Dangers of posting travel plans on BBS

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

I believe it I'll bet if you worked a little harder you could get social security numbers and bank accounts too.

I have never tried to do that as I am not interested in that information. I have just used it to locate friends and associates that I lost contact with.

There are many services on-line, that for a small fee, can find all that information and much more.

[Barbeque Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Barbeque]

I have never tried to do that as I am not interested in that information. I have just used it to locate friends and associates that I lost contact with.

There are many services on-line, that for a small fee, can find all that information and much more.

John In case you misunderstood me I was not accusing you or anyone else here of doing any of the searching for that type of info. I was merely stating that it may be available for any lurker or criminal watching the internet which may comprimise the security of a poster on an internet site.
I would be more wary of facebook or even tug but even here I am wary. And it is not the regular people I am worried about

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

John In case you misunderstood me I was not accusing you or anyone else here of doing any of the searching for that type of info. I was merely stating that it may be available for any lurker or criminal watching the internet which may comprimise the security of a poster on an internet site.
I would be more wary of facebook or even tug but even here I am wary. And it is not the regular people I am worried about

No, I didn't think you were accusing me of anything.

Yes, Facebook is definitely much worse because so many people use it whereas this site is targeted at timeshare owners. I don't participate on gossip sites like Facebook. Security is not the issue on this site or any other. The only thing I need is your name and IP address to find the other info. I may not need your IP address depending on your name but it does make it a lot easier as I can then locate your city or region.

[BoardGirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BoardGirl]

yes, I generally try to be very discreet. There's never been many barriers to those that truly wanna find someone. that's the creepy part. creepier is how much easier it has become.

thanks for the reminder to practice safe surfing. you can call me Muttfacella (not my real name). I should probably take down my picture. It never got me many dates anyway and makes it even easier to find me.

[Fern Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fern]

I can't believe how many people "check in" places on Facebook. Isn't that like saying, "Hey, I'm not home right now," and even letting them know how far away you are (and how long you will be gone if you are at the gym, etc)...and these are FACEBOOK people, some of whom are friends, acquaintances, or even strangers. Some may be friends of friends, who casually know you, maybe were at a party at your house, saw your stuff and admired it...

No thank you, I'm not checking in.

Fern

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

Small world

It was interesting that even knowing sister-in-laws address, how long it took me to home in on the street images of houses to see hers.

I was surprised to find our car sitting in her yard, 900 miles from home.

[Hobbitess Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hobbitess]

It wouldn't be too much effort for them to figure out when you're gone and take advantage. Why make it easy for them?

When I was a kid my younger sister told some total stranger (as well as some neighbors) our entire itinerary a few days before we left on a family visit. We couldn't avoid the visit (might've been my grandparent's 50th, I forget), but my dad insisted we come back early, which we did, arriving home very late at night. Everything was fine, but a cop visited the next morning.

Turns out (1) one of the neighbors who'd been there for the initial conversation had been just as concerned as my dad, and had been keeping an eye on the place, so had called the cops when she saw the lights on and (2) dad had been so tired he hadn't locked up after we got home. So the cops came in, saw the suitcases piled by the front door, checked to make sure that there were only sleeping family members around, and slipped back out, locking the door as they went. We'd all slept right through it, including the dog!

I have a house sitter and a security system so have had no problems

Yeah, we have an alarm security system, as well as a surveillance camera that's constantly recording. We can move the surveillance camera while on the road and periodically have to search the whole room because someone's missing the cats. We usually have someone there, too, which means they have the electronic gadget the turns off the alarm system and I might have to remember the code when we get home despite bleary vacation brain.

Does no harm not to give the exact dates we vacation, though.

OTOH, I think a clever crafty criminal would spend more time hanging out on the Disney vacation boards than here, though, because half the posters on the one I frequent have one of those "counting down to my vacation" dohickys in their signature, and are broadcasting all manner of info about friends, family, and vacation arrangements, all neatly collected on one board.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

When I was a kid my younger sister told some total stranger (as well as some neighbors) our entire itinerary a few days before we left on a family visit. We couldn't avoid the visit (might've been my grandparent's 50th, I forget), but my dad insisted we come back early, which we did, arriving home very late at night. Everything was fine, but a cop visited the next morning.

Turns out (1) one of the neighbors who'd been there for the initial conversation had been just as concerned as my dad, and had been keeping an eye on the place, so had called the cops when she saw the lights on and (2) dad had been so tired he hadn't locked up after we got home. So the cops came in, saw the suitcases piled by the front door, checked to make sure that there were only sleeping family members around, and slipped back out, locking the door as they went. We'd all slept right through it, including the dog!



Yeah, we have an alarm security system, as well as a surveillance camera that's constantly recording. We can move the surveillance camera while on the road and periodically have to search the whole room because someone's missing the cats. We usually have someone there, too, which means they have the electronic gadget the turns off the alarm system and I might have to remember the code when we get home despite bleary vacation brain.

Does no harm not to give the exact dates we vacation, though.

OTOH, I think a clever crafty criminal would spend more time hanging out on the Disney vacation boards than here, though, because half the posters on the one I frequent have one of those "counting down to my vacation" dohickys in their signature, and are broadcasting all manner of info about friends, family, and vacation arrangements, all neatly collected on one board.

What a watch dog that was! What a nice story because you had good neighbors and great cops that did their job. So many people complain about them today but most do what they are supposed to do to keep us safe.

One cop changed my tire for me because I was parked at a too dangerous spot on the freeway and escorted me off and even gave me directions how to go home over the surface streets.

When I read Facebook, I shake my head and the Disney board people sound even less bothered yet about their privacy or safety.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

In our neighborhood, we all let each other know when we are going somewhere, so we can keep an eye out. I have reduced the amount of information I provide on line, even so much as only stating the state I live in. I recently told my daughter what my grandchild was posting on line and that I was watching---postings have ceased since then. I've seen enough to know that personal information on line needs to be minimal.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

It was interesting that even knowing sister-in-laws address, how long it took me to home in on the street images of houses to see hers.

I was surprised to find our car sitting in her yard, 900 miles from home.

Did you use "Google Earth"? It is very fast if you have the address. I was able to zero in on my son's home in Japan in just a couple minutes and several others faster than that. I like that you not only get the overhead view but you also get the street level view. It is pretty awesome. I was able to easily locate the home where I lived with my parents in Victoria BC back in the 50's and I didn't have the address for it.

[Hobbitess Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hobbitess]

What a watch dog that was!

It was a Basenji, and we always knew she'd never leave her warm bed (she slept in my sister's bed) in order to take on the bad guys.

When I read Facebook, I shake my head and the Disney board people sound even less bothered yet about their privacy or safety.

Well, most of the Disney people are not posting under their real names. But some of them do provide so much info I suspect it wouldn't be hard to track them down.

[mdurette Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mdurette]

I wouldn't worry about stalking (if I was, then I would be sure not to leave anything). I supose house breaking would be at the top of the list. But, not a worry for us. Live in a very active neighborhood - have a 24/7 house sitter (ok they live here all the time!) and security.

On a similar note: I have always been told never to put your address on your luggage. Anyone that handles your luggage knows that you are gone. Doesn't take much to watch a house (since they already know the address) to see if anyone else it home. We always put our local police department address on the luggage. If anyone tries that trick....they certainly will give up fast once they find out the location of the "house"!!!

[PigsDad Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PigsDad]

On a similar note: I have always been told never to put your address on your luggage. Anyone that handles your luggage knows that you are gone. Doesn't take much to watch a house (since they already know the address) to see if anyone else it home. We always put our local police department address on the luggage. If anyone tries that trick....they certainly will give up fast once they find out the location of the "house"!!!

I don't put any address on our luggage tags, just our last name and my work phone number -- just enough information to positively identify it and get in contact with me.

Kurt

[BoardGirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BoardGirl]

I can't believe how many people "check in" places on Facebook. Isn't that like saying, "Hey, I'm not home right now," and even letting them know how far away you are (and how long you will be gone if you are at the gym, etc)...and these are FACEBOOK people, some of whom are friends, acquaintances, or even strangers. Some may be friends of friends, who casually know you, maybe were at a party at your house, saw your stuff and admired it...

No thank you, I'm not checking in.

Fern

don't do FB so don't know what Check In really is there, but frequently see "We're here at teh ______, does anyone have any questions about the resort?"

Same on CruiseCritic - "we're on the _____"

Please don't anyone take this personally, but I'm way more interested in vacationing while on vacation vs visiting the boards, so you will likely never receive any posts from me while out of town!! I'm one of those people that likes to vacation from the computer, making it even less likely to Check In.

[Hobbitess Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hobbitess]

I'm one of those people that likes to vacation from the computer, making it even less likely to Check In.

Ditto. That's actually one of the big appeals of vacation (even though I spend lots of time goofing around on the Internet at home)! I'm the only one, however; hubby and most of the kids bring theirs along.