How thieves use social media to target empty homes

Sharing vacation pics should be fun. These days, with smart phones and apps for just about everything, it’s easy to share your vacation and let all of your Facebook and Instagram friends enjoy it right along with you. But too much sharing via social media can set you up for a home invasion robbery or worse.

In a society where people often overshare on social media, it’s important to be careful what, how much, and when you share information that could make you a target for criminals. One high-profile example: Shortly after Kim Kardashian flaunted a $4.49 million diamond ring on Instagram, thieves tracked her down in her Paris apartment. As this family is a great example of oversharing on social media, it’s also been said that her younger sister, Kylie Jenner, was warned by her security team to stop posting her GPS coordinates on Snapchat because it let pretty much anyone know exactly where she was in real time.

Yes, they are celebrities, but this applies for real-life everyday people as well. One study found that nearly 80% of burglars use social media to plan their heists, while a Nationwide Insurance survey revealed that 41% of homeowners use social media to post updates, share photos or check into locations on Facebook, Twitter or Foursquare while they’re on vacation. And that study was a few years ago, so you know the stats are probably much higher today.

How does posting travel pictures put homeowners here in the Anchorage and Eagle River area at a risk? Well, home invasion robberies can be planned using social media postings that clearly share details ranging from departure flights to resort locations to expected arrivals back home. These details create a Home Invasion 101 blueprint that might just be too tempting to turn down for friends of friends that stumble upon your postings online. They will know when your house is empty and how much time they have.

Next time you plan a trip, have fun! But follow these simple steps for sharing the highlights without returning to find your home devoid of valuables.

1. Wait until you’re safely home to share vacation photos and stories. What happens in Cabo stays in Cabo – at least while you’re still there. Once you’ve returned, then you can share all those fantastic photos from the safety of your own home.
2. Don’t tag or give details about the location of your photos. Typically when you post an update on many social media sites, there is the ability to include your location in the post. Take Twitter, for instance: If you compose a tweet and hit the location icon, you can choose the city and state you’re currently in, or you can turn on “share precise location,” which will share your exact GPS coordinates. While it’s fun to show off that fabulous dessert from your splurge at The French Laundry in Napa Valley, if you live in Wasilla, Alaska, you’re pretty much letting everyone know that your home will be empty for some time.
3. Don’t share your itinerary. This may seem like a given, but innocent comments like “Counting down, only 3 days until San Diego” or “Just touched down, looking forward to 7 days in paradise,” just let the world know your departure and arrival dates.
4. Blog now – publish later: If you’re a blogger, you can still keep a record of the amazing experiences of your vacation, just wait until you’re home to hit the publish button.