New KeyMe App raising security concerns

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - A new smartphone app called KeyMe is designed to take the stress out of losing a key.

But it is also opening new doors for criminals.

Locking your doors is no longer enough to keep tech savvy criminals from getting inside.

This new smartphone application called KeyMe, is giving strangers unprecedented access to your home, car, office -- and to whatever else those keys on your key ring unlock.

“That's kind of scary,” said Craig Kirkwood.

“That's sort of frightening. As students we carry our keys with us around all the time. And someone could get into our dorm room and we'd have no idea,” college student Leah Buck explained.

“I can see where it could certainly, potentially make you vulnerable,” Evelyn Kirkwood said.

Duplicating a key takes just 30 seconds.

The KeyMe user is required to scan a single key, placed on top of a blank white sheet of paper.

You open the app and hit the scan button.

Next, you pay 5.99 and enter your mailing address.

And there you have it, in less than three minutes time; you have successfully ordered a key just by a quick scan.

In three to five business days the key is delivered at your door.

 “You just take one picture, send it and you're in. There's a lot of ways that can be abused,” said Colt Burnett.

Burnett and his roommate said before learning about the KeyMe app, they never thought twice about the dangers of keeping keys out in plain view.

 “If you're not paying attention to what you're doing you can kind of get that stolen from you pretty easily,” said Haleigh Hoffman.

It's a concern echoed by law enforcement.

 “If you leave your keys unattended, especially if you do something like go out, and you're in a social situation, maybe just met somebody and they have this app – they can have a key to your home or apartment pretty quickly,” said South Bend Police Captain Phil Trent.

Local locksmith Alicia Kindley said the app should require much more security, to prevent keys from getting into the wrong hands.

“Everyone's got a smart phone. Take a picture and make a key to your house. Yeah it is kind of scary,” Kindley explained.

Current security measures within the app require the user to take the key off of the key chain and to place it on top of a blank, white sheet of paper.

This is supposed to ensure the user has full possession of the key.

Still though, many have their reservations about just how safe KeyMe really is.

“I think the idea of having access to a duplicate key could be helpful to some folks especially if you're someone that loses your keys all the time. But it seems like there should be some more security applications within the app so that it doesn't automatically get mailed to whoever uses it,” Evelyn Kirkwood said.

While this new application is raising safety concerns, the CEO of KeyMe said there is so much convenience to this application and that it is much more affordable than calling a locksmith to come to your home.