Going on a cruise soon, but not telling when!

#1 (**permalink**) August 26th, 2005, 06:31 AM

I must be crazy, but I am very leary to tell when my next cruise is. I recently had someone I know have their house broken into due to going to a funeral and someone read the obits. in the paper and robbed their house.
Sheesh why am I so paranoid?
How long before it will be hackers can somehow learn who you are, really it could be done!

Mary Margaret
Cruise......sometime soon!

Carole and Johnny · #2 (**permalink**) August 26th, 2005, 07:05 AM

That's common with Weddings too. It is suggested that people getting married post their wedding announcement AFTER they return. As for the announcement that goes in before the wedding...........not everyone takes a honeymoon right away, or the announcement could read, "they will be taking a delayed honeymoon".

There are lots of reasons not to reveal when you are leaving and I don't think you are paranoid for not telling. It isn't too difficult to find out who someone is on the internet. Some are more difficult than others but overall, it is not to tough especially when some people add their city, state and other personal info in public profiles (yahoo, msn, etc).

MichelleP · #3 (**permalink**) August 26th, 2005, 08:59 AM

Mary Margaret - you are probably being much smarter than the rest of us! Good for you.

Cheers,
Michelle P.

Kuki · #4 (**permalink**) August 26th, 2005, 09:31 AM

Well, nothing is ever impossible, but I think I prefer to be less paranoid, because it can happen regardless.

Our home was broken into several years back when Mrs. Kuki went to the grocery store. She returned 20 minutes later to find the place ransacked, and lots of things gone. Amazing how much stuff professionals can get in a short time!

It's similar to after 9/11 and so many people were afraid to fly. Statistically they were putting themselves in more danger, because they were more at risk of death driving to their destinations.

PapaBill · #5 (**permalink**) August 26th, 2005, 10:12 AM

See that van parked across the street. Those are my guys just waiting to see you come out with suitcases.
Seriously, probably not a bad idea if you think there is some way to identify you and where you live. The funeral robbery thing happened to a dear friend during his wife's funeral years ago. This is something Gram is always worried about when we travel.

#6 (**permalink**) August 26th, 2005, 10:20 AM

My DH also was very leery when I first started posting on this site. He didn't want anybody to know anything for the reasons Mary Margaret suggests. I guess we've both relaxed a lot since then. But it's no fun being so secretive, either.

Judy

KimJack · #7 (**permalink**) August 26th, 2005, 11:17 AM

I'm not afraid to reveal my address. For you bad guys out there, here it is: 6907 Railway Avenue, Dundalk, Maryland. Phhhhht!!

Oh, did I fail to mention that it's where I lived 50 years ago? Sorry, bad guys! If you can find out my current address, and if you can beat my security system and my setup of claymore mines, good luck! lol

Jack

#8 (**permalink**) August 26th, 2005, 11:48 AM

Carole!
Wow I never thougth about the wedding thing!

I think I am going to pack all my stuff in grocery bags when we leave for our cruise, that way the "Van" will not think we are going anyplace. VBG

Thanks for all of you not thinking I was crazy!
Mary Margaret

rollerdonna · #9 (**permalink**) August 26th, 2005, 01:09 PM

I've heard the same thing about birth announcements in the paper - don't place them until AFTER you are home with the baby, because thieves will know everyone is at the hospital..... sad world we live in isn't it?

donna

Fern · #10 (**permalink**) August 26th, 2005, 07:57 PM

Mary Margaret,

I don't think you are at all paranoid!

We've always asked some people who aren't close friends, but want to know what they can do to help, to "baby-sit" the house for funerals, weddings, etc.

When we're going on vacation we always load the luggage with the garage door down.

Our trusted neighbors on both sides each have a key to our house and are also very dependable as far as watching what's going on, and we reciprocate.

We also have a house/cat sitter who comes to our house at different times, opens and closes curtains, turns lights on and off, and also stays over some nights.

I never use my real name on ANY web-sites.

Maybe I AM overly paranoid, but at least I feel safe leaving my home.

Thomas · #11 (**permalink**) August 27th, 2005, 08:46 AM

If you own nothing but junk, like I do, they won't bother you. I promise.

I leave the door open, lights on, and a tray of snacks for anyone who wants to ransack my house. Unfortunately for me, the only time someone "broke" into my house they left more junk behind. But it was better than my stuff so I kept it.

Regards,
Thomas