Facebook, Twitter Can Compromise Your Home's Security

Tweeting or posting about your holiday travel plans could lead to an unpleasant surprise when you return home.

Nationwide, nearly 400,000 burglaries occur in November and December.

“Social media is definitely a factor in many of today’s burglaries," said Joanna Moore, Mercury Insurance chief claims officer in a released statement. "Instead of watching for mail to accumulate outside your residence, burglars can case your home by simply scanning your Twitter feed and monitoring your Facebook status for any signs you’re away and it’s only getting easier with new features like Facebook Places, which allows users to divulge their exact location by simply checking in.”

Without adequate Facebook privacy settings or by not restricting who can view your tweets, that check in at Disney World or tweet about the beach can make your home an easy target.

“You risk tipping off burglars to your home’s vulnerability by ‘tweeting,’ ‘updating,’ ‘posting’ or ‘checking in’ during your holiday travels. There’s nothing more convenient for robbers than when their victims are away for an extended period of time,” said Moore.  “And you never know whose hands into which your information is falling.”

Parents are also cautioned to make sure their children are not giving away the family's location online.

Moore offers these additional social media tips to consider before taking off on your holiday vacation:

• Use social media to your advantage. Update social media to give the impression that your family is home. This may deter any potential outside interest in your property.
• Resist the urge to upload photos during your vacation. Wait until you’re home to flaunt your family’s Christmas trip to the Bahamas.
• Shut-off your home computer. Disconnect from the internet, especially if you store any personal information on your PC. An unattended computer connected to the internet is an easy  mark for hackers.

Taking proper social media precautions will help ensure you and your family have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

For more tips, visit http://www.mercuryinsurance.com/insurance-products/insurance-tips.html.