You can never be too careful about what you share online.
According to a recent study, 78 per cent of ex-burglars agreed that thieves utilised social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to get status updates and target homes for burglary.
However, there are ways you can prevent burglars from finding you on social media.
Here are six things you should never do:
1. DON'T share your holiday status on social media
If you share pictures of yourself on holiday, you're sending a direct message to potential thieves that you’re not home. Instead, privately send photos to close friends and family, or wait until you’re home to share on your social media accounts.
2. DON'T use popular hashtags
We know that thieves search social media hashtags for local empty homes. Don’t use hashtags like #wishyouwerehere or #holiday.
3. DON'T ignore your privacy settings
It’s easy to be lulled into a false sense of security online, especially with Facebook. To check your privacy settings, click on the ‘Privacy’ section on your Facebook account. Take note if any settings allow ‘friends of friends’ to look at your posts. These may be people you don't know.
4. DON'T make your contact details public
Make sure that your contact details are private on Facebook, or only visible to a close circle of friends.
5. DON'T add strangers
Double-check your friends on Facebook and delete anyone you don’t know.
6. DON'T check in
Avoid checking in to a location on Facebook (or tagging a location on Instagram). Thieves often track locations for holiday-makers.
