Is this a scam?! Keylock safe appears to be installed in my house out of nowhere

[Daniel_CR17]

Hi EDF, 

I live in Landcroft Rd. I came back from work yesterday and someone had installed a new keylock safe outside my door? (you can see the dust on the floor, newly installed)

I own our house and we have not ordered this. I've asked the neighbours and it wasnt them either. 

I called the company and they said they dont do installations. What should I do?

Best, 

Daniel

[teddyboy23]

Take it off

[George Orwell]

Doubt if it's a scam - more likely a mistake by a messy contractor. Its a top quality key safe - there are cheaper ones available.

[Daniel_CR17]

3 minutes ago, teddyboy23 said:

Take it off

In order to take it off (neatly), I need the access code to be able to get into the part of the case that has the screws...

[teddyboy23]

Stupid me 

[localbuilder]

I could take it off for you without the code 

[east-of-the-Rye]

Social services install keysafes sometimes when they are going to provide care/support to someone, and as someone said above, their contractor may have got the address wrong.  - you could try contacting them though it might be difficult to find the right department. Social landlords also fit them when a property is empty to allow various contractors to carry out work without having to pass around keys. But again trying to track down the right landlord could be hard unless you can see and obviously empty flat/house near you.

[localbuilder]

2 minutes ago, east-of-the-Rye said:

Social services install keysafes sometimes when they are going to provide care/support to someone, and as someone said above, their contractor may have got the address wrong.  - you could try contacting them though it might be difficult to find the right department. Social landlords also fit them when a property is empty to allow various contractors to carry out work without having to pass around keys. But again trying to track down the right landlord could be hard unless you can see and obviously empty flat/house near you.

Fair point I know of someone who was given a postcode and door number and was ordered to remove the front fence and replace it ... post code was with one wrong letter and this did not go well as someone else's fence was taken down so its not necessarily next door or somewhere on your road but it can be on another road with your door number if some plonker typed wrong post code for the job 

[Daniel_CR17]

36 minutes ago, east-of-the-Rye said:

Social services install keysafes sometimes when they are going to provide care/support to someone, and as someone said above, their contractor may have got the address wrong.  - you could try contacting them though it might be difficult to find the right department. Social landlords also fit them when a property is empty to allow various contractors to carry out work without having to pass around keys. But again trying to track down the right landlord could be hard unless you can see and obviously empty flat/house near you.

I called the lock companny and they also said it was likely this was the reason. 

Not sure if spending hours calling the council is going to be worth it...

Sounds like I can do a few things. Call the council, leave it there a few days and see if someone realises the mistake, or take it off myself. 

Just a bit odd how someone can come in and drill a hole in your property without even checking...

Edited November 22, 2024 by Daniel_CR17

[IlonaM]

You could contact Council Adult Social Care Services by email as well. Usually recipient has to be in so they can be told code and shown how to access the keysafe.

Are you under Southwark? In which case:

'You can contact Southwark adult social care by:

Emailing [email protected] or calling 020 7525 3324 for adults with a physical or sensory disability or who are 65 or older'

Edited November 22, 2024 by IlonaM

[nivag]

2 hours ago, localbuilder said:

I could take it off for you without the code 

Hulk Smash!!! 😂

[kford]

It might have its default zero setting, so look for that in the instructions via that QR code. Then you can set your own code and have a keysafe

 

[George Orwell]

It's a Supra C500 Key safe.

PS The instructions say to not fix it to a rendered wall as it's not guaranteed to be secure. Instead fix it directly to brickwork. So fortunately, hacking off the render may give you enough room to get a blade into the gap to cut the 4 screws

https://thekeysafecompany.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/11000114715-supra-c500-pro-keysafe-installation-help

[vladi]

PM sent

[Insuflo]

It’s very likely to be a mistake by a council contractor, so they should make good; also, someone else could be waiting for a much needed installation. It might be quickest to email your councillor, as they should be able to track down who’s responsible, rather than going from pillar to post with switchboards etc.

Edited November 22, 2024 by Insuflo

[OutOfFocus]

This is most likely explanation but it might be a private individual whose contractor wrote wrong postcode.

Forced analogy.  I nearly booked a hair appointment "on behalf of " my wife. Gave her phone number

On 22/11/2024 at 12:19, localbuilder said:

not necessarily next door or somewhere on your road but it can be on another road

Indeed, we get post for a house with same number, one  letter different .

Bank account numbers I believe have check digits . Postcodes don't.

Edited November 23, 2024 by OutOfFocus

[James Barber]

H Daniel,

If Southwark Council did instruct a contractor to install this then it would be the councils responsibility to remove it and make good your wall even the contractor screwed up (no pun intended).

Will be interesting to hear where this goes. 

Regards James.

[Sally Eva]

The other use of keylock safes that I am aware of is Airbnb. The person renting out the property puts the key in such a safe and the incoming tenant has the code so they can get in and get the key.

If you find it locked against you, I should immediately remove it or get it removed.

[malumbu]

Good point, I was listening to a radio documentary where an American couple hired a cottage in a place called Ambridge, either in Worcester or Warwick shire (couldn't find the village on a map).  Imagine their surprise after they had let themselves in (key under the mat) when the owner came home - appears to be a scam.  So maybe check out Airbnb Vbro and similar sites to see if your place is being listed without your permission.

[Penguin68]

So long as you don't put your own keys in the box it is annoying but not a threat. 

[OutOfFocus]

On 25/11/2024 at 07:52, Sally Eva said:

The other use of keylock safes

Another is one is worried about locking yourself out.

[Sally Eva]

I must get one 😉

[CPR Dave]

Good to see you on here James.

Would love it if you made a come back as our local councillor! You were the best!

[vladi]

1 minute ago, CPR Dave said:

Good to see you on here James.

Would love it if you made a come back as our local councillor! You were the best!

I second that whole heartedly.
Come the next local elections lots of Labour incumbents will be turfed out and it will pave the way for sensible, committed and non-tribal candidates to be selected.

[sebastiondangerfield]

Twas Dan Archer hi