According to an insurance provider, people are being cautioned against sharing images of the Christmas holidays or so-called “big ticket” gifts on social media in case they attract robbers, reports RTE.
Homes are more likely to be targeted by burglars over the holiday season, according to a warning from Peopl Insurance, which collaborates with credit unions nationwide.
Christmas “being the time that people visit friends and family near and far” is the reason for this, it stated, and it might alert robbers that a house is empty, reports RTE.
It is “a time that burglars are well aware of the rich pickings sitting under Christmas trees” during the holiday season, according to Paul Walsh, spokesperson for People.
According to Mr. Walsh, sharing pictures on social media “can be an expensive mistake” even if it’s a common part of people’s lives, reports RTE.
This “could alert burglars to the pricey new bike or games console in your home” , according to him.
Longer evenings, according to the spokesman, allow potential burglars “more time to break into homes” and the knowledge that a house is unoccupied may also be alluring.
Mr Walsh said: “Opportunistic burglars are always on the lookout for easy targets and vacant homes, with easily accessible doors and windows, can be attractive. From new smartphones to new bikes to Playstations and so on, many Christmas gifts are worth hundreds of euro – and thieves are well aware of this. So don’t let a simple message on social media ultimately be the precursor of a break-in to your home,” reports RTE.
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