How To Get Into Your House With a Credit Card When You’re Locked Out
- November 6, 2008
- 168,967 Views
Writer
kirk_smock
Music
Jonathan Roberts
Voice Over Artist
Peter Coleman
Uh, oh. You’re at your front door without a key. If you’ve got a credit card, see if you can get it to open the door before you use it to pay for a locksmith.
You Will Need
- A standard doorknob lock
- Credit card or similar plastic card
- Patience
- Steady hands
Only do this on your own lock -or you could wind up in a lot of trouble.
Step 1: Check the lock
Check the lock. A credit card will only open a spring bolt—the kind of lock that comes with a standard doorknob. It won’t work on a deadbolt.
Step 2: Choose a card
Choose a card. If you have a plastic card that’s less valuable than a credit card, like a video membership card, try that first.
Laminated cards work best, because they tend to be flexible.
Step 3: Insert card
Wedge the card between the door and the frame where the doorknob’s latch is located.
Many doors have molding that will make this difficult; if you’re desperate to enter, you can pry it off—but keep in mind this may cause more damage than the cost of a locksmith.
Step 4: Wiggle and jiggle
Holding the card flush against the doorframe, begin pushing and wiggling it towards the latch in the door crack.
If the sloped side of the latch isn’t facing you, you will need a tool or long piece of plastic that you can hook around the other side and pull towards you, making this much more difficult.
Step 5: Push and bend
While pushing the card in, begin bending it away from the doorknob. When you feel it slide the latch back, the door should open.
Step 6: Call a locksmith
If you got into your home, don’t be so smug—it means you have a crappy lock. Call a locksmith and get a deadbolt.
Most home burglaries occur in the middle of the day with the majority of burglars entering through the front door, which is often unlocked.
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Comments (8)
This music is great for this spot!
over 3 years ago by HeatherM
this works I have locked myself out a few times. Luckily it was a door to the garage and tools abound to remove moulding strip.
over 2 years ago by deckard1
Oh snaps. This could work on my door!.
over 2 years ago by kpfingaz
hmm nic...
over 2 years ago by emoband
U R BIG ALI BABA BRYAN HA HA HA HA
over 2 years ago by reda14
you need nimble fingers also
about 1 year ago by mikeandjay
would this basic idear work with a yale lock, if not any idears not lockpicking to hard for a normal person like me.
11 months ago by Steven_West
Lockpicking is wayy harder than this. If you have homemade tools like me. Otherwise its somewhat decently easy with online bought tools.
7 months ago by Caleb_White
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