<p>Wisbech magistrates’ court heard that Peter Trower, 22, and Joseph McLennan, 18, monitored Facebook accounts waiting for the “perfect opportunity” to rob a home in the town, Daily Telegraph reported on its website. <br /><br />Trower, it transpired, knew the victims’ daughter and had been to the three-bedroom house twice before. When he fell out with the family, he hatched a plan for “revenge” and, being a friend of theirs on Facebook, had access to their status updates. <br /><br />When the family posted they were going away, the pair ransacked the property and stole computers, jewellery, DVDs and a purse. They were caught red-handed after being spotted by a neighbour. Both admitted to burglary and will be sentenced later. <br />Inspector Ian Tandy, from Cambridgeshire police, said the case highlighted the dangers of putting too much personal information online. <br /><br />He said: “I would urge the public to be cautious when using social media, ensuring you know who has access to your personal information and take full advantage of the privacy settings available.” <br /><br />Police in the US state of New Hampshire said Wednesday they had smashed a burglary ring which targeted users who imparted their location on their status or used a new Facebook application called Facebook Places, a mobile phone-based service giving away users’ locations, and therefore effectively advertising the fact they are not at home. <br />The gang broke into 50 homes, stealing around 60,000 pounds worth of goods. <br /><br />Gareth Kloet, head of home insurance at the Cardiff-based comparison site Confused.com, said: “What’s happened in the US could be the start of a worrying trend and if insurance providers see it as a potential risk, you can bet your home contents on the fact they’ll start pricing for it. <br /><br />“Something like 'places’ on Facebook broadcasts people’s locations on a platform which has 500 million users - you don’t need to be an insurance provider to see the risk that poses. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see rises of up to 10 percent for social media users in the future.” <br /></p>
<p>Wisbech magistrates’ court heard that Peter Trower, 22, and Joseph McLennan, 18, monitored Facebook accounts waiting for the “perfect opportunity” to rob a home in the town, Daily Telegraph reported on its website. <br /><br />Trower, it transpired, knew the victims’ daughter and had been to the three-bedroom house twice before. When he fell out with the family, he hatched a plan for “revenge” and, being a friend of theirs on Facebook, had access to their status updates. <br /><br />When the family posted they were going away, the pair ransacked the property and stole computers, jewellery, DVDs and a purse. They were caught red-handed after being spotted by a neighbour. Both admitted to burglary and will be sentenced later. <br />Inspector Ian Tandy, from Cambridgeshire police, said the case highlighted the dangers of putting too much personal information online. <br /><br />He said: “I would urge the public to be cautious when using social media, ensuring you know who has access to your personal information and take full advantage of the privacy settings available.” <br /><br />Police in the US state of New Hampshire said Wednesday they had smashed a burglary ring which targeted users who imparted their location on their status or used a new Facebook application called Facebook Places, a mobile phone-based service giving away users’ locations, and therefore effectively advertising the fact they are not at home. <br />The gang broke into 50 homes, stealing around 60,000 pounds worth of goods. <br /><br />Gareth Kloet, head of home insurance at the Cardiff-based comparison site Confused.com, said: “What’s happened in the US could be the start of a worrying trend and if insurance providers see it as a potential risk, you can bet your home contents on the fact they’ll start pricing for it. <br /><br />“Something like 'places’ on Facebook broadcasts people’s locations on a platform which has 500 million users - you don’t need to be an insurance provider to see the risk that poses. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see rises of up to 10 percent for social media users in the future.” <br /></p>