2010-03-03
Something to think about with all our new electronic technology. Please take note of the following scams...

GPS
A couple of weeks ago a friend told me that someone she knew had their car stolen while they were at a rugby match. Their car was parked in an off-road designated area that was adjacent to the rugby stadium and specially allotted to rugby fans. Things stolen with 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.

MOBILE PHONES
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When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn.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 Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account.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:
Don't leave your GPS in the car, or at least lock it in the boot where it cannot be seen...

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.

Comment
Why have home as a "Point of Interest" or "Favourite" on a GPS? You should know where you live.  If you are returning from afar rather use another local landmark.  Some use their local Police Station so when your car is stolen with GPS you can phone the Police describe your vehicle and ask them to stand by because the criminals are on their way to hand themselves over.

Original article from the Muldersdrift community website