The first few minutes: safety, then reporting
If you were threatened or hurt during the theft, call 911 first. Everything else can wait until you are safe. If you simply discovered that your bag, wallet, or keys are gone, take a breath and work through the steps in order, because the order matters.
Start by reporting the theft to the police. A report creates a record that helps with insurance, with replacing identification, and with proving to a locksmith or property manager that your concern is real. Ask for the report number and write it down. If the theft happened in a car, a store, a gym, or a restaurant, tell the management as well, because they sometimes have camera footage that is deleted after a limited period.
Then think about where you are right now. If the thief has your keys and your address, and you are not at home, ask yourself whether anyone is inside the house, whether you share the property with other people, and whether you should stay somewhere else until the locks are changed. You do not need to be dramatic about this, but you should not assume that a stranger with a key will do nothing.
Why an address and a key together change the risk
A lost key on its own is a nuisance. A key tied to an address is a way in. Wallets commonly hold a driver license with a home address, bills, vehicle registration, a gym card with the neighborhood in its name, or mail. Even a key ring without any identification can be linked to your home if the thief also took your phone, your garage remote, or your car, since vehicles often hold registration paperwork and a garage opener that matches the home.
The most common reason people hesitate is that they hope the keys will turn up. Sometimes they do, but the time you wait is time the old key stays useful to whoever holds it. Rekeying costs far less than the consequences of a break-in, and a rekey is the neat answer because it makes the stolen key worthless without replacing every piece of hardware.
If the stolen items were taken in a public place and you have no reason to think the thief knows where you live, you may feel the risk is low. That judgment is yours to make. Many people choose to rekey anyway, because they cannot know what the thief can see, and because the peace of mind is part of what they are paying for.
Rekeying your home after stolen keys
Rekeying changes the internal pins in your lock cylinders so that the old key no longer works, and the technician cuts new keys for the new pin arrangement. A mobile locksmith can do this at your door, usually for the front entry, the back door, the garage entry, and any side doors. Each lock is tested with the new key before the technician leaves.
If your locks are old, loose, or worn, ask whether replacing them makes more sense. A rekey does not repair a sagging deadbolt or a handle that wobbles. In the same visit a technician can also look at your strike plates and door frame, which are often the weakest point on a door, and suggest improvements while the door is open and the tools are out.
Consider whether you want a different type of lock at all. A keypad or smart lock removes the physical key from the picture, which can be useful for people who have lost keys before. Our guide to rekeying explains how the process works, and our rekey versus replace guide helps you decide between the two.
Car keys and key fobs: a separate problem
Vehicles add a layer. If the thief took a car key or fob, the vehicle itself is at risk, and in some cases the thief knows where it is parked, because the car was at the same place where the bag was taken. Report the theft to the police, and tell your insurer.
Modern car keys contain a transponder chip or a smart key that talks to the car. A locksmith equipped for automotive work can cut and program a new key, and in many cases can erase the lost key from the vehicle's memory so that it can no longer start the engine. This is sometimes called deleting the lost key. Not every vehicle allows it without a dealer tool, and some brands require extra steps, so the technician will tell you what is possible for your make and model once you give the year, make, and model on the phone.
If the fob is the only thing that unlocks the car and it was stolen along with your address, consider more than the key. A thief might use a relay device or simply the original key to enter the car later. Move the vehicle if you can, and keep a spare in a safe place. Our page on lost car keys covers the options in more detail.
The garage door opener, gate fob, and building access
Garage remotes are often clipped to a visor or held on the same key ring as the house key. If a thief has the remote and the address, the garage is an easy way in, and the door between the garage and the house is often the least secured door of all. Reprogram the opener so that old remotes stop working. Most openers allow you to clear every stored remote and add new ones, though the exact steps vary by brand, so check the manual or ask a garage door professional.
If you live in a gated community or a condo with fobs, report the loss to the management office the same day and ask them to deactivate the lost fob and issue a new one. Those systems belong to the association, so the locksmith cannot change them, but a good technician will remind you to ask.
The same goes for mailbox keys, storage cage keys, and keypad passcodes. Treat each of those as a point of access and handle them one by one. A short list on paper helps you keep track of what you have changed, and what remains.
Securing the door until the locksmith arrives
While you wait, there are safe, simple steps you can take. If you are home, keep the deadbolt thrown and any chain or secondary latch engaged. If you have a sliding door, place a wooden dowel or bar in the track. If you have a security alarm, arm it, even when you are inside.
Do not leave a note on the door saying that you are away. Do not post about the theft and your travel plans on social media. Both tell the thief when the home is empty. If you can, ask a friend or neighbor to stay with you, or to check the house while you are out.
If you cannot be home when the locksmith comes, tell the dispatcher. Many people give a trusted person permission to meet the technician, and the technician will ask that person to show proof that the property is yours or that they have your permission. Never leave a key under a mat for a locksmith to find, since that defeats the point of changing the locks.
Hurricane season, travel, and other complications
South Florida adds its own wrinkles. If a theft happens just before a storm, or while you are traveling, the timing makes everything harder. Shutters, evacuation plans, and the sheer pace of the week can push a lock change down the list, and that is the wrong place for it. A home that is empty and has a known key in unknown hands is the situation people most regret.
If you are traveling when you discover the loss, you can still act. Ask a trusted friend, relative, or property manager to meet the technician at the door, and make sure they are able to show proof that they act for you. Many seasonal residents arrange this in advance, and our page on seasonal home locks explains how to plan for it.
If you share the home with an elderly parent or a child who will be at the door when the technician arrives, tell them in advance who is coming and what to expect. Always verify the identity of anyone claiming to be your locksmith before letting them in.
Identity theft and other things to change
A stolen wallet is a different problem from a stolen key ring, and the response goes beyond locks. Cancel or freeze your bank and credit cards, and consider placing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus. If your driver license was taken, contact the state licensing office about replacing it. Report stolen government cards and passports through the proper agency.
If your phone was stolen, change the passwords on the accounts it can access, and use a remote lock or erase feature. Many people forget that smart home apps, garage opener apps, and doorbell cameras are tied to the phone, and a thief may be able to open or watch your home through them. Remove the stolen device from your accounts as soon as you can.
These steps are outside the locksmith's work, but they matter to the larger picture. The theft of a wallet with an address often leads to attempts to use your identity, and a locked door means less if your accounts are open. Make a list, work through it, and give yourself time. It is normal to feel rattled.
Renters, condo owners, and who has to be told
If you rent, tell your landlord or property manager about the theft. Some leases require tenants to ask before changing locks, and many landlords want to be involved. In some cases the landlord will pay for rekeying after a documented theft, but that is between you and them, not something a locksmith can arrange. Show them the police report.
Condo owners should check their association rules. Many allow owners to rekey or change entry hardware but may require notice, a specific finish, or a copy of the key for emergencies. Ask the office what is required and tell the technician about any master key arrangement so the new lock still works with it where that is required.
If you share the home with others, tell them what happened and make sure everyone gets new keys. A family member who still has the old key will find it no longer opens the door, which can cause a lockout at a bad moment. A single plan prevents confusion.
What to expect on the phone and at the door
When you call, the dispatcher will ask what was stolen, which doors and vehicles are involved, whether you rent or own, and where you are. Quotes are given only by phone, and a service call charge is explained before anyone is dispatched. More complicated jobs, such as many doors or mixed hardware, may require an on-site visit before the work is priced.
At the property the technician will ask for identification and for something that links you to the address. This is routine and protects you. A technician who does not ask is one to be careful about. Be wary of anyone who offers to change locks without checking who you are.
After the work, test every key, keep the receipt, and store the new keys somewhere safe. Consider cutting a spare right away so you are never without a way in. A spare held by a trusted person, or stored in a lockbox, is better than a hidden key under a planter.
A checklist for the next twenty-four hours
Use the list below as a guide and adjust it to your situation. Not every item applies to everyone.
- Call 911 if anyone is in danger, then file a police report and record the report number.
- Call the locksmith, describe the situation, and arrange to rekey or replace the locks on every door that key opened.
- Reprogram the garage opener and ask management to deactivate lost fobs.
- Contact your car insurer and a vehicle key specialist if a car key was taken.
- Freeze or cancel cards and replace identification.
- Change passwords and remove the stolen phone from smart home accounts.
- Tell your landlord, association, and household members about the change.
- Cut at least one spare key and decide where it will be kept.
Ready when you are
Theft is upsetting, and it is easy to freeze up. A rekey is one of the clearest ways to take back control of your home, and it can be done in one visit. If you are unsure whether you need to rekey or replace, or whether a keypad lock would serve you better, a short phone call will answer most questions. Call, tell us what was taken, and we will explain the options and the next step.
Questions people ask
Should I rekey my locks if only my wallet was stolen?
If your wallet held a key, a garage remote, or any item that could be linked to your address, rekeying is a sensible precaution. If it held only cards and identification, the risk is lower but your address is exposed. Many people rekey anyway because the cost is small compared with the worry of an unknown person knowing where you live.
Can a thief use my house key if they do not know where I live?
Not easily, but a wallet with a license, a utility bill, or a registration usually gives that information, and a car with a garage opener or paperwork can point to the home. You cannot control what the thief learns, so the safe approach is to assume the key can be matched to your address and act on that.
Can the locksmith make a new car key if my fob was stolen?
In many cases, yes. A technician with automotive equipment can cut and program a new key or fob and may be able to remove the lost one from the vehicle memory. This depends on the make, model, and year, so have those details ready when you call. Some vehicles require dealer-only tools.
How do I stop a stolen garage remote from working?
Most garage openers let you erase all stored remotes and then program only the ones you still have. The steps differ by brand, so check the manual or the label on the opener. If you cannot find the instructions, a garage door service can do it. Also change any keypad passcode the thief might have seen.
What if my landlord will not let me change the locks?
Check your lease and show your landlord the police report. In many cases the landlord will handle or approve the change, because a stolen key is a security risk to the whole property. If they refuse, a local tenant rights organization can explain your options. A locksmith will usually want written permission before working on a rental.
Is a smart lock a good answer after losing keys?
It can be. passcodes and app access can be changed or deleted without cutting keys, which is helpful if you have lost keys before. Smart locks do need batteries and a sound door, and some people prefer a plain key backup. A technician can help you weigh the options once they see your door.
Describe the situation by phone and we will tell you what the job involves. Quotes are given by phone. Jobs that cannot be quoted without seeing them need a technician on site, and the service call charge is explained on the phone before anyone is dispatched.
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