I have just had my video doorbell stolen

[fourfoxsakes]

I have a eufy doorbell that has been stolen tonight and as someone has taken it it is now showing as offline on my app and I cannot see any previous data or recordings making it effectively useless as a safety feature! Aibu that these doorbells are mis sold as increasing security when as soon as they are taken all the evidence is removed with it unless you pay for a cloud backup subscription? I am now left wondering who has been creeping around my property and what is the reason for them taking it, are they planning to come back and try and steal my car or burgle my house? I live alone on a dead end so don’t think it was a chancer. I am lying awake worried now.

I’m sorry to read this. I also live alone, so I completely understand how you feel. I’ve got cameras positioned high up, out of reach, that I can access from my iPad. They cost a bit more money to install but are absolutely worth it.

Irony

If I would have known that it could be erased that easily I would have paid for the backup.

Get wired cameras high up.

so did you not see the person who took it? I had one stolen too years ago. He was filmed stealing it because that’s how it works. He actually was arrested for it too

No because I was asleep so when I went to look back at the recording on the app it was gone because the camera had been taken so was no longer online and connected to the WiFi

This is now all I can see

Some brands make it impossible to take ownership of the doorbell / camera if not using the device you signed up with originally. I recommend that. I also have one camera that covers my front porch but it’s kept behind the window, looking out, to avoid theft. Hope these ideas help!

@fourfoxsakes
This is the exact reason we didn't go for a ring doorbell, it could be damaged or stolen.
We bought a set of camera's, for front and back, with motion activated lights for just over £300 from Amazon.
Really easy to install, DP did it himself.
Im not surprised it's unnerved you, I'd definitely look into investing in a set of camera's, if you have no-one to install them you could put a shout out on social media, our local residents page is really useful for this type of thing

Sorry this has happened OP. It’s scary when you live alone

I think it’s pretty obvious that this is a risk with this type of device? Ours is literally stuck to the front door with tape.

We have a ring and It did help when someone tried to burgle us in the middle of the night -but we had the subscription. Can you not review footage without a subscription?

you can get ring stick up cameras as week they are easy and affordable.

we now have a full wired CCTV system since we moved. If it were just me if get the ring and the ring cameras. Wired cameras are not simple to install!!

i am sorry OP. Unnerving feeling is awful. We have a camera as we had decided against doorbells. Ours is a subscription at £30 for a year. Our camera is up on our garage, a little out of sight but records what we need it to.

Do you not have the homebase 2 with it?

Why would they steal it unless it’s to come back and burgle, or steal from another house if your doorbell would be in view of that?

I'm afraid you made assumptions about its functionality which were incorrect, but I appreciate that it's a bit of a mine field.

Next time either buy one with cloud storage, or one that can store the data inside your house that will be accessible if the physical doorbell is removed.

It would be prudent to test you can still access the footage once the doorbell has been disconnected.

I also have a wired CCTV system that records internally, it's been an essential tool to help keep our family (and neighbours) safe which is a priority for me.