WESTON, Fla. -- Bump keys were previously a trade secret of locksmiths, but now word is starting to leak out to some worried homeowners.

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"We're going to use the same methods, same way they're talking about on the video," locksmith Roger Vega said. "And give a little turn on it."

Vega didn't even need Broward homeowner Angel Cuellar's key to get into his home. He used something called a bump key to open Cuellar's deadbolt lock.

"He did open the door with it. It's kind of surprising," Cuellar said.

The keys work by designing the ridges in a special way. This has been a locksmith trade secret, now homeowners are hearing about bump keys and they are worried that thieves will too.

"The bottom lock, he was able to open that very easily," Cuellar said.

Vega compared the bump key he made with Angel's house key and there is a significant difference in the type of patterns on the keys, yet the door opened.

"Does it surprise you that it worked on this particular lock?" NBC 6's Willard Shepard asked.

"Well, it surprises me now looking at the pattern on the cuts on it," Cuellar said. "Yeah, it surprised me."

NBC 6 wanted to see if the key would work in other locks and went to different homes in Weston, with the homeowners' permission.

At two other homes, the key didn't work.

Vega also tested the key in locks at his shop. His conclusion: In older, less expensive locks a bump key at times would work.

"If they're cheap locks, it could possibly work," Vega said.

Vega's advice is to spend more than the traditional $100 or so for a standard lock and upgrade to one that will stop any phony keys.

Also, get a high security lock or at the very minimum re-key the lock with a different key pattern.

Resident Betty Ayers said she worries that a thief with a bump key could get in without a trace.

"You'd be wondering how they got in my house," Ayers said.

She's protecting her home with a Medeco lock. Experts say it can't be breached.

"You feel better knowing you have one of these special locks?" Shepard asked.

"Yes, I am so glad I have that lock on my door," she said.

Vega said he does not think the bump keys are a serious threat for use by thieves and the locksmiths' trade group agrees. South Florida police had no comment.