In today's age we love our computers, IPads, smart phones, GPS devices, and so much more. They enable us to work faster, be more efficient and connect more often, all while giving us more free time. They also help us look and feel smarter and more accomplished. But here's something to consider when using electronic technology. It can also create a smarter, more efficient criminal who is connected with information you would never want them to know. Yet most people leave that information unprotected thereby "virtually" giving others permission to rob their home. How are you unprotected and what type of criminal has access to your information you might ask? Norma,l everyday thieves just looking to see what you have left in the open. Let's look at some of the basic items that a thief can steal and use to gain access to your homes, bank accounts, or other personal information.
First is the GPS. Not really something that carries vital information but then again maybe it does. Take for example a story I heard from Florida regarding their GPS being stolen. A couple 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 a GPS 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.
By putting our home address in the GPS we are giving a thief directions right to your home, and if you have a garage remote they just got access to your home. 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.
Second is your mobile phone. Here is another scenario of how a thief works. A friend of mine has changed how she enters her contacts into her phone after having her handbag, which contained her cell phone, credit card, wallet... etc...was stolen. Twenty minutes later in a panic she called her husband, from a store phone telling him what had happened. Her husband then replied “I received your text asking about our PIN number and thinking it was you, I responded back with the number just ten minutes ago.” The couple immediately called to inform the bank, only to discover it was too late. The bank staff told them multiple ATM withdrawals and purchases had just been posted to their account. 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 made several purchases and a cash withdrawal from the account.
Key Points:
-
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.
-
And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked through texts, CONFIRM them by calling back.
-
Also, when you receive 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.
I hope this helps all of you to stay safe, smart and protected. Please feel free to share this with your friends and family as we try to thwart any wrongful acts a thief may attempt against them.
Comments(0)