Have you thought about this and taken action?
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (189874)
Boise, Idaho
May 2, 2011 5:59pm CST
My friend sent me a interesting article she had recieved afew days ago. I thought I would share part of it with you. It was very alarming and had some good information in it. Please read it and then let know your thoughts. Really puts a new slant on privacy, secrety, have a life that is our own, etc. I think there are some very good ideas here. Do you already do these things? Will you follow them in the future after reading this? What kind of an impression did this make on you? Scare you, make you mad?
GPS---A couple of weeks ago a friend told me that someone she knew had their car broken into while they were at a football game. Their car was parked on the green which was adjacent to the football stadium and specially allotted to football fans. Things stolen from the car included a garage door remote control, some money and a GPS which had been prominently mounted on the dashboard.
When the victims got home, they found that their house had been ransacked and just about everything worth anything had been stolen.
The thieves had used the GPS to guide them to the house. They then used the garage remote control to open the garage door and gain entry to the house. The thieves knew the owners were at the football game, they knew what time the game was scheduled to finish and so they knew how much time they had to clean out the house. It would appear that they had brought a truck to empty the house of its contents.
Something to consider if you have a GPS - don't put your home address in it. Put a nearby address (like a store or gas station) so you can still find your way home if you need to, but no one else would know where you live if your GPS were stolen.
MOBILE PHONES---I never thought of this.......This lady has now changed her habit of how she lists her names on her mobile phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag, which contained her cell phone, credit card, wallet... Etc...was stolen.
20 minutes later when she called her hubby, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says 'I received your text asking about our Pin number and I've replied a little while ago.'
When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The thief had actually used the stolen cell phone to text 'hubby' in the contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account.
Moral of the lesson:
Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list.
Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mom, etc....
And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked through texts, CONFIRM by calling back.
Also, when you're being text by friends or family to meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them. If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet 'family and friends' who text you.
1 person likes this
14 responses
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
4 May 11
DOnt have a garage dont have a gps. I woulldnt put home address in i I know whre I live and I think that would sort of stupid dpnt you.
I have ice home and Ice inda for emergances (sp) but there to she wouldnt know my pin nos.
and I dont t ext so I wouldnt be meeting any one that way.
and I dont carry a purse wear a fanny pack hard to get that ff me also my cell phone on my side no one can get that either.
1 person likes this

@celticeagle (189874)
• Boise, Idaho
4 May 11
I just wanted to post this so it would give those that aren't being careful already a bit of a wake up call. Sounds like you have it going on.

@moondancer (7431)
• United States
3 May 11
these are very good lessons indeed. My husband drives me absolutely crazy with his GPS. Even when he knows where we are going we have been there a million times and he certainly knows where we live he puts in the information for that stupid GPS. It drives me crazy and he does with it. I am going to show this to him and maybe just maybe he will stop putting our home address in it.
We don't text, I hate texting. But my children and grandchildren do.
I have had an issue of sorts with text when people would use other peoples phones to text their boyfriends and such and say things and act like they were the one that owned the phone. It was a joke at times but I knew then what the problems it did and could cause.
1 person likes this

@moondancer (7431)
• United States
4 May 11
It's a new toy for him and he loves it. He had bought one a while back a couple of years ago. I hated it. The darn thing would never shut up. It was well, lets just say I wanted to throw it out the window and him with it because he would not turn the thing off. He would use it for trips that he knew how to get there. He and it drove me crazy. It broke, the best day of my life!
Why I bought him one for Christmas I'll never know. Except I could not think of anything else he would want. I knew the one he had before was a cheap one. I got him a good one and it was far from being cheap. Hey, and I don't even mind this one. She don't talk too much and the display is nice. I don't use it but he does. He does truly need one for his use with his job because he travels all the time. So this one was a good gift. He does love his new toy. I have a pic for you. lol
@celticeagle (189874)
• Boise, Idaho
4 May 11
Sounds like your husband wants to get his moneys worth. lol I think its time parents gave out some alerts to kids. They can either heed them or not I suppose.

@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
5 May 11
Quite interesting information, and I am sure there are a lot of people who would never think anything about having their information displayed on there. Something I think they need to make more aware for everyone for sure. Some interesting things worth sharing and to think about.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
3 May 11
Hm, interesting, must change address on GPS. I do always lock the door from the garage into the house though. Just changed "home" on cell to something else. Adn there aren't anything there that says "honey, hubby or sweetheart". lol
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189874)
• Boise, Idaho
3 May 11
I don't use any of these things. It scared me because I know people who have all these things and just don't think anything like this is going to happen to them. I think its a form of denial.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
3 May 11
Could be. Actually the GPS came with the car, and I didn't use it (old fashioned, GPS is for wusses, etc.), but it grew on me...
@celticeagle (189874)
• Boise, Idaho
4 May 11
I am glad that everyone appreciated the information. I thought it would be a great thing to share. We take alot for granted now days. Need a little wake up call on occasion.
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
3 May 11
OMG, I have to change my GPS labeled names, as I am one who has things labeled as home, kids info and a lot of other things too in my cell.
You are right, it is just another means for easy access to our property. It is like turning our full access of our lives. *scary*, I will make some changes.
I can tell you the other day someone stole the cover from my jeep's spare tire.
in which made me think it is time to figure out how to hide the GPS because mine is not mounted, it is built in, but they can easily figure how to steal the information, if by chance they steal the jeep.
in which made me think it is time to figure out how to hide the GPS because mine is not mounted, it is built in, but they can easily figure how to steal the information, if by chance they steal the jeep. @celticeagle (189874)
• Boise, Idaho
3 May 11
Well, I think this has given you some food for thought. I hope you get it all done as quickly as you can. I thought the article was very informative.
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
3 May 11
Celtic is quite an eyeopener, that is for sure. I just spoke to my boyfriend about it and we are going to come up with a mix way to label them. He also agrees with me that the GPS somehow has to be covered. Although I have a great alarm system, this should not fool anyone. Three years ago my brand new Jeep Larengo was stolen, only after owning it for 2 months, alarm and all.
Thanks for sharing that we will get on it right away.
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
3 May 11
hi celticEagle this is wonderful as you might have saved a number of
us mylotters from have their home burglarized or having their
bank account broken into. I am one of those few who do not
own a car or cellphonebut I shudder at the clevernessof
these thieves. They should have u sed that cleverness in an
honest way to help someone instead of stealing thats really
going the wrong way. I am going to email this to my friend who
'does have a car as its good information to know.I lucked out olnce when I received a phone call from my son asking me to meet him at our bank , it was on my answering machine and being naive I hurried to our bank. He was not there so I phoned his employer and asked if my son was there.He was but he came to the phone courtesy of his boss. I told him what had happend and he said get the bus and check our apartment as I will bet someone knows where we life and that we have computers and monitors too. I was never so relieved to get through the locked ped.gate and into our house.The manager came over and told me the neighbors saw a man trying to pry open our patio door and called the police . the p olioce caught the g uy when he started running. they asked the next door neighbro if this was the man and sure enough he was. of course he was arrested. The idea of a gated complex is great if p eople do not let strangers in when they are un locking the gate to go home to their apartnebt, Someoine had to have let him in.






1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189874)
• Boise, Idaho
4 May 11
Youre not the Lone Ranger, Hatley! I don't own a GPS or cell phone. Yes, I hope you all will send this info to all your friends and family. Thank goodness you had concienous neighbors who did call the police. Someone did have to have let him in and that is scarey. I remember when my husband worked in a gated community and how lax they were. I sort of laughed about it as I recall. I wouldn't now days with all the stuff I have heard since. It is just such an infrengement on our privacy. Can't have cute little nicknames on our cell phones or anything personal. Have to be so careful. Sure wasn't that way when I was young.
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
3 May 11
i do have a cell phone but seldom go any where to loose it. but i need to pass this on to son and a few others. so im copy / pasting it to send to the kids as they text constantly 
@celticeagle (189874)
• Boise, Idaho
4 May 11
I thought this would help lots of fellow mylotters. Glad to see that it is.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
3 May 11
Hey celtic! Wow! If there was a "most informative discussion" I'd definitely
vote for this one! That was some awesome information that I honestly would
never have thought of. Although, I don't have a car or GPS, I know plenty of
people who do and would never have thought of "not putting their home address
on it! One of my gf's puts hers away, but it is still in the car.
But, as for cell phones, that was good information about using context about
home numbers, and "names". If someone is watching you or does get your info
at least they will have to work harder to figure out how to steal your stuff!
Excellent discussion celtic, and thanks!

But, as for cell phones, that was good information about using context about
home numbers, and "names". If someone is watching you or does get your info
at least they will have to work harder to figure out how to steal your stuff!
Excellent discussion celtic, and thanks!
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189874)
• Boise, Idaho
4 May 11
Well, I am certainly glad it was of help to you. That is why I wanted to share with my Mylotter friends. Maybe one of my discussions will make on the digest list thing. I think the cell phone info was good too although I think it is sad that we can't have our cute little affectionate names for people without some jerk taking advantage! Grrr!

@OpinionatedLady (5965)
• United States
3 May 11
We do not leave anything in the open for anyone to see in the car especially the GPS phones or any electronics. I have to say those are pretty smart thieves
. I do not have hubby listed but I do have it listed in my Emergency list so I guess I will change that. Thanks for sharing.
. I do not have hubby listed but I do have it listed in my Emergency list so I guess I will change that. Thanks for sharing.1 person likes this
@zralte (4176)
• India
3 May 11
That is very good information. I need to change some details on my cellphone. I don't have Hubby/Husband, or anything like that - but I do have Home, Mom, etc.
As for GPS, I don't have it in India; but we have it in UK. I think we are very careful not to leave it in the Car. We have a detachable one, so I usually take the screen and put it in my handbag. But then again, if my handbag is stolen.....well, next time we go to UK, I'll have to change that. Saying that, putting my postcode in the GPS, directs to our neighbour's house
. Still, I do not want to put my neighbour at risk.
Good discussion. Information every one should be aware of. Thanks.
. Still, I do not want to put my neighbour at risk.
Good discussion. Information every one should be aware of. Thanks.1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189874)
• Boise, Idaho
4 May 11
I think the detachable GPS is a very good idea. They need to be locked in the trunk or something. Glad you appreciated the information. I thought others would find it useful.
@SIMPLYD (90717)
• Philippines
3 May 11
Good thing, my husband doesn't know the pin no. of my ATM. As to his number on my cellphone, it's under his full name, so the thief will have a hard time thinking which one is my husband's number.
Thieves are now very clever. So we have to be very clever too in securing all the things we treasure most, specially our PINs , passwords etc.
I think , i have to jot down all my valuable PINS and passwords in a diary at home as well as in my stell cabinet at the office.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189874)
• Boise, Idaho
4 May 11
I am glad that this caused you to give it all some thought.
@marapplestiffy (2182)
• Philippines
3 May 11
gosh! That is really alarming, the GPS is not commonly used in my country so I was shocked reading the first incident but not that alarmed, but the next incident got me in tight knots! I suppose because I list my mother's name as Momma, my sister as Sister Dear, my fiancée as Hubby, and so on...I guess I have to change that, especially since my mother is the type who will answer any message I send her...Scary how the hoodlums and scums of the earth has used the technology to their advantage!1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189874)
• Boise, Idaho
4 May 11
You said it! It is amazing what these hoodlums can do. I am glad I posted it. Seems to be helping alot of people.
@rrbterania (95)
• Philippines
3 May 11
wow.. thanks for the info. many people nowadays are not reliable we should really not trust strangers. I also heard that there was an instance that there was this girl who has a textmate that she really doesn't know invited here to meet up. the girl agreed, in the end the girl was raped, took her money and other valuable and worst she was killed.
That's the problem with some people they easily trust someone they recently meet
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189874)
• Boise, Idaho
4 May 11
We all need to be more aware of our environent. It is important to take stock of our technology, who has access and who we want to have access. We can't trust people like we used to be able to when I was young. We have to take stock!












