Schedules, Facebook....theft?

Well I know I'm new to posting in these forums, so allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Mariette Rose and I have been doing an art show circuit primarily in Wisconsin for the past 3 years selling silks scarves, clothing, and occasionally portraits. While gearing up for another year of shows, amidst the schedule planning and organizing came a question:

How much do I have to worry about someone breaking into my home while on the road?

It's not a bad neighborhood by any means. Yet there is the worry that with the posting of a show schedule on my website, or the sharing of my locations over facebook might bring someone watching.....just to know when no ones home.

Granted this may simply be a healthy dose of paranoia, but it's a concern nonetheless.

I'm curious to know how many others are worried about similar things, or what measures you may recommend.

Replies

Connie Mettler January 5, 2011 at 1:15pm

You are so right to be concerned about this, Mariette. We used to live in Detroit, at one time in a bad neighborhood and another time in a not-so-bad neighborhood. We drove a big van and if any neighbors were noticing when that van was gone, especially on a weekend, it was a big flashing light "No one is home!" Consequently we had several breakins. After the first couple we moved to the better neighborhood. After our first break-in there we had an alarm system. (Imagine being in Miami at the Coconut Grove Show and your neighbor calls to say someone is beating down your door!!) Needless to say, eventually we moved to a quiet community in a small town where no one even locks their doors. Well, yes, we do!

So, follow the good advice from these guys. Make your presence, or no presence, as unnoticeable as possible and don't tell folks when you are leaving town.
- Barry Bernstein > Connie Mettler January 5, 2011 at 1:45pm
  
  Yeah, I've had a post office box for many years. I put that address on my card. I use an email address that is for the public. I have 2 other email addresses that are progressively limited to people I know and trust. I do put my cell phone number on my card, but, I cringe that I have to do that. Somehow, you have to have real contact with people. You still have to be diligent. This morning I tried to access my Facebook page and it had been blocked because someone in Morocco had accessed my site from a cell phone. I had to change my password, which I did. Keep in mind that anyone can access your info from anyone in your friends list, so make sure you have as little info as possible in your FB profile.
  - Terry Corcoran > Barry Bernstein January 5, 2011 at 3:56pm
    
    The biggest thing you can do about FaceBook is use the privacy settings and tell your friends to do the same. In "Privacy settings" > "Connecting through Facebook" you can click "view settings" if this isn't what you want strangers to see change it. Essentially only my name, schools, work and web site come up for strangers so people can determine if I am who they are looking for. That way they can send me a message. You can block your friend list from view even from your friends. Select "custom" setting if you want to be selective or inclusive.
    
    Connie, I hope your neighbors second call was to the police... talk about unwanted drama in your booth and brain... The big missing van is a dead give away I think about this too. There might be a market for inexpensive pop up van replicas but they would probably blow over in a storm lol. If a neighbor is watching for an opportunity ya gotta move but for general outward appearance get someone to park a vehicle in the drive while you're away.
Terry Corcoran January 5, 2011 at 12:05pm

Well, I know jewelers who never did a show in their home town because local people would know their house was unattended along with their precious metals. So paranoia runs deep not just yours.

I don't advertise my home address anywhere, I'm a magnet for wierdo's at shows, just email contact info and phone. I do post my show schedule on my web site (when I update my page) and judging from my stats people do go and check it. Someone is usually at home because I do the shows on my own, also have a big dog. I think this is a bigger problem for traveling couples.

As Holly mentioned anyone can be found now days. Even people who don't use their real names. For privacy purposes I did start using my web hosts privacy option. This hides my address from people who know how to check Whosis.

I imagine you have as much chance of being robbed while you are on the road as people who are gone on vacation. Does your house look empty? Get an alarm system if it worries you too much. If someone is stalking you so they can rob your house they could see you at a local show or see your home town on booth sign and know where you are, point being there is only so much you can do, once done, worry won't help.

Luckily most of us aren't likely to be targets, who wants a six year old computer and an analogue TV with an 18" screen?
Munks January 5, 2011 at 9:20am

lol
Larry Berman January 5, 2011 at 4:27am

Get a Post Office Box for all online identification and on all sales related material, business cards and receipts etc. It's only when I started shooting jury slides of artwork a few years ago that I started posting my street address on my web site.

Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
- Munks > Larry Berman January 5, 2011 at 8:47am
  
  Did you tell the customer to "Git off mah land?"