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Do You Have a GPS? Please Be Careful

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with AZ Veteran Notary Services CA BRE 01444168

Do You Have a GPS?  Please Be Careful

I received a warning message from the local San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce.  It was not clear if this incident that is being reported actually happened here in San Jacinto, CA or elsewhere.  The information was posted as a warning to be careful with a GPS system, particularly a mobile dash mounted type.

The story unfolds with a family attending a football game at the local high school and their car being broken into.  When the family returned after an exciting 4th Quarter, where the home team upset their cross-town rival in the last 2 minutes everyone was very pumped up and feeling pretty good...until they got to their car.

The car had been broken into and ransacked.  Missing were a number of CD's, a few dollars in spare change, a pair of expensive sunglasses, the dash mounted GPS and the garage door opener.

The thieves took no time checking out the GPS for an entry called "HOME".  They followed the turn-by-turn directions right to the vacant home and popped open the garage with the handy garage door opener and pulled right in, closing the door behind them.

The thieves now had complete access to the home and knew exactly how long before the victims returned home after the football game - without even taking into consideration the near hour that it took to report the crime to campus security and again to the local police.

Our victims' home was ransacked with expensive electronics, cameras, computers, jewelry, artifacts and even cash taken from the home.

THE MORAL OF THIS STORY

GPS is great for what it is intended but please don't label your locations with the obvious, such as home or work.  If you do, then select the nearest major intersection as your destination.  This way if you, or anyone else, want to use they system to find your way home the GPS will take you from where you are to within a few blocks of your home and you will be able to find your way easily from their.  The thieves on the other hand will be stuck in the middle of an intersection trying to figure out what went wrong.


Please share this important information with everyone you know...pass it on...

You Should Also Read:  Do You Have a Cell Phone? Please Be Careful

Posted by

Until Next Time, Have a Blessed Day,

John Occhi, ePRO, REALTOR®
DRE Lic No: 01444168


ePro,John Occhi,www.johnocchi.com,realtor      Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist Logo Awarded to John OcchiFive Star Logo,Certification,REO,Five Star Institute     

Excellence in Real Estate,Team Log,John Occhi,www.johnocchi.com,hemet,san jacinto,CA  

This blog and the contents written here is the intellectual property of John Occhi, Temecula - Murrieta, CA REALTOR® in the South West Riverside County region of the Inland Empire of Southern California.  The views and opinions expressed are just that - views and opinions of John Occhi and those who comment.  Please note that I am not an attorney or a tax professional and any time I discuss either topic, I suggest you consult with the proper professional for relevant assistance. 


I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

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Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

Agree -- a GPS needs to have the Home location be someplace other than your actual home.

Oct 18, 2009 08:23 PM
Laurie Mindnich
Centennial, CO

Uggh- my gps was stolen last week. Guess I should be grateful that it occurred while waiting five minutes for a pizza pick up, and not at an event in which time would provide opportunity...thanks for the sliver lining (I think)...

Oct 18, 2009 09:51 PM
Norma J. Elkins
Elite Realty Group - Morristown, TN
Realtor - Elkins Home Selling Team

Thanks for sharing - I need to change some things in my GPS -- You can never be too careful!

Oct 18, 2009 10:14 PM
Robert Schwabe
Herron Real Estate - Orange Park, FL
Orange Park Real Estate

John - That's scary to hear. I think I might just have to change my home location to a park close by my house. That way I won't have to worry about anybody stealing my GPS.

Oct 19, 2009 02:11 PM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

This has been said before and hopefully everyone is listening. It is amazing what crooks can think of.

Oct 22, 2009 09:50 AM
John Occhi
AZ Veteran Notary Services - Marana, AZ
Mobile Notary Public/Certified Loan Signing Agent

Bob & Caroline - this is good advice - I know I changed mine to the nearest signalized intersection

John

Oct 22, 2009 10:49 AM
John Occhi
AZ Veteran Notary Services - Marana, AZ
Mobile Notary Public/Certified Loan Signing Agent

Options - thanks for lettingus know...Electroincs are stolen every day.  Please make sure you keep you home secure

 

Oct 22, 2009 10:50 AM
John Occhi
AZ Veteran Notary Services - Marana, AZ
Mobile Notary Public/Certified Loan Signing Agent

Norma - Never too careful is the right attitude when it comes to personal safety

John

Oct 22, 2009 10:51 AM
John Occhi
AZ Veteran Notary Services - Marana, AZ
Mobile Notary Public/Certified Loan Signing Agent

Robert - that is an excellent idea...I even thought of changing it to the Police Station - about a mile from where I live...SURPRISE

Oct 22, 2009 10:52 AM
John Occhi
AZ Veteran Notary Services - Marana, AZ
Mobile Notary Public/Certified Loan Signing Agent

Charles, 

You are right - no matter what the good guys come up with the bad guys are looking to take advantage one more step deeper into the sewer.  I guess thats why they are the bad guys

John

Oct 22, 2009 10:54 AM