Eideard

Facebook users enthusing about an upcoming holiday or a recently purchased high-tech gadget may not just be telling their friends but also potential burglars.

A survey of 2,092 social media users by British-based Legal & General found nearly four in ten, or 38 percent, of people using social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter post details about holiday plans and 33 percent details of a weekend away.

“Coupled with the finding that an alarmingly high proportion of users are prepared to be ‘friends’ online with people they don’t really know, this presents a serious risk to the security of people’s home and contents,” said the insurer.

In a report called “The Digital Criminal,” Legal & General said people used social media sites to connect with people who were essentially strangers, which could provide potential thieves with vital, personal information…

As well as information about trips away, people were posting party photos showing the interiors of homes and also chatting about their cool new purchases and presents.

“I call it “Internet shopping for burglars.” It is incredibly easy to use social networking sites to target people, and then scope out more information on their actual home … all from the comfort of the sofa,” said reformed burglar, Michael Fraser.

I remember the first decent color TV I owned being stolen a few days after it was delivered.

Turned out a gang of local burglars paid a finder’s fee to a warehouse worker at the store where I purchased the TV set. He’d provide them the addresses of TV deliveries.