Do you have a key on your ring that says “Do Not Copy” or “Do Not Duplicate”? Did you know that (in most cases) it means nothing and you can have as many keys as you would like? For many years, people have been asking to have these phrases on their keys to keep others from having copies made. Those three words have been giving people a false sense of security.
You Can Cut as Many as You Want
There are no longer any laws that prevent locksmiths and hardware stores from duplicating keys that say “Do Not Copy”. If you want to have full control of who has keys to your home or business, you need to speak with a professional locksmith and ask about “restricted” keys.
Why Do People Still Do It?
Most people assume that if they ask us to put “Do Not Copy” on their keys that it will stop an unauthorized person from having more made. This is not true. It may discourage a person from trying to have a copy made because they think they can’t but there is no law that prohibits it.
So How Do I Get Key Control?
If you want to know with complete certainty how many keys are out there for your home or business you need to have restricted keys. Many lock manufactures have key systems that require locksmiths to keep records of how many keys are cut and who had them made. Only authorized people can have more keys made so you can distribute these keys and know that no more copies will be made without your authorization. These are some low-cost options available that make it very affordable to have control of your keys.
An Added Bonus
If you decide to secure your home or business with restricted keys, you also get more security at the door. Manufacturers of these products need to build more security into the lock itself in order to maintain key control. So, not only do you get protection from unauthorized key duplication, you also get a higher quality lock. While all this comes with a price, remember that your home or business has important people and valuable possessions, so it really is a small price to pay.
It is important to remember that it is not the words “Do Not Copy” that make a restricted key, it is the measures in place to prevent it from being copied that provide the security. To ensure that you get the security that you are looking for, speak with a professional locksmith.
