Property crime remains a problem in the United States. According to data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting statistics, the FBI reported a 7.1% increase in property crime in 2023 versus 2022, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau counted more than one million motor vehicles stolen—the highest level since 2008. Survey-based results from the Bureau of Justice Statistics also show household property crime victimization increased from 2022 to 2023, underscoring continued risk even as local trends vary.
But it’s not all bad news. With the right precautions, homeowners can significantly decrease their risk of being targeted by thieves and increase their peace of mind. And while leaving the lights on, trimming the hedges, and making sure a car was in the driveway helped deter potential problems, a recent survey of current and former burglars found one consistent piece of advice: install a security system. Today, pairing that advice with standards-based alarm verification (for example, TMA AVS‑01), on‑device AI and end‑to‑end encrypted video options (see HomeKit Secure Video), and radar‑assisted motion filtering (e.g., Ring’s 3D Motion Detection) can reduce false alarms and improve response prioritization.
It’s no surprise, then, that homeowners are both buying and reselling home security gear. But buying or selling used gear comes with a potential problem: Risk. What if the equipment doesn’t work as advertised or your personal data is exposed? In this guide to reselling home security gear, we’ll talk about common pitfalls, tackle risk avoidance, and offer actionable, research-backed advice—covering subscription cancellations under the FTC’s updated Negative Option Rule, security labeling signals like the FCC’s U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, device deprovisioning and data sanitization aligned to NIST SP 800‑88, and vulnerability and compliance checks using resources such as CISA’s KEV Catalog and the FCC’s rules on marketing radiofrequency devices (47 CFR §2.803).
The Risks of Selling Your Home Security Gear
Once you’ve decided to upgrade security cameras, panels, or sensors, you’ve got to decide what happens to your old equipment. If you’re using the same security provider, the company may let you return or trade in equipment; otherwise, you’re responsible for safe resale or disposal. Before you list anything, remove it from cloud accounts, follow the OEM’s account‑transfer steps (many brands—e.g., Nest, Ring, Arlo—require unlinking before a new owner can enroll), and screen for compliance risks: verify RF devices carry valid authorization per 47 CFR §2.803, avoid inventory from entities implicated by the FCC’s Covered List, and check the CPSC recall database (Resale guidance) so you don’t unknowingly resell recalled items. Specialized optics (e.g., night vision) may trigger export controls under the U.S. Munitions List Category XII.
Selling it online offers a great way to make some extra cash, but homeowners need to recognize potential risks, such as:
- Existing subscriptions: If you’re currently paying for a subscription service for an app-connected camera or entry system and forget to cancel it, you could unknowingly be paying for the buyers subscription if you forget to cancel. Under the FTC’s Negative Option Rule, sellers should provide clear, easy cancellation; as the account holder, disable auto‑renew, cancel recording plans, and confirm that devices no longer appear under your profile.
- Privacy concerns: Applications and software connected to wireless cameras or sensors may still report alerts or live data to your smartphone, in turn, giving you unwanted access to the security of the new owner. Many providers retain cloud archives unless you delete them; review retention settings, purge stored clips/logs, and consider enabling end‑to‑end encryption where available (Google Nest E2EE) before transfer. Be aware that cloud‑stored content and metadata can be accessible via lawful requests; transparency about access pathways is an important privacy consideration (ENISA).
- Persistent data: Effective security systems depend on data. If you forget to delete this data—everything from name and address information to schedules and passcodes—from your security devices, would end up at the buyer’s hands. Go beyond a simple reset by sanitizing local media (NVR HDDs, SD/eMMC) using NIST SP 800‑88 methods, and clear protocol bindings (remove Z‑Wave/Zigbee associations, reset HomeKit/Matter fabric credentials, and wipe smart lock/garage rolling codes and biometrics).
How to Avoid Risks of Reselling
While reselling any home security gear comes with risk, it’s possible to reduce the impact by:
- Factory resetting equipment: Most security equipment offers a “factory reset” option that restores it to default settings. Some have hardware switches or buttons that you must press for a set length of time, while other internet-connected devices require you to access specific websites and enter unique product codes to reset key functions. Pair the reset with NIST‑aligned media sanitization (SP 800‑88), revoke app tokens, and deprovision radios and fabrics (e.g., unpair Z‑Wave/Zigbee, clear HomeKit and Matter credentials). For locks and openers, delete all users and regenerate rolling codes/biometrics.
- Canceling subscriptions: Contact your security system provider and cancel all subscriptions. Make sure you pay any balance you owe and then confirm that your access was rescinded. Disable auto‑renew and verify cancellation through your account per the FTC’s “click‑to‑cancel” standard in the Negative Option Rule; save confirmations to your records.
- Deleting all data: Make sure to delete all personal data from security gear before selling it. In some cases, this service is available through your mobile application, while other equipment may require you to access specific websites (often listed on the back of the device) before you can delete your data. Also purge cloud video and event histories, request account data deletion where offered, and document the sanitization (date, media, method) for your listing. Recognize that cloud content may have law‑enforcement access pathways; minimizing retained data mitigates this risk (ENISA).
The Risks of Buying Used Home Security Gear
There are also inherent risks that come with buying used home security gear, including:
- Potential hacking vulnerabilities: Not all devices offer the same level of defense against connected threats. Some use hard-coded (unchangeable) login and password details, meaning that if hackers gain access they could lock you out of your own system. Many cameras/NVRs and small-office routers appear in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog; end‑of‑support models or those with unpatched CVEs are higher risk.
- Malware infections: Malicious programs that steal data or damage devices are on the rise. If your used gear has a known IT security flaw, it could be at risk. Tampered firmware and insecure peer‑to‑peer services can expose your network; avoid models that cannot be updated or secured.
- Previous owner access: If sellers don’t disable account access or cancel subscriptions, they could still have control of your system. Many ecosystems require prior de‑registration to prevent “activation lock”; without it, setup can fail or leave access paths open.
- Defective devices: Most used security devices are sold “as is,” which means, if they’re damaged, you’re not getting your money back. In addition, some categories cannot be legally marketed if they lack proper authorization or have been recalled—RF devices must comply with 47 CFR §2.803, and recalled products should be screened via the CPSC recall database.
How to Avoid Risks of Buying
You can help reduce potential security risks with four simple steps:
- Talk to your new home security provider: If you’re planning to connect used gear with your existing security system, call your provider to make sure this is a) allowed and b) you know how to properly link existing and new devices. Confirm the model is still supported for updates and monitoring; ask whether your plan supports video verification and AVS‑01 style prioritization, and whether permits are required locally. For RF devices, avoid brands/models implicated by the FCC’s Covered List for public‑sector use cases.
- Reset all passwords: Factory reset all devices and passwords, even if the previous owner says they’ve completed this step. Update to the latest firmware, change default credentials, disable unnecessary services (e.g., UPnP/P2P), remove Z‑Wave/Zigbee pairings, and clear HomeKit/Matter credentials. Isolate new devices on a separate SSID/VLAN and secure your router per CISA IoT guidance.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication adds another step to the login process, usually in the form of a one-time text message code to frustrate hacker efforts. Enable it on all related cloud accounts. Prefer products that carry or are preparing for the FCC’s U.S. Cyber Trust Mark label, and use optional end‑to‑end encryption for cameras where available (Nest E2EE), noting potential feature trade‑offs.
- Contact the original equipment manufacturer: Not sure how to reset devices or erase data? Contact the equipment manufacturer directly for help. Ask them to verify the device is unlinked from prior accounts, confirm current support/patch status, and provide any model‑specific transfer steps. For wireless devices, confirm the FCC ID/authorization status and check for outstanding recalls (47 CFR §2.803; CPSC Resale).
What’s Next?
Reselling home security gear is now common practice for sellers to recoup some money spent and buyers to get a great deal. As you build or refresh a system in 2025, look for clear security assurances and lifecycle transparency: the FCC’s U.S. Cyber Trust Mark (U.S. label rolling out in 2025), the UK’s in‑force PSTI requirements (guidance), and the CSA’s IoT Device Security program (IoT Device Security 1.0) signal baseline practices like unique credentials, secure updates, and published support windows. Favor systems with on‑device AI, optional E2EE/local storage (HomeKit Secure Video), radar‑assisted motion where useful (3D Motion Detection), Thread/Matter sensors (Matter), cellular backup, and monitoring that supports video verification and AVS‑01 scoring. Compare total cost of ownership and support lifecycles: common pro‑monitoring prices in 2025 include about $20/month for Ring Protect Pro (plans), ~$22.99/month for Abode Pro (abode plans), ~$29.99/month for SimpliSafe Fast Protect (SimpliSafe), and pro‑installed options like Vivint starting around $39.99/month plus per‑camera fees (Vivint pricing).
Need help finding your security best fit? Start with our multi-product review of the best home security systems on the market.
