Protecting Your Home from Thieves During the Holidays

Smartphones, digital cameras and the increase in social media sites all make it easier to share information with “friends” and
“followers.” During the holiday season, Allstate warns consumers that
growing comfort with and trust in social media may increase the risk
of theft due to information shared.

Whether it’s “check ins” using geo-location services on the latest
shopping spree, travel plan updates, or even photos uploaded while at
a holiday party, people may be unknowingly giving today’s “digital
thieves” greater insight into their lives. Status updates or recent
tweets might alert thieves to the contents of your car’s trunk, times
you’re away from home and even the holiday gifts hiding in your
closet.

“While social media sites can be great ways to connect with those you
care about, if you aren’t careful they can become treasure troves for
burglars,” said London B. Bradley, West Central’s Regional Sales
Leader. “As social networks continue to increase in popularity, so
does the unprecedented amount of personal information released for
public consumption. Posting about travel, shopping and new gifts tends
to increase during the holiday season, but people should be mindful.
You never know who might be watching.”

To help prevent theft, Allstate recommends considering the following
precautions when using social media this holiday season:

· Turn off automatic locating functions. Most social media
sites with geo-location and tracking functionalities have options to
turn them off.

· Review your privacy settings. Make sure you understand who
you are broadcasting your information to each time you post. If you
are not comfortable with what people can see about you, change your
settings.

· Delay uploading pictures until returning home. Thieves may
be able to view details about smart phone pictures, such as where the
picture was taken and at what time. Posting pictures in real time lets
others know you’re not at home.

· Be aware of photo and video backgrounds. Avoid making videos
that reveal house numbers, identifying auto or other information
telling others exactly where you live.

· Be careful of where you “check in.” If checking in at
various locations as you shop or dine, use precaution. You may be
alerting a thief to goodies in your car’s trunk. Consider checking-in
as you leave or at every other location.

· @SafetyTip: Keep your #travel plans offline. Although it may
be hard not to start the long-awaited vacation countdown or brag to
friends with a photo from the beach, this information also can tell
thieves when you’re away. Save the vacation details for your return.

· If you must update, don’t be specific. If you stop updating
while on vacation, will friends and followers immediately fear the
worst and contact the authorities? If so, just post a quick update
that says you’ll be offline for a while.

· Maintain that lived-in look. While traveling, take
precautions to deter burglars. Ask a neighbor to park in your
driveway, stop paper delivery, set-up timers for household lights, and
lock up.

· Keep expensive gifts quiet. Despite excitement about the new
tablet or gaming system received this year, resist the temptation to
post updates about any big ticket items new to the household. Instead,
update your home inventory to include them.

· Don’t provide personal information. Never post your home
address or birth year on a social networking site, regardless of your
privacy settings. And, don’t assume that because your information
isn’t online that a thief can’t find you or make you vulnerable to
identity theft.

Many people aren't aware of the information they may be inadvertently
sharing when they post updates or images on social networking sites;
information that could be good for bad people. By using a little extra
caution and common sense, you can help keep your home, your car and
your identity safe.

Information courtesy of Allstate Insurance Company