Burglars used to lurk in neighborhoods and scan obituaries for targets. With the availability of free online services, burglars can now plan robberies using their phones or computers.
The Riverside Police Department in California has observed several criminals who use these online methods after being arrested for a burglary or having completed one.
This revelation comes at a time when roving international criminal gangs are committing crimes against communities in California Michigan and Arizona.
Ryan Railback, Public Information Officer, said: “Our detectives seize digital devices and other devices [after arresting suspects] and try to obtain search warrants to access these devices.” You can find internet history there. Our detectives went on Google Maps to find that certain addresses were being searched and that they were on Zillow or Redfin.
Google has provided high-definition aerial imagery of 36 million square miles via Google Earth, and Google Street View footage for 10 million miles on roads worldwide. CNET reports that Google has mapped the streets of 98 percent of places where people reside.
Zillow, the largest real estate site in the U.S., has reported that there are approximately 130 million listings on the website as of July 2024. Sites such as Zillow and Realtor.com show interior photos that are often detailed. These photos can stay on the site even after a home has been sold.
Pat Brosnan, a former NYPD detective who is a security expert, said: “Right away you can metaphorically check out the place by using these platforms while sitting in your chair with a coffee. You get more data and information than ever before with binoculars and a car outside of the house.” “You get inside baseball.”
Brosnan stated that sellers could protect themselves by restricting what they put in their online profiles.
He said, “If you are going to sell your house, you will want to put your best foot forward. It’s important to have professional, accurate photos that tell a story, but not to go overboard. I would never recommend doing a 360-degree video. It’s very common in sales.”
Brosnan stated that videos such as these could be enhanced and paused, allowing criminals “to know every crack and cranny of the home including windows, cameras, and locking systems.”
He said: “You can identify alarms and ways to avoid them.” “You can identify second and third points for entry and exit.”
Sharon Polsky of the Privacy & Access Council of Canada said that Google Maps images are also a valuable tool for potential car thieves.
“Car thieves can get an idea of what type of vehicle is at a particular address.” She said that a home with toys in the yard is unlikely to be a place where a sports car would be found. But a house covered with flags, which are used to cover windows, might have an older car with a lower value.’
“Anyone who steals vehicles to order can use Google Maps to check if a car on their shopping list has been parked at the address. They can then use this information to make sure they have the software necessary to program the blank key fobs required to steal the vehicle,” Polsky explained.
Brosnan suggests that when listing photos on websites for realty services, you should avoid including photos of security cameras, locks and security systems, windows, doors, gates, or any other security-related items.
He also warned against showing nighttime photos of your home that show where motion-activated lights are located.
Bill Daly, a former FBI agent and cybersecurity expert, advised home sellers to store away any expensive furniture or artwork before taking pictures for real estate listings.
Polsky advised that home sellers who are working with agents should “include in their contract the requirement that the house number cannot be disclosed on the listing or photographs.”
The realtor can then build his list of contacts and talk with each individual. It is also important to not reveal the house number. This makes it less convenient for burglars.
Railsback advises homeowners to place prominent security cameras, alarm system signage, and friendly neighbors outside their homes.
Railsback stated, “If a criminal wanted to enter my home, despite all of my safety measures, then I would like him to think about the risks he might be taking.”
Brosnan suggested that you blur your home’s street view on Google Maps. To do this, find your house on the service, click “Report a Problem,” and fill out a form.
Google’s spokesperson stated that the team takes about a week on average to blur an address following a request. Once an address is blurred, it cannot be undone. The spokesperson said that Google uses AI technology to blur faces and license plate numbers in Streetview images.
Zillow’s representative said that the service made it “quick” and “easy” to claim ownership of listings. You can access the option by clicking on “More Options” after you find your home and then “Claim Ownership”. Homeowners can remove the photos or the entire listing after proving ownership.
The spokesperson stated, “We take privacy, security, and confidentiality very seriously.” The photos on Zillow are taken from multiple listing services that real estate agents utilize to market their homes for sale. Zillow allows homeowners to edit home facts and change photos or remove them. We encourage all homeowners to claim their homes on Zillow.
Redfin, Realtor.com, and Google were not available for comment by the time of publication.
Brosnan also said that it’s important to limit the information you share online about yourself.
“Unless your social media is very private, and your followers are those that you know and trust, don’t post about your vacation on social media,” he said. “If I see anyone on social media, and they’re on vacation in Mexico somewhere, where are they not?
He continued, “You need to check your settings regularly – these platforms are constantly updating their settings.” Update your settings and keep them up to date. Ask your friends or neighbors to visit your home or to have access to your camera system while you’re away. Advertise when you are not at home.
He said that those who need to upload their vacation pictures online should wait until after they return home.
