Sandy (Swizzles) sent out a blast email with this message about technology inside. I'm sure some or all of you received it, but I thought I would post anyway. Good information.
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This gives us something to think about with all our new electronic technology. 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 When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn.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 Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account.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. *PLEASE PASS THIS ON * I never thought about the above! |
Re: PSA Re; Technology
I didn't receive this (and don't have a GPS.) I did look it up on Snopes because I rarely trust warning emails. LOL http://www.snopes.com/crime/intent/gps.asp Turns out instances HAVE occurred, even if not exactly as laid out in the email.
But I had to think: whoTF texts their PIN number, even to their spouse?!?
I didn't receive the email from Sandy but have received the email before. And I can see where someone would steal a GPS and garage door opener and go to "Home" on the GPS.
I've also heard that theives target cars to steal GPS units when there is a GPS holder mounted to their windshield because it's obvious there could be a GPS in the car somewhere.
And I agree with Paula...WhoTF texts their PIN number. MH and I have completely different PIN numbers on the same account.
I agree. I would never do that and know Blair would never either. But I can tell you, that after working in a bank for 10 years, you would be very surprised what people provide unknown callers with, etc.
I love the phone that I have now. There is an In Case of Emergency button. And you can store two numbers in there. Blair is listed as Blair and his name and number are in there. I have my Mom in there but she is listed as Michele. It's great because it is on the phone book and contacts screen right up at the top in bright red.
I have a list in my phone under contacts for In Case of Emergency but I still have MH listed as Hubby. My MIL has one of her friends listed as "ICE" which cracks us up (she's scared that if she's in an accident, they would call the first number, which is my SIL, and she wouldn't want her to get that call).
I'm not sure if it's something the police do but I asked my dad (a firefighter/paramedic) if they look up "ICE" on cell phones after accidents and what not and he hadn't ever even heard of it...
It's actually funny you mention that. The first time it popped up MH (a cop at the time) asked MIL "What the H does that mean?" But apparently a state policeman where she lives recommended it. We told her to just get a new phone with the In Case of Emergency contact list at the top.