Almost everyone has considered it at some point: installing a fake security camera to scare off the curious without spending what a real one costs.
The short answer is: it depends who you're up against.
Criminology studies say something fairly logical: robberies tend to happen where the thief believes no one is watching. That feeling alone can make them change their mind.
So yes, a fake camera can deter an opportunist who decides in a few seconds whether it's worth going in. But when whoever intends to rob has already studied the premises or knows how it works, the situation changes completely.
Experienced thieves recognise them
They tend to notice details like the wiring, the camera's movement or the light indicators. As soon as they spot it's a dummy camera, it stops being a security measure and becomes a mere ornament.
This is especially important in hospitality, where many robberies are committed by people who know the business's routine and the till times.
Here you can see our security cameras for hospitality.
The real problem isn't before, but after
If a robbery happens, a fake camera leaves no evidence: no footage, no recordings, no data that can help the police or the insurer.
That's when many people discover that for months they've only had a feeling of security.
That's why more and more businesses combine CCTV with the POS to have greater control of the till and the establishment's activity.
At home the risk is different
In a home located in a quiet area, a fake camera can serve as a deterrent if combined with good lighting and quality locks.
If you'd rather have real footage when you need it, here you can see our cameras for the home.
In a shop, deterring isn't enough
A shop or supermarket at risk of shoplifting needs real footage that lets you identify what happened and provide evidence.
In these cases, a dummy camera isn't only insufficient, it can create a false sense of security.
Here you can see our cameras for shops.
A legal detail many don't know
Even if the camera is fake, if it looks like a CCTV system, it's advisable to put up the corresponding signage to properly inform customers and visitors.
In short
A fake camera can make an opportunist thief change their mind, but it doesn't replace a real CCTV system. When a robbery actually happens, having footage can make all the difference.
It's a cheap solution... until the day you really need a recording.
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