How secure and safe is your collection against theft?

[Mikevague]

Hi Everyone,

Long time since I've posted, hope you've all been well.

I touched on this subject in Ted Massey's thread already, however theres a few things I'd like to share about how it came to pass for me.

Some hard lessons...

We collectors have an urge to share our music with others. Unfortunately, there are wolves in the sheep's den. More than seems comfortable..

How it happened to me...
I let 2 younger dealer/collectors into my world. They had charm, good sense of humor, and wanted to travel with me to the out of town record fairs. The idea of splitting costs on the overhead, and having another set of eyes on the tables seemed logical. They watched me buy and sell very rare and expensive items and were able to inflitrate my lifelong contact list. 

Anytime you leave your keyring unattended you risk someone impressioning or photographing them for future duplication. There are also cheap electronic devices that will copy your garage or car alarm signals.

I found out the hard way.

A majority of records stolen from my garage were removed from the front roll up door with a copied signal (static code, rolling code is better but also can be hacked).

Dozens of boxes of rare items.

The thieves also gained entry for a long time through air vents on my roof, easily removed and put back.

This went on for almost 6 years without me seeing it directly. I'd notice things missing and assume they were misplaced. 

What tipped me off was seeing both these fellows selling records that I was missing at shows and online. Their behavior became different as well.

I also got random reports about similar behavior from other high profile dealers. 

Upon confronting them, the light trickle of theft turned into a flood. Thousands of rare records started vanishing around the clock, as well as wif fi hacks, telephone and computer problems, etc. 

Over 3500 photos (mostly of my new daughter) were deleted from my Icloud. They defeated my cctv and ring cameras. No footage of any crime.

As I informed people ,the gaslighting started. Both thieves went on a huge mission to demean my family's integrity and sanity. Lots of my records were scattering everywhere. The big US ebay auctioneers got a LOT and had fences helping (I know who they are too). I have no doubt many members here wound up with records stolen from us and didn't know. Not their fault...

This may have been prevented if I didn't trust these liars, and if my security was better. 

Word to the wise, look into that ASAP. I was targeted and hit, and it wasn't that difficult. I've spent $80,000 since to bar up all windows and doors, better cameras, alarms, barbed wire, double high security deadbolts, etc.

They have not been arrested and are very actively selling my collection, getting very wealthy. All over. The fair booking agents and buyers want proof they are guilty, but thats very difficult when the local police don't prioritize the proof I've submitted. California is in hell with theft everywhere, and your records mean nothing to the police. They also expect you to have a full list of whats gone, and that you marked all of the discs with your own markings. How many of you have that in place, and would you be able to prove they stole it when it pops up? They can say they bought them from a local homeless guy. Like a local Long Beach record store kept saying as I asked him to help me. 

They have a loose network helping fence the records, it really is organized crime. I never thought this could happen.  

There have been threats of lawsuits for defamation of character so I'm not at liberty to give the names of the culprits, but I will hint they are from the LA/ Long Beach are of California, and sell in 2 months at the Den Bosch Record fair. Theres not many US dealers there, so do the math. They are low key but supply several high profile shops and instagram users. I'm not their only victim BTW.  I'm still building my case. Its not over.

There are people on our forum who know who they are. They can post their names if they wish.

Buy better security for your setup ASAP. They know most of us live in homes with $50 locks, which are rubbish.

Thank you for reading,

MIke

 

 

 

 

[Bo Diddley]

Hi Mike,

I bought a number of things from you years ago when you used eBay.

Really sorry to read about this. Being screwed over by people you trust can take years to come to terms with. It's a double hit - financially and mentally. 

I hope this you are able to get some sort of satisfaction and resolution.

Kev Bod

[Mikevague]

Thank you, yes it is. The good news is I spend more time with my daughter, and have become more in tune with the most high and theology.

A new breed of post cyber hacker scum are on the prowl in our community. I'm confident many readers here are seeing how vulnerable we can be. That's the point of this post. Share your patches if you've been hit.

 

[Soul Shrews]

Mike, as I did earlier I will pass this on to collecters here in Holland.

I don"t go to den Bosch but know plenty that do.

Again sorry to hear this from a good honest dealer as yourself.

Good luck with your investigations>

Cheers Paul

[Ted Massey]

I'm sorry to hear of your problems Mike criminals have no shame and that is what they are, just like the ones who broke in to my house and then passed them on to the Soulie that employed them to do it. There's still a 20k reward available and even that has not loosed lips enough to get 100% proof as of yet. Even when one turned up on Face Book they denied knowledge.