Oh no, you’ve been robbed! Not in a traditional sense, but still – your garage door remote is missing. It may have been stolen by a neighbor, borrowed by your kids and never returned, or even misplaced – either way, you’re probably worried about who now has access to your home.
Don’t worry! Here are some tips on what to do if someone steals your garage door remote.
What You'll Learn Today
Why Would Someone Steal My Garage Door Opener?
One of the first reasons why someone may be interested in stealing your garage door opener is because they can use it to access the items stored in your garage. From tools and supplies for their own use or resale value, there are many items that can be taken from a storage area.
Some people will use the remotes as a way to get access to other areas of a home, such as the attic or basement. If these areas have already been broken into by thieves, then they may also be able to gain access through this method as well.
Another common reason why someone may want to steal your garage door opener is for identity theft. This type of crime has become increasingly popular over the years, and more advanced technology makes it easier than ever before for criminals to gain access to personal information such as credit card numbers and bank account details.
If they are able to get hold of your remote control, then they could potentially gain entry into your home without having any contact with you whatsoever – making them much harder to trace or catch.
Furthermore, if they are able to gain entry without being detected, then it would be much easier for them to rummage through any paperwork or other sensitive documents that you may have lying around in order for them to take whatever information they need.
What To Do If Someone Steals Your Garage Door Remote?
You’re running late for work and you’re rushing out the door when suddenly, you realize your garage door remote is gone. Oh no! You frantically search for it, but it’s nowhere to be found. What do you do?
Don’t worry—we’ve got your back! Here are some tips to help keep your sanity if someone steals your garage door remote.
Contact the Police
If you suspect that your garage door remote was stolen by an intruder, then it’s time to contact the police and open an investigation.
Reprogram the Garage Remote
In order to prevent intruders from using your remote again, reprogram it with a new code immediately after reporting the crime to the police.
Erase the Remote Memory
Make sure that any memory stored within the remote is erased or deactivated in case a thief attempts to use it again with another device.
Clear Out Any Other Programmed Devices
If there are other devices programmed with your former garage door remote code (such as keypads and additional remotes), make sure they are cleared out as well so that they don’t become easy targets for thieves.
Disable Your Remote
Some garage door openers come with a feature that allows you to disable the remote if it is lost or stolen so that even if someone gets their hands on it, they won’t be able to access your home through it.
Use the Control Panel
If you have an old-fashioned control panel installed on the wall inside of your home, use this instead of relying solely on a single garage door remote for access into and out of your house. This is especially helpful if you ever find yourself without a working remote in hand (or pocket).
Install the MyQ System
Invest in a “MyQ” system that connects all of your smart devices together so that you can monitor who is entering and exiting from anywhere at any time using only one app on your phone!
Plus, these systems often come equipped with theft prevention features such as GPS tracking and alarm notifications when unexpected activity is detected around or within the house.
Buy a Replacement Remote
Replace whatever was stolen as soon as possible before anyone else can take advantage of it! Luckily there are plenty of online stores where you can buy replacement remotes at very affordable prices so this should be one of the most painless steps of them all!
Figure Out How to Open and Close the Garage Door Manually in the Meantime
In case of an emergency (or if someone else steals your replacement remote), knowing how to open and close your garage manually could prove invaluable. Most modern garages will have a manual override switch located near the opening mechanism of the door itself.
This switch should allow you to open or close your garage without having to rely on an electronic device or any other type of tool for assistance. It’s always a good idea to know how this manual system works just in case of emergencies!
Here’s a video that can help walk you through it:
How to Prevent Your Garage Door Remote From Being Stolen
Nobody wants their precious garage door opener stolen from their car—especially since replacing one can be quite expensive! Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to prevent this from happening.
Keep Car Doors Locked
One of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your garage door remote is to always make sure your car doors are locked when you leave the vehicle.
If a thief were able to gain access to your car, they would likely be able to find the remote in plain sight or even search through compartments and consoles where it might be stored. Keeping your car doors locked at all times is an easy way to deter potential thieves.
Don’t Keep the Remote in Plain Sight
The less visible your garage door remote is, the better. Store it away in a glove box or console instead of leaving it in plain sight on the dashboard or visor of your vehicle. That way, if someone does break into your car, they won’t notice it right away and be tempted to snatch it up quickly.
Put a Mini Remote on Your Keychain
A mini remote is a great way to keep track of your main garage door opener without having to lug around a bulky device everywhere you go.
Simply attach it to one of the keys on your keychain, and you’ll never lose track of it as long as you keep that key with you at all times! This option also eliminates any temptation for thieves who might see a big, obvious remote left in plain sight.
Secure the Garage Door with a Deadbolt
Sometimes, even if you’ve taken every precaution possible with regard to keeping track of and protecting your garage door opener, someone can still gain access if they know how to bypass basic security measures such as locks or alarm systems.
To combat this issue, consider installing an additional deadbolt lock on the inside of your garage door frame so that nobody can open it without first unlocking this feature-plus-level security measure!
Opt for a Garage Door Opener With Security Features
Finally, another great way to protect yourself from theft is by investing in a high-quality garage door opener that comes equipped with added security features like PIN numbers and motion sensors.
These features will ensure that only authorized users can gain access and help prevent any unwanted visitors from gaining entry into your home via the garage door!
Final Thoughts
It’s never fun when something gets stolen from you—especially something as important as a garage door opener! But if something like this ever happens to you don’t worry—just follow these tips and get back into security mode right away!
From contacting police officers and erasing memory cards to investing in MyQ systems and buying replacement remotes—there’s no reason why someone stealing your garage door opener should ruin your day (or month!). Take action now and stay safe!
