12 Things Burglars Admitted They Say at Your Door And the Reply That Makes Them Leave

Most of what a burglar says at your door is a cover story. Here are 12 lines they admitted using, and the reply that ends each one. I'm Mike Brennan, retired detective, 35 years in law enforcement, from auto theft to running a property crime unit. This video walks through twelve front-door lines, from the wrong-name knock and the "work on your roof" pitch to the fake utility worker, the unexpected package, the lost dog, and someone claiming to be police. For each one: what it's really checking, and a short reply you can say through a closed door. One rule sits under all of them: the door stays closed while you talk. Tonight, pick two replies and say them out loud once. Put your local police non-emergency number in your phone. Tell me in the comments which of these lines someone has tried at your door, and which reply you'll start using. Please don't post your address, street, when you're usually home, or whether you live alone. Sources: Blevins, Kuhns & Lee, "Understanding Decisions to Burglarize from the Offender's Perspective," University of North Carolina at Charlotte (December 2012; funded in part by the Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation); Palo Alto Police Department warning on doorbell-ring burglaries, reported by Palo Alto Online (August 27, 2013); Federal Trade Commission, "Scammers Pretend To Be Your Utility Company" (updated 2026) and "Scammers are impersonating local law enforcement" (July 1, 2025); Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, "Pipeline Leak Recognition and What to Do." Safety note: none of this is about confronting anyone. If someone at your door tries the handle, won't leave, or makes you feel unsafe, stop talking, stay inside, and call 911. If you smell gas in your home, leave right away and call 911 from a safe place outside. I'm Mike Brennan. Talk through the door. #MikeBrennan #HomeSecurity #BurglaryPrevention #RetiredDetective #ScamAwareness #DoorToDoorScam #HomeSafety #CrimePrevention #SafetyTips #LivingAlone #SeniorSafety #ProtectYourHome #UtilityScam #PoliceImpersonation #HomeSecurityTips Tags what burglars say at your door, door to door scam, knock knock burglary, wrong name knock, fake utility worker, fake contractor scam, police impersonator at door, package needs signature scam, lost dog scam, home security tips, retired detective, living alone safety, senior safety tips, Mike Brennan