Do Ring Video Doorbells Get Stolen? [How to Prevent It]

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In this post, I answer a slightly scary question: do Ring video doorbells get stolen? The short answer is yes of course! But take a few simple precautions and you can dramatically reduce the chances of having your smart doorbells go missing.

Let’s take a peek.

Ding Dong. Record.

Video doorbell cameras do significantly improve your home security and give you added peace of mind. However, they pose a security threat of their own. Since these are in effect security cameras that show you who is outside your door before you open it, some thieves have turned to target these instruments.

There have been cases of thieves caught on record, trying to steal video doorbells from leader-in -this space Ring as well as those from a variety of manufacturers like Nest doorbells, Eufy doorbells, etc.

Check out this video from Denver News 7.

It seems that the incidence of theft increases during the holiday season as these doorbells captors often specialize in package theft and want to knock these off your wi-fi network.

How Video Doorbells Work

Video doorbells are essentially smart home devices that take video footage of what is going on outside your front door when the doorbell is pressed.

Newer versions of smart video doorbells make it easier enough to replace your existing doorbell and many have anti-theft features like security screws to help keep make them harder to steal.

Features of most Ring doorbells depending on the model and some include:

Cloud storage used to back up video clips
Night vision
Motion detection
Facial recognition
Configuration via Ring app.

You can also control most video doorbells using your favorite AI like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. (Think, “Alexa, Show me who is at the front door.”) Some even have a live feed that records in real-time 24/7 and two-way talk (intercom).

So Do Ring Video Doorbells Get Stolen? Yup.

The value of these doorbells is believed to be one of the reasons why these porch pirates target them. You should, therefore, take measures to ensure that you remain safe and continue protecting your home, and giving you a return on your investment.

Sometimes thieves aren’t smart enough to know that these security systems have cameras that are recording them as they try to steal your video doorbell. Other times they are smart enough to show up disguised as utility service providers. In the latter case, they knock first to see if someone is home, then proceed to remove the Ring video doorbells.

The motive behind the stealing differs from some looking to make quick cash and others wanting to steal more valuable items from the home. Either way, you can take some measures to ensure that you enhance the safety of the video doorbell security.

Tips to Keep Your Ring Video Doorbell Camera Safe

Here is my list of five helpful tips to keep your doorbell safe.

Tip #1: Attach Your Video doorbell
Tip #2: Secure the Power Cable
Tip #3: Use a Grid Box
Tip #4: Back-Up Your Videos
Tip #5: Get Insurance

Tip #1: Securely Attach Your Video Doorbell

Attaching the video doorbell security to the stucco is one of the best ways to make it harder for them to rip it off, thus making it harder for them to take it away. The security systems usually come with screws attached to them, but most people don’t make use of those screws.

Screwing your doorbell to the wall makes it difficult to tear off. Since most thieves prefer to do their job faster, finding that they can’t rip off the system, they’ll leave. Every doorbell camera security system comes with notifications when someone approaches the camera or pushes it.

Even for those thieves who are persistent, making it harder for them to accomplish their mission, gives you enough time to use the notification and alert the relevant authorities. You’ll also have enough time to shout at the thief and scare them off.

Tip #2: Secure the Power Cable

Some thieves have enough knowledge about doorbell camera security systems to turn off the power to avoid being recorded while in the act. To make it harder for them to cut off the power cable, hide it from a clear view. Run the wires of the camera along the edges of the wall or other hidden areas using the cable clips.

Once secured, paint the power cables the color that matches the one already on the wall, so they blend in and become difficult to notice. Run the wires through the upper part of the doorway and plug it in inside the house.

If this seems like a long process for you, you can choose a video doorbell security system that is operated by batteries instead. You won’t have to worry about power being cut off, but you have to remember to change the batteries regularly.

Tip #3: Use a Grid Box for Advanced Theft Protection

Metal boxes with grids enhance the safety of the cameras without affecting the view. You’ll have to buy the grid separately, but it will be worth it. Don’t use glasses grid boxes, opt for metal ones instead. Glass grids tend to produce a reflection that affects the imaging.

If you don’t want to spend extra cash on a grid, then you can make one. Some tutorials can help you make your grid using wires that you can collect easily. With a grid, taking off the video system will be harder, and during the process, thieves will attract the attention of your neighbors or passers-by who will call the police.

Tip #4: Back up Your Videos

This option only applies to those who have video security doorbells that don’t have subscriptions. Subscription services usually capture attempts to steal on video, which can be used as evidence when you report the incident to the police. Without such services, you can still get such videos from the memory card.

You, therefore, need to back up those videos to the cloud manually or download them to your local hard disk. Although backing up the videos doesn’t stop theft, it does give you enough evidence to use to recover your security system in case it’s stolen.

Tip #5: Get Insurance

Ensuring your video doorbell is insured doesn’t stop theft nor does it make it harder for a potential thief to take it away. What it does do is ensures you get back your money in case of theft.

It’s advisable to take out insurance as soon as you install the video doorbell. Or contact your insurance agent to see if it is covered under your current policy.

There are several insurance options that you can look at in terms of pricing. Choose one that fits within your budget.

What to Do in Case of Theft

Although the above tips will help you prevent video doorbell theft, sometimes they may fail. Some companies provide warranties that can come in handy because they replace the stolen item, but others don’t. Either way, you need to take measures that will prevent future theft. The following are some steps you can make in case your video doorbell is stolen.

Follow these three important steps:

The first step is filing a police report with your local law enforcement. Not only will you put an investigation in motion, but you’ll also use the report to claim a replacement in case your video doorbell was insured or warranted. You may have to produce the report number during your claim. Most police departments will require that you include pictures of the theft and file them with your report.
The second step is getting evidence of the incident. You can take pictures or download the video. If you had a subscription service, you could get the video recording from your cloud account. If not and you do have a backup, then you can take pictures of the scene. Remember not to contaminate the area by touching anything or moving things around. You can then hand over any evidence you find to the police to speed up the investigation process.
Finally, contact the stolen video doorbell company to send you a replacement device. If your device is under warranty or you have the Ring protect plan, Ring will usually send a free replacement video doorbell as soon as you contact them. If you had insurance, then you can also contact them immediately for a refund of your stolen Ring doorbell. You’ll need a copy of the contract, a copy of the police report, and your ID for the insurance claim. You may wish to include the video evidence or the theft and pictures of the damage to your home as well.

Here’s another story about a video doorbell getting stolen in Phoenix, AZ.

Smarter Home Security

Smart home technology has moved beyond expensive security systems that you can arm with a mobile app. Tools like video doorbells, smart locks, geo-location technology, and more now provide great affordable ways for you to help protect your home and its contents. Yes, these gadgets can be fun but they also serve a purpose and help you stay one step ahead of criminals.

Conclusion – Do Ring Video Doorbells Get stolen?

Despite being a target for thieves, video doorbell security remains the best option when it comes to securing your home. Use the tips above to ensure yours doesn’t become one of the increasingly stolen Ring video doorbells.

There are many video doorbells on the market today which can sometimes be a little bit overwhelming when trying to find the one that suits your needs best. Check out this video doorbell comparison I wrote if you are interested in finding one for your home.

So hopefully by now, I have fully addressed the question Do Ring Video Doorbells Get stolen? Do you already have a Ring Video doorbell? Do you plan to implement any of the tips here? Please leave me a comment below and let me know.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tim Brennan

Tim Brennan, a tech blogger and host of the @TecTimmy YouTube channel, writes about smart homes at oneSmartcrib, home theaters at UniversalRemoteReviews, and AI in writing at Writeinteractive. He holds a Journalism degree from Northeastern University and has covered technology for three decades. He lives on the ocean in Nahant, Massachusetts.

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