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NOW HEAR THIS...NOT ALL THIEVES ARE STUPID!!

By
Title Insurance with Family Abstract, Inc.
1.  A friend of a friend left their car in the http://www.familyabstract.comlong-term parking at San Jose while away, and someone broke into the car. Using the information on the car's registration in the glove compartment, they drove the car to the people's home in Pebble Beach and robbed it. So I guess if we are going to leave the car in long-term parking, we should not leave the registration/insurance cards in it, nor your remote garage door opener.
This gives us something to think about with all our new electronic technology.

2.  GPS.
A couple of weeks ago a friend told me that someone she  knew had their car broken into while they were at a football game.  Their car was parked on the green which was adjacent to the football stadium and specially allotted to football fans.  Things stolen from the car included a garage door remote control, some money and aGPS which had been prominently mounted on the dashboard.  When the victims got home, they found that their house had been ransacked and just about everything worth anything had been stolen.  The thieves had used the GPS to guide them to the house.  They then used the garage remote control to open the garage door and gain entry to the house.  The thieves knew the owners were at the football game, they knew what time the game was scheduled to finish and so they knew how much time they had to clean out the house.  It would appear that they had brought a truck to empty the house of its contents.

Something to consider if you have a GPS - don't put your home address in it... Put a nearby address (like a store or gas station) so you can still find your way home if you need to, but no one else would know where you live if your GPS were stolen.

3.  MOBILE PHONES

I never thought of this.......

This lady has now changed her habit of how she lists her names on her mobile phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag, which contained her cell phone, credit card, wallet, etc., was stolen.  20 minutes later when she called her hubby, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says 'I received your text asking about our Pin number and I've replied a little while ago.'  When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn.  The thief had actually used the stolen cell phone to text 'hubby' in the contact list and got hold of the pin number.  Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account.

Moral of the lesson:

    a.  Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list.  Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mom, etc....

    b.  And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked through texts, CONFIRM by calling back.

    c.  Also, when you're being texted by friends or family to meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them.  If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet 'family and friends' who text you.

Brought to you as a public service announcement from your Family at Family Abstract, Inc.
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About Family Abstract, Inc.

Established in 2002, Family Abstract, Inc. provides Title Insurance to clients and customers throughout Florida, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania with more than 40 years of combined experience in management alone. We pride ourselves on retaining the most skilled and knowledgeable employees who share our goals of providing the best service in the industry.

Located in Horsham, Pennsylvania, Family Abstract, Inc. maintains an extensive network of skilled title insurance abstractors in all the states we service in addition to a nationwide network of qualified closing agents who are available to close loans at any location.

Backed by the strength of four title insurance underwriters, we are able to provide expert attention to detail without sacrificing versatility in the closing process, thus providing more options in difficult title situations. Due to our depth of industry knowledge and commitment to excellent service, Family Abstract, Inc. has been able to develop client relationships that have endured for decades.

Having successfully settled and insured thousands of transactions, we have already earned the trust and confidence of hundreds of customers, lenders, brokers, and realtors and now we would like to share our expertise with you!

John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Glenn... It's a sad time we live in when such things happen and on such a regular basis.  I hate living in a state of paranoia but it's today's reality.  Suggested.

Feb 20, 2013 03:04 AM
Glenn Freezman
Family Abstract, Inc. - Horsham, PA

John, the problem is that the theives are getting better at it as we, as americans, are not paying atention to the crumbs of information we are leaving behind.

Feb 20, 2013 03:17 AM
Jean Hanley
Coldwell Banker Kivett Teeters - Hemet, CA
Specializing in Folks Who Want To Buy/Sell Homes

WOW!  Good info you have here.  I am very careful not to even leave my garage remote in my car when I go to the car wash.  Paranoid, I suppose

Feb 20, 2013 03:49 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Glenn, Superb information. How easy it is to piece all the parts together. Yikes!

Feb 20, 2013 06:19 AM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Some ActiveRain God needs to pay attention to this and Feature it.............everyone should read this information Glenn.  Great stuff..............crazy world we live in today.

Feb 20, 2013 07:24 AM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

Glenn, thanks for the post today. There's craziness out there, but which we can all learn what not to do. 

Feb 20, 2013 07:46 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Glenn,

Excellent information! I'm suggesting this post..so relevant sadly to our current environment!

Feb 20, 2013 10:28 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Glenn - this is one of those horrible but oh so true posts that everyone needs to read and spread the word.   

Feb 20, 2013 10:43 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Long ago, I put the Police Station as my "Home" in the GPS.

But thanks to your Blog, I have a lot of work to do!   Especially about the Registration and the Garage Door Opener!

Feb 20, 2013 11:02 AM
Glenn Freezman
Family Abstract, Inc. - Horsham, PA

Gene, Paranoia saves lives, keep doing it.

William, the bad guys are getting good at it, and we are becoming more complacent.

Roger, Or maybe even the "SON" of the active rain God? LOL

Pamela, this stuff is critical to pass around, it's to simple to know.

Dorie, maybe between you and Roger, others will see this post, thanks!

Michael, I couldn't agree more

Roger, that's great for the police.  On my medical card where it asked for who to call in case of Emergency, I listed DOCTOR!

Feb 20, 2013 10:09 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good evening Glenn. This is an incredibly import post and I can't believe it hasn't been featured yet. A great deal to think about. Thank You.

Feb 21, 2013 07:07 AM
Than Maynard
Coldwell Banker Heart of Oklahoma - Purcell, OK
Broker - Licensed to List & Sell - 405-990-8862

Nope, a lot of criminals are street smart, but are too lazy to be productive members of society and some even get elected into political office.

Feb 21, 2013 11:05 PM
Glenn Freezman
Family Abstract, Inc. - Horsham, PA

Sheila, I'm starting to take it personally   :( Your the froth person that suggested it, I must have done something to upset "Their" god!

Feb 21, 2013 11:17 PM
Glenn Freezman
Family Abstract, Inc. - Horsham, PA

Than, hahhhaha that, is a great comment!

Feb 21, 2013 11:17 PM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

Oh, boy! Is this ever good information. I've made several of those mistakes you mention.

Feb 25, 2013 04:20 AM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Glenn, Thatnks to Pamela's reblog that I saw your post.  Good info that can keep a bad situation from getting worse.  I've even read where one could put the local police station as the home address in the GPS.

All the best.

Gloria

Mar 03, 2013 04:57 AM