Posted by LKT/CA on 7/15/12 12:57pm
Msg #426928

Not Wise to Announce ONLINE Your Vacation Plans

I got a blast email from a friend that she would be out of town and other private details that (IMHO) shouldn't have been publicly announced. Every time I get one of those, I feel the need to remind folks.....So FWIW - for safety's sake and privacy, please do not announce ***ONLINE (thru emails or ANY social networking site)*** your plans - that you will be out of town or on vacation. Instead, simply write that you will be "unavailable" - for the weekend or unavailable from X date to X date. You do not know who is reading your post and who it can be forwarded to. And do NOT leave vacation greetings as your voice message. Telemarketers and other strangers call your home/cell. PAW wrote about someone who left a vacation greeting - and when they returned, their house was burglarized and/or vandalized.

Saying you are "unavailable" can mean a dozen things and doesn't necessarily mean you're gone. You could simply be relaxing and staying home....or recovering from an illness or injury, or working from home, etc. If you say you're out of town or on vacation, that says/implies you're away from home and you've just become a target for thieves.

If you want to share your vacation adventures.....do so AFTER you've returned. But please, for safety's and privacy's sake, just say you're UNAVAILABLE. Giving dates you're not available doesn't reveal anything so that's okay. Your personal or office email auto responders should also only say you're "not available. Don't become a target, then a victim of thieves. JMNSHO

Reply by Barb25 on 7/15/12 1:14pm
Msg #426929

Unfortunately you are so right and we live in a world that we have to weight each word before se say it. I am guility of this on occasion. It all seems so innocent. The same thought process goes to advertising items for sales on Craigs list and the like. A little while ago my husband suggested having a "yard" or "garage" sale to get rid of the many coffeemakers and other unused but almost new appliances and household goods we have have accumulated. To tell the truth, at this point I suggested we donate this to a local charitable organization. It will do good and also not enable the local ripoff artists an opportunity to look over the contents of my garage/outside area/whatever for a future unscheduled visit. Nobody should have to live this way but we do.

Reply by 101livescan on 7/15/12 9:20pm
Msg #426982

I met with a couple of clients on their way out the door for vacation as soon as we finished signing. They made arrangements for people to stay at their home while they are away, even though they have alarm systems. Just too many people out there looking to make hits on homes they perceive as "unattended". Wild world out there. Lots of desperados.

Reply by ME/NJ on 7/15/12 1:57pm
Msg #426935

Have alarm system, insurance and watchful neighbors

Nothing that can't be replaced.

Reply by Barb25 on 7/15/12 3:24pm
Msg #426948

Re: Have alarm system, insurance and watchful neighbors

Well, okay, but I think it alot more personal thank that.

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 7/15/12 6:13pm
Msg #426962

That's so true!

Our alarm will automatically call the police. I don't think my neighbors would notice anything. It's a very quiet neighborhood.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 7/15/12 7:25pm
Msg #426970

One more thing .....

If you have newspaper delivery, cancel that before you leave to make sure it's actually canceled! We came back from vacation once with a pile of aging newspapers in our driveway. Geez! I chewed out the circulation dept, not to mention the delivery people. Were they blind. Did they not notice that maybe something was wrong with this picture? Apparently not.

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 7/15/12 8:35pm
Msg #426978

Re: One more thing .....

Hold the mail too!

Reply by JanetK_CA on 7/18/12 4:02am
Msg #427243

Re: One more thing .....

Or have a trusted friend or family member pick it up for you. I have a good friend and neighbor who travels frequently and I always do that for her (and vice versa).

Reply by LKT/CA on 7/15/12 9:03pm
Msg #426979

About Home Security Systems

Here's an interesting article on home security systems: http://www.untwistedvortex.com/effective-home-security-system/

I think the following quote makes an excellent point and drives home my suggestion to keep your personal business OFFLINE: "Home security systems will stop crimes of opportunity but professional thieves and other criminals can get past all but the most exotic residential security systems."

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 7/15/12 9:38pm
Msg #426983

Re: About Home Security Systems

I have always felt that a home security system sign was an invitation that we might have something worth stealing. My husband and my neighbors feel that a sign is a deterrent. We don't live in a neighborhood that has a lot of expensive homes. They are just average. My next door neighbor is never home. Various and sundry flyers, doorhangers, ups notices, etc are always by his door. Now, that's an invitation.

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 7/16/12 5:19am
Msg #426995

Another reason I hate FaceBook!

You THINK you've kept yourself under the radar, and might not even be aware that people you know have shared your whereabouts on FB. It doesn't matter if YOU aren't even on FB, the abundant lack of common sense drags you in anyway. Share anything personal with anyone, and you now have to consider the likelihood of it ending up being broadcast - if not directly, then indirectly.

Reply by Q_in_Sac/CA on 7/16/12 5:22pm
Msg #427053

Dumb Girl (RUN-DMC) lol dum,dum,dum.....