Tuesday, October 1, 2013

How Social Media Can Make You a Victim of Crime



Actually, it's not social media that makes you a victim; it's YOU who make yourself a victim by how you use social media.

Would you stand in front of the ATM at the bank and flash a wad of dollar bills for everyone to see?
Probably not, right?  No, that would be like asking to be robbed.

But when you flash high-dollar items, gold, jewelry, new electronics on your Twitter and Facebook, or Instagram, you are telling the WORLD what you have.

Social media has made some people immodest and down-right ostentatious in their social networking, and that can make them vulnerable to crime.

Police used to tell people not to put the empty box for your new 60" TV on the curb on trash day.  It announces to the neighborhood and passing crooks that you have something of value to take.  Rip up the box and put it in the recycle bin where no one will see it.

The same case can be made for a little more discretion and modesty on your social networking.  Discretion is the better part of valor, and now it's the better part of social networking. 

Posting the pictures of the villa in Tuscany can tell friends of friends on Facebook that you are away and your house is free for an unsupervised visit.  Maybe a friend of a friend or a recent repairman's apprentice remembers that nice sound system you had, and know he has all the time in the world to remove your prized possessions.

In short, avoid putting your life (material wealth and home status) on BLAST!

Exercise discretion in social networking.  Join a neighborhood watch program. 

Be safe.

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The safety of our Neighborhood is not up to the Police...IT IS OURS!



It is up to everyone that lives in our community to watch out, not only for themselves but, for their neighbors. If you see cars that are parked and not moved for more than 72 hours call 311 and report it. If you see any vandalism, PLEASE report it. If you see someone that obviously doesn't belong or is doing something they shouldn't be, PLEASE report it. Lets keep our neighborhood clean, if you see furniture being dumped, call and have it removed.



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