Last updated: February 2026
You get home, the door is closed, nothing looks disturbed - but something feels off. Your key turns a little differently than usual, or you notice faint scratches around the keyhole that weren't there last week. That nagging feeling deserves a real answer.
Picking a lock leaves physical evidence. If you know what to look for, you can spot it yourself in about 5 minutes. Here's exactly what to check.
The Clear Signs That a Lock Has Been Picked
A picked lock is not a ghost. It leaves marks. The 4 most reliable indicators are scratch patterns, debris, internal damage, and key feel.
1. Scratch Marks Around the Keyway
This is the #1 tell. Look at the metal surrounding your keyhole under a flashlight. Normal wear from your own key creates scratches on the bottom lip of the keyway, because that's where a key naturally slides in. Picking marks show up differently: random gouges, arcs, and scratches on the sides and top of the cylinder, especially around the shear line at 12 o'clock.
Fresh scratches look bright silver. Old ones oxidize and turn gray. If you see bright new scratches in unusual spots, that's a problem.
2. Metal Shavings or Debris Near the Lock
Lock picks are thin steel tools, and aggressive picking grinds against the brass or zinc pins inside your cylinder. That creates tiny metal shavings. Check directly below your door lock for fine metallic dust or chips you didn't notice before. This is especially visible on darker-colored door finishes.
3. Your Key Turns Differently Than Normal
Picking physically displaces the pins inside your lock. Sometimes those pins don't seat back to their original position perfectly. The result: your key turns with more resistance than usual, or it feels slightly stiffer at a specific point in the rotation. If your lock suddenly feels "off" and nothing else explains it, take that seriously.
4. The Lock Cylinder Feels Loose or Wobbly
Repeated picking attempts can wear down the internal components. If your cylinder spins with any wobble or play that wasn't there before, someone has been working on it. A healthy, untouched lock cylinder should feel solid with zero lateral movement.
Why Lock Picking Happens (and Who Does It)
Look, most break-ins in Stuart and the surrounding Treasure Coast area are not sophisticated. Burglars usually kick doors or break windows. That's fast and loud, but it's the most common method by far.
Lock picking happens in two scenarios. First: someone with at least basic training specifically wants quiet, traceable-entry-free access. Think targeted theft, not opportunistic crime. Second: an ex-partner, former roommate, or estranged family member who once had access and doesn't want you to know they've been inside.
The second scenario is more common than people think, especially in residential situations across Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach, and Palm City. If you've recently changed your personal situation and something feels wrong, trust that instinct.
What to Do If You Think Your Lock Was Picked
Don't just change the locks and hope for the best. Do this in order.
Step 1: Document Everything First
Take photos of the scratch patterns, any debris on the floor, and the overall lock condition before touching anything. If this becomes a police report, those photos matter.
Step 2: File a Police Report
Even if nothing was stolen. A police report creates a legal record and can matter for insurance purposes. Martin County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line is (772) 220-7000.
Step 3: Get the Lock Changed or Rekeyed Immediately
A picked lock is a compromised lock. Period. Rekeying costs $50-$75 per lock and physically changes the internal pin configuration so no previous key works. A full lock replacement runs $75-$150 depending on the hardware you choose.
For our Lock Rekey Service or a complete Lock Change & Replacement, Stuart Locksmiths can typically get to you same-day across Stuart, Hobe Sound, and Tequesta.
Step 4: Upgrade to Pick-Resistant Hardware
Standard builder-grade locks, the kind you'll find on 80% of homes in Stuart, are pickable in under 2 minutes by someone with basic training. Upgrading to ANSI Grade 1 hardware or a high-security cylinder with security pins makes picking dramatically harder.
Our High-Security Lock Installation service covers ASSA Abloy, Medeco, and Mul-T-Lock options that carry pick-resistance ratings. These start around $200-$350 installed and are a completely different category from what's on most doors right now.
Lock Picking vs. Bumping: The Difference Matters
A lot of homeowners confuse picking with bump keying. They leave different evidence.
| Method | How It Works | Evidence Left Behind | Time to Execute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lock Picking | Manually manipulating pins with picks and tension wrench | Scratch marks on keyway, metal debris, slight internal wear | 30 seconds to 10+ minutes |
| Bump Keying | Bump key struck with mallet to momentarily jump pins | Impact marks on keyway face, possible cylinder looseness | 5-30 seconds |
| Lock Bypass (shimming) | Thin tool inserted between door and frame to push bolt back | Scrape marks on door edge or bolt face | 10-20 seconds |
Bump keying tends to leave wider, blunter impact marks rather than the fine scratches picking creates. If you're seeing both, that suggests someone tried multiple methods.
Your Best Defense Going Forward
Three things actually work. One, deadbolts with at least a 1-inch throw (ANSI Grade 1). Two, security pins inside the cylinder, which cause "false sets" that confuse even experienced pickers. Three, a smart lock or video doorbell that logs entry attempts and shows you who's been at your door.
Our Deadbolt Installation & Repair service covers all of it, including reinforced strike plates that are bolted into the door frame stud rather than just the jamb. Most stock strike plates fail with a single hard kick. A properly installed reinforced plate holds against 400+ lbs of force.
Stuart Locksmiths has handled over 1,800 residential security calls in Martin County since 2019. We'll tell you exactly what's on your door, what it can and can't withstand, and what replacement actually makes sense for your situation and your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my lock was picked versus just worn out?
Normal wear creates scratches on the bottom lip of the keyway from regular key insertion. Picking leaves scratches on the sides and top of the cylinder near the shear line, plus potential metal debris on the floor below the lock. If the scratches are bright silver and in unusual spots, picking is more likely than normal wear.
Can a lock be picked without leaving any marks at all?
With cheap, soft brass cylinders and an experienced picker using good technique, marks can be minimal. But "no marks" is extremely rare in practice. Most picking attempts, especially on standard residential hardware, leave at least some evidence under flashlight inspection.
How long does it take to pick a standard door lock?
A basic pin tumbler lock (the kind on most homes in Stuart) can be picked in under 90 seconds by someone who's practiced. A deadbolt with security pins can take 10-30 minutes or defeat the attempt entirely. Builder-grade knob locks are the easiest targets.
Should I call the police before calling a locksmith if I think my lock was picked?
Yes, call police first to document the situation and file a report, especially if anything inside was disturbed. Then call us. We'll wait or return at whatever time works after law enforcement has finished.
Is rekeying enough after a suspected break-in, or do I need full lock replacement?
Rekeying works if the lock cylinder itself is in good mechanical condition. If picking damaged the pins or created wobble in the cylinder, replacement is the right call. Stuart Locksmiths will inspect the cylinder and give you an honest answer rather than upselling a replacement you don't need.
What types of locks are hardest to pick?
High-security cylinders from brands like Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and ASSA Abloy with spool or serrated security pins are the most pick-resistant. They're rated to resist picking for 10+ minutes in controlled testing, which makes them impractical targets. Standard pin tumbler locks offer no real resistance.
My lock was definitely picked but nothing was stolen. Should I still be concerned?
Absolutely. Someone entering without taking anything suggests reconnaissance, testing access, or surveillance of your habits. Change your locks immediately, document the incident with police, and consider adding a smart lock or camera to your front entry.
How much does it cost to replace a picked lock in Stuart, FL?
A basic deadbolt replacement runs $75-$150 for parts and labor. Upgrading to a high-security cylinder starts around $200-$350 installed. Rekeying an undamaged lock costs $50-$75. Stuart Locksmiths provides written estimates before any work starts.
Can smart locks be picked the same way as traditional locks?
Most smart locks still have a physical key cylinder as a backup, and that cylinder can be picked like any other. The advantage of smart locks is the access log: if someone bypasses the electronics, the keypad entry history shows no record of it, which is its own red flag. A smart lock with a high-security cylinder gives you both protections.
Does homeowner's insurance cover a break-in where the lock was picked?
Generally yes, if you file a police report. The challenge is proving forced entry when a lock was picked cleanly with no door damage. Your photos of the scratch evidence and the police report together support the claim. Talk to your insurer about your specific policy language.
How quickly can Stuart Locksmiths respond if I think my home security has been compromised?
We typically arrive within 25-40 minutes anywhere in Stuart, Palm City, Jensen Beach, and surrounding areas. For suspected break-ins we treat it as an emergency call. Phone us at (772) 362-5731 any time.
What's the single best upgrade to prevent lock picking on a Stuart home?
Replace your standard deadbolt cylinder with a high-security cylinder featuring spool pins, and pair it with a reinforced strike plate anchored into the wall stud with 3-inch screws. This combination stops both picking attempts and the much more common kick-in attack. It's the most practical security upgrade per dollar spent.
Think your lock has been tampered with? Call Stuart Locksmiths right now at (772) 362-5731. We'll inspect your locks, tell you exactly what we find, and get your home secured the same day.