in committing their crime, going as far as to siphon gas from their car’s gas tank. Because your gas tank has been emptied without your knowledge, you likely won’t have enough gas to get home on your normal schedule, which gives these criminals more time to burgle your home.
- Targeting pets: Some burglars will go as far as kidnapping or releasing your beloved pets from your property to prevent any additional obstacles or noise while they burgle your home.
A burglar breaking into someone’s residence (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
3) Unusual markings or items left around your property
Burglars sometimes leave subtle signs or markings around a property to indicate it as a target. These can include:
- Chalk marks: Simple symbols or lines drawn on walls, fences or sidewalks can be a way for burglars to communicate with each other.
- Stickers or fliers: Unusual stickers or fliers left on your door or mailbox can be a way to mark your home.
- Objects out of place: Items like rocks, sticks or even trash placed in specific spots can be a signal to other burglars.
4) Tampering with your security systems
Burglars may attempt to disable or test your security systems before committing a crime. Look out for:
- Cut wires: If you notice any cut wires around your security cameras or alarm systems, it could be a sign that someone is trying to disable them.
- False alarms: Frequent false alarms can be a tactic used by burglars to desensitize you to the alarm going off.
- Unusual activity: If your security cameras or alarms show unusual activity, such as being triggered without a clear cause, it might be a sign that someone is testing your security measures.
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Protect your home with these best home security solutions
Now that you’re aware of the four signs that indicate your home may be a target for burglars, it’s crucial to take proactive steps to enhance your security. If you’re unsure about which security cameras or systems to invest in, you’ll want to check out our article on the best home security systems.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Whether you’re leaving town for a vacation or noticing an upswing in crime in your neighborhood, it is important to pay attention to the four signs that you or your neighbors are being targeted by burglars. Separately, these small signs are easy to miss, but together, they paint a picture of a perfect target. While it may seem prudent to confront these suspicious individuals directly, it may be more dangerous for you. In addition to increasing your own security measures and raising the awareness of your neighbors, you can reach out to local authorities to alert them of suspicious activities. Sometimes, local authorities may increase patrol in your area, which may deter criminals from acting.
What experiences have you had with home security and how have they influenced your approach to protecting your home? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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OpenAI announced yet another reorganization Friday, consolidating certain areas and making company president Greg Brockman the official lead of all things product.
In a memo viewed by The Verge, Brockman wrote that since OpenAI’s product strategy for this year is to go all-in on AI agents, the company is combining its products to “invest in a single agentic platform and to merge ChatGPT and Codex into one unified agentic experience for all.”
To do this, the company is making a suite of org chart changes, although it’s still operating under some of the same ones from last month. That’s when AGI boss Fidji Simo went on medical leave and OpenAI announced that Brockman would be in charge of product strategy and CSO Jason Kwon, CFO Sarah Friar, and CRO Denise Dresser would take control of business operations.
It’s all part of OpenAI’s recent strategic shift to focus on key revenue drivers like coding and enterprise and stop pouring resources into “side quests” ahead of its potential IPO later this year and amid investor pressure to turn a profit.
In Simo’s continued absence, Brockman’s role leading product strategy is now official, as well as the company’s “scaling” arm. Under Brockman will be four different pillars. The first is core product and platform, led by Thibault Sottiaux, who has been OpenAI’s engineering lead for Codex, and the second is critical enterprise industries, led by ChatGPT head Nick Turley. Third is the consumer pillar, such as health, commerce, and personal finance, which will be led by Ashley Alexander, who has been its healthcare products VP. The fourth pillar — core infrastructure, ads, data science, and growth — will be led by Vijaye Raji, who has been OpenAI’s CTO of applications.
Brockman wrote in the memo that OpenAI’s goal is now to “bring agents to ChatGPT scale, in order to give individuals and organizations significantly more value and utility from our products.”
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You’re going about your day when your phone buzzes. A text hits your phone. It looks official. It sounds urgent. And suddenly, you are being told you owe money for a traffic violation. That is exactly what Todd from Texas experienced. He emailed us and said:
“I received this text message today. It was so baffling because I haven’t lived in California for nearly a decade. I didn’t click on anything or respond. How can I tell if this is for real or if this is a scam?”
If you’ve gotten a message like this, you are not alone. This type of scam is spreading fast, and it is designed to pressure you into acting before you think. Let’s break down what is really going on.
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FAKE AGENT PHONE SCAMS ARE SPREADING FAST ACROSS THE US
This message may look official, but several red flags show it is likely a scam designed to pressure you into paying quickly. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What the traffic ticket scam text looks like
At first, the message seems convincing. It claims to be a “final reminder” from the California DMV, and it warns of penalties like license suspension and added fees. It even includes a link that appears somewhat official. However, once you slow down and take a closer look, the red flags quickly start to pile up.
The biggest red flags in this message
Here are the key warning signs to watch for in messages like this.
9 WAYS SCAMMERS CAN USE YOUR PHONE NUMBER TO TRY TO TRICK YOU
1) The phone number makes no sense
The message comes from a number with a +63 country code. That is the Philippines, not California. Government agencies in the U.S. do not send official legal notices from international numbers. That alone is a major warning sign.
2) No name, just “Dear Driver”
Legitimate notices from a DMV or court almost always include your full name or at least some identifying information. “Dear Driver” is vague on purpose. It allows scammers to send the same message to thousands of people.
3) The link isn’t a real DMV website
The message includes this link:
ca.mnvtl.life/dmv
That isn’t a government domain. Official DMV websites in California use “.ca.gov” or similar trusted domains. Scammers often create lookalike links to trick you into clicking.
4) Urgency and threats
The message pushes you to act quickly with a deadline. It lists consequences like license suspension and extra charges. Scammers rely on fear. When you feel rushed, you are more likely to click without thinking.
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5) Asking you to reply to proceed
The text says to reply with “Y” to get instructions. That is another trap. Responding confirms your number is active, which can lead to more scam messages.
6) Generic language and odd phrasing
Parts of the message feel slightly off. The tone is formal but not quite right. That subtle awkwardness is common in scam messages sent to large groups of people.
7) Overloaded threats designed to scare you
The message piles on consequences like license suspension, added fees, court action and even credit damage. In this case, it even mentions a license suspension and a $160 late payment charge. That combination is meant to overwhelm you and push you to act fast. Real agencies usually provide clear, specific notices, not a long list of escalating threats in a single text.
INSIDE A SCAMMER’S DAY AND HOW THEY TARGET YOU
Scam texts like this often arrive out of nowhere and try to create urgency before you have time to question them. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What this means for you
Even if you have never driven in California, you could still receive this message. Scammers cast a wide net and hope someone takes the bait. If you click the link, you could be taken to a fake payment page. That page may ask for your credit card details, personal information or login credentials. In some cases, it can also install malware on your device or redirect you to credential-stealing pages. This isn’t about a ticket. It is about getting your data. State DMVs typically do not send final legal notices or payment demands by text message.
Why these scams keep working
These messages work because they tap into something most people fear. Legal trouble, fines and losing driving privileges. They also look just real enough to pass a quick glance. That is all scammers need. As more services move online, these scams will continue to evolve.
Unlike typical DMV scams, this message impersonates a court and escalates the threats to make the situation feel more serious (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Ways to stay safe from traffic ticket text scams
Start with a simple rule. Never trust a payment request that shows up out of nowhere. Here are practical steps you can take:
1) Do not click the link
If you are unsure, do not tap anything in the message. That includes links and reply options.
2) Use strong antivirus software
If you accidentally click a link, strong antivirus software can help detect malware and protect your data. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
3) Verify directly with the DMV
Go to your state’s official DMV website by typing it yourself into your browser. Do not use the link in the text.
4) Check the sender carefully
Look at the phone number. International numbers or random strings are a clear warning sign.
5) Ignore generic greetings
Real notices will usually include your name or case details. Vague language is a red flag.
6) Consider a data removal service
Scammers often get your number from data broker sites. Removing your personal info from those databases with a data removal service can reduce these messages. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com
7) Block and report the number
On your phone, block the sender and report it as spam. This helps reduce future attempts.
8) Turn on spam filtering
Enable spam filtering on your phone or through your carrier to catch more of these messages before they reach you.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Todd did the right thing. He paused, questioned the message and did not click. That one decision likely saved him from handing over personal information. When it comes to messages like this, skepticism is your best defense. If something feels off, trust that instinct.
Should phone carriers and tech companies be doing more to block scams like this before you ever see them? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Honda revealed prototypes of two new hybrid models, an Accord sedan and the Acura RDX SUV, during its annual business briefing this week, built on a platform that it says will begin launching next year. The RDX was announced earlier this year as Honda’s first SUV to feature the next-gen version of its two-motor hybrid system.
In March, Honda announced it would take a writedown of up to 2.5 trillion yen ($15.7 billion) on its EV investments. Now Honda says its EV-related losses will be “resolved” by 2029, and that it will reevaluate its EV plans in 2030.
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