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Actually, it's not social media that makes you a victim; it's YOU who make yourself a victim by how you use social media.

Would you stand in front of the ATM at the bank and flash a wad of dollar bills for everyone to see?

Probably not, right?  No, that would be like asking to be robbed.

But when you flash high-dollar items, gold, jewelry, new electronics on your Twitter and Facebook, or Instagram, you are telling the WORLD what you have.

Social media has made some people immodest and down-right ostentatious in their social networking, and that can make them vulnerable to crime.

Police use to tell people not to put a the empty box for your new 60" TV on the curb on trash day.  It announces to the neighborhood and passing crooks that you have something of value to take.  Rip up the box and put it in the recycle bin where no one will see it.

The same case can be made for a little more discretion and modesty on your social networking.  Discretion is the better part of valor, and now it's the better part of social networking. 

Posting the pictures of the villa in Tuscany can tell friends of friends on Facebook that you are away and your house is free for an unsupervised visit.  Maybe a friend of a friend or a recent repairman's apprentice remembers that nice sound system you had, and know he has all the time in the world to removed you prized possessions.

In short, avoid putting your life (material wealth and home status) on BLAST!

Excercise discretion in social networking.  Join a neighborhood watch program. 

Be safe.

Prepared by

Lt. Paul Vernon