Gadgets, who doesn’t love gadgets?

Most of us just love to go into our local electronics store and marvel at the many gadgets designed to make our lives more convenient or entertain us. They bring much happiness to our lives, but used improperly, can work against us.

I received an email from a great friend of mine, Frazier West, who I am always happy to hear from and since the Holidays are approaching I assumed it contained our usual pleasantries and best wishes. But this email was different, it was alarming in fact.

The content of the email was a warning that applies to our everyday lives, but this was particularly useful for this time of year.

Many people will give and receive gifts in observance of the Christmas Holiday and many of those gifts will be technological gadgets that make our eyes light up with glee. But some of these gadgets can work against you if improperly used.

Allow me to focus in on two gadgets and tell the stories that I received in the email from my friend.

What follows are true stories about how we can be lackadaisical about our security and the awful penalty that this may lead to.

GPS

It all starts with a GPS unit that was left in a car while a couple attended a football game. The GPS unit was clearly mounted on the dashboard in plain sight, making it an easy target for criminals.

The car itself was parked on a lot designated for sporting events, which means these types of parking lots are attractive to criminals because of the large number of opportunities to steal. Keep in mind, everyone does not get to park inside the stadium’s secure areas.

When the couple returned to their car, it had been broken into and the GPS, some money and a garage door opener were all missing.

Were it not for the GPS being left in plain sight, this car may have been passed over by the thieves since there would have been nothing a real value to draw their attention.

Having been victimized and having their day ruined, the couple went home. When they arrived home they found that their house had been ransacked and just about anything of value had been stolen.

The thieves apparently had used the GPS to guide them to the house. They gained entry by simply using the stolen garage door opener. Knowing the schedule of the football game and when it would end provided a window of time for them to clean out the house. With all of the stuff missing from the house they must have had a truck.

This is a hard lesson to learn but one that can be avoided by taking precautionary measures during the initial setup of your equipment.

Do NOT program your actual home address into a GPS unit. Use something nearby like a shopping mall or gas station. You surely know your way home once you get to a certain point, so there is no need to have the unit lead you right to the front door.

I have my GPS set for a highway exit, which is not even the correct one. Yes the unit still says “Home” but the trail ends on exit 21.

Mobile Phones

Many have never thought about this, but many are not sleazy criminals so why would they?

After being victimized a lady has now changed her method for listing names on her mobile phone. You see, her handbag had been stolen with her mobile phone, credit cards and wallet inside.

About 20 minutes later, she called her husband from a pay phone to tell him what had happened. He replies “I received your text asking about our pin number and replied a little while ago”

Of course he then rushes out to pick up his Wife and they then rush to the bank, where they clerk tells them that some money has been withdrawn.

The thief or thieves had used the stolen phone to text the husband from the contact listing and receive the pin number for one of the stolen bank cards, making a withdrawal from the account. In the course of 30 minutes or less, your financial situation can be violated leaving you to clean up the mess.

Do NOT disclose relationships between people in your mobile phone contact listing. Avoid names like Home, Wife, Hubby, Mom, etc.

Additionally, always confirm who you think may be on the other end of a communication when sensitive information is being requested. Call back immediately. The thieves are not going to answer the phone, and that will be your first hint that something may be wrong.

Same applies for text messages asking you to meet someplace. Be certain that it is coming from who you think it is and avoid being set-up for bad activity.

PASS ON THIS INFORMATION TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!

Do not allow the wonderful tools of technology to work against you. It is easy to get excited with our new toys and forget about those who seek to bring harm to our lives.

Take the proper precautions up front and protect yourself from the enemy.

I never did have “home” on my mobile phone because I was smart. Only by half… I was not as smart as I should have been because I did have “Wife” listed, which was changed immediately after reading the email from Frazier.

You see, sometimes we think we’ve got everything covered but it is reminders like this that cause you to refocus and tighten up where you need to.

If you have a home alarm system, use it. If you don’t have one, get it.

Take every precaution you can regarding your safety. It’s a tough world out there, don’t be lulled into complacency.

Enjoy the new gadgets folks, but do think about how they are set up initially.

Be safe and keep blogging!