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Atlanta Home Inspector shares a safety tip.

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Home Inspector with IHI Home Inspections 404-788-2581

I don't know if the below story is true or not but I received it and it really got me to thinking.  With the new wave of everyone texting now days instead of actually calling on the phone, the below story could happen.  Being an Atlanta Home Inspector, if I know that the lady of the home is going to be there alone, than many times I will suggest my wife go with me just to make sure that everyone is comfortable and so that the lady will feel safe.  I will try and get my wife to go with me any time I have to meet a lady in general just so there is no uncomfortable feelings.  Safety is such an important issue and I just wanted to share the below with you.

This lady has 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've just received your text asking about our Pin number and I 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When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn.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  Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account.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: Do not disclose the relationship between you u and the people in your contact list. Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mom, etc...  And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked through texts, CONFIRM by calling back.  Also, when you get a text from 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.

 

So you tell me, what do you think, personally I wouldn't give out my pin in a text, and I would think the wife should have known it. 

David Lelak of IHI Home Inspections serves Canton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Woodstock, Atlanta and all of North Georgia.  Be sure to visit us at www.AskYourGeorgiaHomeInspector.com

You can also schedule your own home inspection today at www.ihihomeinspections.com

We create Peace of Mind ONE Home Inspection at a time. 

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Comments (9)

Mary McCleskey & Michelle Gumeny
Assist-2-Sell, Home Buyers & Sellers Realty, Inc. - Acworth, GA

Thanks for the great advice! My husband would probably have also texted me the pin number without thought.

Apr 22, 2008 01:33 PM
Associate Broker Falmouth MA Cape Cod Heath Coker
https://teamcoker.robertpaul.com - Falmouth, MA
Heath Coker Berkshire Hathaway HS Robert Paul Prop

It is amazing how people thinkof these things.  If theywould apply themselves topositive things, I wonder how much they could make?  Thanx for the info.

Apr 22, 2008 01:36 PM
Selling Homes in Western New York, Licensed Real Estate Broker, Terri Kern
Turning Key Realty - East Amherst, NY
Terri Kern, Broker, Turning Key Realty
Great Post.  I think it's good information.  I refer to my hubby as "Cowboy" on my  contact list.  I think I'm safe????  Thanks for making me think.
Apr 22, 2008 01:38 PM
Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS
Pretty scary, David, my husband doesn't text, but my daughters and I do.  You might add - go back through old texts to see if you have left any valuable info in your cell phone, in case it gets 'lost'.  I just did and found a credit card pin that I texted to my daughter weeks ago!
Apr 22, 2008 01:40 PM
Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS
Pretty scary, David, my husband doesn't text, but my daughters and I do.  You might add - go back through old texts to see if you have left any valuable info in your cell phone, in case it gets 'lost'.  I just did and found a credit card pin that I texted to my daughter weeks ago!
Apr 22, 2008 01:40 PM
Atlanta's Home Inspector, David Lelak IHI Home Inspections
IHI Home Inspections 404-788-2581 - Canton, GA
Experience the IHI Difference
Mary & Michelle, some times us guys are like that, I guess it would depend on a lot of things on if I would send it or not, but really I'm safe, I don't text.
Apr 22, 2008 01:45 PM
Atlanta's Home Inspector, David Lelak IHI Home Inspections
IHI Home Inspections 404-788-2581 - Canton, GA
Experience the IHI Difference
Heath, they might be the next inventor of something like electricity if applied correctly.  Thanks for stopping by and commenting,
Apr 22, 2008 01:46 PM
Atlanta's Home Inspector, David Lelak IHI Home Inspections
IHI Home Inspections 404-788-2581 - Canton, GA
Experience the IHI Difference
Terri, I think you're safe with cowboy.  Thanks for stopping by and commenting,
Apr 22, 2008 01:47 PM
Atlanta's Home Inspector, David Lelak IHI Home Inspections
IHI Home Inspections 404-788-2581 - Canton, GA
Experience the IHI Difference
Virginia, wow I hadn't even thought about that, you're right tho, we need to go back and delete stuff in case we lose our phone.  Thanks for adding that in and making us think about it even more.
Apr 22, 2008 01:49 PM