posted on Feb, 16 2010 @ 05:10 PM
Not sure if this is in the right forum, but I thought it fit.
The current GPS systems used in cars are a carjackers dream come true. Any system that uses a "home" function -- meaning you select home from your
programmed destinations -- is the worst and most unsafe feature to utilize.
Once someone has your car -- and more than likely your house keys if they didn't need to hot wire it -- he/she can now simply hit the home button on
your GPS system and be able to identify exactly where you live. In fact, if they are an out-of-town thief, it would even give them step-by-step
directions directly to your front door. Plus, they now may even have the key to get in!!
Keep in mind they will have your home address and be able to "visit" at any time -- not necessarily just when your car first gets stolen.
Instead, program the HOME button with the address of your local police station. Then, since we can't be without the route to our home at all times,
save the address to your house under another title -- such as your last name, a favorite location that you haven't stored elsewhere, etc. Something
you will be able to easily find but not obvious to your average run-of-the-mill criminal.
With the recession, there have been a lot of petty crimes. People leave their car running to go grab a cup of coffee or something and someone else
comes along and steals what's inside. With the car running, it will only take seconds for someone to slip in, hit the home button, and get your
exact address. Not something you would want someone to have -- especially if you show up at the same coffee shop everyday and they can ascertain
exactly when the house would be empty. Further, who needs what could have been a petty crime -- such as stealing some CDs, a laptop, etc., turning
into a home burglary.
I thought I would just pass this advice along since many people -- at least the ones that I know -- use their GPS systems constantly and never think
about all of the information contained on them.
This same warning would apply to any device -- cell phone, portable GPS, etc. -- that could be stolen and provide all of your home / personal
information.