13 Social Media Habits That Can Make You an Easy Target for Burglars

Social media is a great way to connect with friends and share moments from your life. However, many of the things we post online can unintentionally provide burglars with the perfect opportunity to strike.

What might seem like a harmless update could be just what a thief needs to plan their next move.

1. Posting Real-Time Travel Updates

Nothing beats sharing a sunset or a quick selfie from the airport during your vacation. However, by posting these in real time, you’re broadcasting to burglars that your home is empty. A quick check-in at a hotel or a social post about your trip creates a detailed timeline for someone who’s paying attention.

2. Sharing Your Work Schedule

When you post about your long shifts at work or regular gym hours, you’re giving burglars a predictable window of opportunity. Knowing when you’ll be away for an extended period allows them to plan a break-in with confidence.

3. Photos of Your Kids’ Schools or Activities

Parents love sharing back-to-school photos or updates from their kids’ soccer games. But these posts can inadvertently give away your child’s school or extracurricular activities, helping a burglar determine when your home is likely to be empty.

4. Posting About Vacation Plans

It may seem innocent to share your excitement about an upcoming trip, but this is essentially announcing to the world that your home will be unoccupied for a certain period. A seemingly casual “Can’t wait for Cancun next week!” could alert a burglar that it’s the perfect time to strike.

5. Oversharing Pet Information

We all love showing off pictures of our pets online, but revealing details like their names could put your security at risk. Many security questions for online accounts use pet names as a common answer. This gives burglars a potential way to access your personal information and make your home an easier target.

6. Revealing Your Home’s Exterior

Excited about your new house or a freshly painted front door? While these may seem like harmless photos, they can provide burglars with vital clues. House numbers, nearby landmarks, and street signs make it easy for someone to pinpoint your location and plan a break-in.

7. Showing Off New Purchases

A picture of your shiny new flat screen TV or the latest gaming system might garner likes, but it’s a huge red flag to burglars. Sharing details about valuable items inside your home gives thieves insight into what’s worth stealing, which could motivate them to target your house.

8. Announcing You’re Home Alone

Sharing posts like “Home alone for the weekend—Netflix binge time!” is an open invitation for burglars. It not only tells them there’s no one else at home but also implies that you might be distracted and unaware of your surroundings.

9. Broadcasting Your Location History

Many social media platforms allow users to tag their locations, creating a detailed map of where you’ve been. If you’re not careful, burglars can track your routine and figure out when your home is most likely to be unguarded. For example, if you frequently check in at the same coffee shop or gym, it’s easy for a thief to know when to strike.

10. Sharing Your Security System Details

Whether you’ve recently upgraded to a smart doorbell or installed new security cameras, it may seem harmless to share these updates with your followers. However, burglars can use this information to learn about your security measures and find ways to bypass them.

11. Posting About Big Events

While it’s tempting to share your excitement for major life events like weddings, graduations, or milestone birthdays, these posts reveal that your home will likely be empty for the duration of the celebration. A burglar could take advantage of this knowledge, especially if they think your post is private.

12. Showing Off Your Car and License Plate

A seemingly innocent picture of your new car or a road trip could unintentionally expose your license plate number. Thieves can use this number to obtain personal information about you and even track when your car is not in the driveway, indicating that you’re away.

13. Posting Timers or Notifications

Countdowns to vacations or big events may seem fun, but they also let burglars know when you’ll be out of the house. For example, a “5 days to Hawaii!” post or similar updates provide a timeline for someone watching your social media, giving them a clear window to target your home.