We see these postings on Facebook and Twitter everyday. I've been guilty of it myself. Are we posting too much information on our current whereabouts? For some, it's everyday practice, updating their whereabouts on their social networking sites everytime they change locations. Some have the need to "stay connected" no matter what.
But, at what cost?
'Heading out for the weekend, back on Monday.'
'On my way to the movies to see Shutter Island, can't wait.'
'Disney in the morning. Magic Kingdom here we come.'
Are we too connected, posting too much information on social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook and phone apps like Foursquare and Google Buzz for all the world to see? Do you really know who can, and is, accessing your information? Well, now some thieves are. Some are following your actions to find out your habits, your schedule, when you'll be away.
Are we providing others with too much information about ourselves?
Have you seen the new website, Please Rob Me? It has an automatic feed to Twitter. Everytime someone posts an entry about going out for the day, the evening, the weekend, it comes up on the Please Rob Me message board of empty houses that are easy prey for thieves. It's scary.
The website was created by a man that had his home broken into and wants to raise awareness of how much private information people are really giving out about themselves.
So, the next time you're heading out for the weekend, call or text your close friends and family to let them know before you go. And, post your pictures and tell online friends about your trip AFTER YOU GET HOME!
Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate
Brevard County, Florida's Space Coast Real Estate & Investing
I specialize in Residential, Investment & Relocations.
We have a team of professionals that can help with your Short Sale.
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that for you
You definitely need to be careful about what you share. For security purposes, I only have real friends on my Facebook list and nobody else can see anything on my profile.
I am alway conscious of this. This is important information.
Featured in the Group "Whacked!!!"
This is great information, Sandy. I do think some folks get carried away with their updates. Thanks for raising awareness on this issue. You do have to be careful, and the PLEASE ROB ME site was downright scary!
You are right. Report 'after' you get home.
About other types of postings on FB, I have seen some really tactless comments people make about family members. Don't they know that this stuff stays out there forever. If you are mad at your husband or wife, stifle it! FB is not the place to vent.
Sarah
www.HouseInNashville.com
Some people are "juicier" than others so they need to Twit their local. When they FB they're at the store I'd like to have them pick up a few things for me. But that would be too personal, I guess?
Take Farmville for instance, seems innocent enough, right. Odds are you're being placed under scrutiny by someone, bet on it!
Hi Sandy
Your post reminded me of my neice last summer. We had rented out a beach house and there on FB for all was a post about "being gone from the house for an entire week!"
Ah, youth.....not only wasted on the young but loaded with inexperience. She might as well of nailed a sign to a tree in the front yard "Gone for a week. Take what you need". I guess I should be happy she didn't add "visit my Uncle Terry's house, too".
I realize it's probably a generational thing, but it's no one's business where I am or what I'm doing. Constant contact isn't my thing. Privacy is.
Sandy, You make some absolutely wonderful points.....I can't believe when people are announcing their vacation and don't mention there will be someone staying at the house (to take care of their very large dogs). Even funerals, I'm sorry to say, are an open invitation. Great reminder for so many.
Sandy, great points. I have very mixed feelings about Facebook and twitter and some of the personal information posted on those sites.
Sandy, this is not only a very helpful post, it is a much needed public service announcement!!
You know this is such a valid point. In November 2008, my wife and I were out of town and someone broke into our house and robbed it. We finally isolated who it was, and it was a guy who used to do yardwork for us. He had come by my wifes place of work and asked to see her, and someone told him that we were out of town. Turns out he was using drugs, and when he heard we were gone, he came to our house and kicked in the back door and stole all of our DVD's.
Hi Sandy, You're absolutely right. Even here at AR I cringe when I see some posts with TMI !
Eric, We do have to be so careful today in what we post online.
Richard, Thanks for the feature. I think often, while being on the internet so much, it's a good reminder to all of us.
Bruce, When I first looked at the Please Rob Me site it was pretty shocking. I think often people are just trying to stay connected, without thinking that there could be someone out there looking for that "perfect" opportunity,
Sarah, Good reminder, that all that info pretty much stays out there for a good long time. I know for some, it's cost them their jobs.
Ross, Today, it seems that so many are trying to "stay connected" no matter what.
Kevin, Okay, I'll admit it - I still don't really "get" the whole farmville thing. I graciously decline the invitations.
Terry, Uh-oh, that's not good at all. Your niece was really inviting trouble. We've really got to monitor what our teens are doing. Often they really don't realize "how connected" they really are, and who is viewing that information.
Carole, Great point - just a small trip could be an opening to tell someone, come on over.
Gabe, It seems to be the "new" world we're in. But, like anything else, there's always someone out there to prey on the innocent.
Caren, Thanks, it is information that we should get out to the public. And that appears to be what the founder of the Please Rob Me website is doing - trying to make people more aware of just how much info they are giving out.
Michael, Oh no, that's terrible. So often, they say that robberies can be by someone that knows you personally and knows your whereabouts. Once you're house is robbed, you never feel the same again.
Mary, Another great point! So true. We are putting the information out there for all the public to see. We have to remain cautious about what we are posting.
Sandy - You have hit on important issues with our obsessive "need" to feel connected. It can leave us vulnerable, when we don't always think it through.
I am not a fan of Twitter, because I feel anything that has to be said in so few characters, probably doesn't - or shouldn't be said at all. For example, you Tweet, "I'm shopping at the mall." That equates to, "I'm not home, come burlarize me."
I saw this on the news too, wow do they make a great point, that is why I just try to stick to business and never give out to much information.
Sandy, If this were not so tragic you might see it on NBC prime time! No body needs to know your every move...
Myrl, We have to be so careful today about the type of information we are posting.
Jesse, This Please Rob Me site really does hit right to home, doesn't it? It is scary stuff.
Paul, I don't understand, when someone has to Twitter that they are on their way to the grocery store. Who cares?
Sandy, I had heard about this odd web site but in a sense it is making everyone aware how powerful the Internet is. There still could be someone home with a shotgun or that big dog behind the door so I don't know how serious everyone takes this.Those going on long vacations and telling everyone the details, that might be different.
Sandy I don't like putting any of my personal life on twitter or facebook.