8 ways to prevent roommate theft

College students and many 20-somethings often find themselves living with a roommate or two. While splitting rent and utilities can be great, it can also be tricky if that $20 bill on top of your dresser goes missing, or the tablet you left on your desk mysteriously disappears.

Roommate theft can be hard to tackle if there isn’t any clear-cut evidence, or if your roommate is a friend. It’s important to have the right insurance to protect you as well. Erie Insurance offers these eight tips to help you secure your stuff and prevent roommate theft.

1. Communicate. When first moving in with your new roommate, discuss what you feel comfortable borrowing or lending out. Letting them know up front if you don’t like sharing food, clothes, electronics or money will help set up a general guideline both of you can follow.
2. Don’t leave items out. Leaving something unattended or out in the open increases the opportunity for someone to notice it and take it. Wallets, phones, your keys and ID cards are easy to snatch when you aren’t looking. Hold on to sensitive items, and if you aren’t using them, put them somewhere safe.
3. Don’t give out private information. This includes your passwords, social insurance number or any personal information that could help someone gain access into your room or bank account. Lending out your keys or swipe cards can also put your items at risk.
4. Limit what you say on social media. While you may be itching to update your status and post what an amazing deal you got on that new laptop, you’d also be letting everyone know you have a fancy new piece of technology in your room. Be careful what you post.
5. Engrave high-value items. Putting your initials or a personal message on your electronics or other pricier items can make it more difficult for a thief to sell them, possibly deterring them from stealing it all together. It also makes it easier for any items to be returned to you.
6. Lock your door. It may sound like common sense, but if you don’t share a bedroom with your roommate, lock your door when you’re not home. Likewise, if your roommate is throwing a party or inviting friends over that you may not trust, locking your door is an easy way to prevent strangers from entering without your permission.
7. Invest in a safe. It can help you securely store cash, credit cards, jewelry and more.
8. Install a security camera. Smart home technology is getting more affordable for a college student’s budget. Many security cameras are under $100. Make sure to tell your roommate you’re installing a camera. Knowing there’s a camera on the premises can be a deterrent.

If the worst does happen, you’ll want to have the right insurance. Depending on the circumstances, and the specifics of your policy, your stolen stuff could be covered under your or your parents’ homeowners insurance; or your own renters insurance.

 

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