Twitter users face insurance hikes
USING Social media sites like Twitter and Facebook could cost homeowners up to ten per cent more in insurance premiums a top industry spokesperson has warned.
The announcement follows the launch of PleaseRobMe.com, a new site which highlights how oblivious internet users posting their whereabouts on social networking sites could be leaving their homes wide open for burglars.
Now, home insurance providers are starting to check online pages of potential customers, who could face much higher premiums if they aren’t keeping their information safe.
Darren Black, of insurance website Confused.com, warned that criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their information gathering.
He explained that they are now using web tools like Google Earth and Street View to plan their burglaries with “military precision”.
“Home insurance providers assessing claims are starting to take information revealed on the sites into account,” he added.
“We may, in future, see insurers declining claims if they believe the customer is negligent.”
Social media users have been warned to stay safe by checking who they allow to access their online information.
“It’s crucial to keep a keen eye on your friends list - an increasing number of thieves have been known to add you as a buddy just to check your suitability as a victim,” Mr Black added.
Many social media sites allow users updating their pages from smart-phones to include their exact global co-ordinates automatically with their posts.
In addition, many iPhone users are unaware that pictures uploaded from their handset can contain their exact location in the file information.
Makers of the RobMeNow.com site explained that their intention is not, and never has been, to have people burgled.
The site’s creators explained that they love the location based social media developments, which they say “can be used to create some pretty awesome applications.”
“However, the way in which people are stimulated to participate in sharing this information, is less awesome.”
“The danger is publicly telling people where you are. This is because it leaves one place you’re definitely not - home.
“So here we are; on one end we’re leaving lights on when we’re going on a holiday, and on the other we’re telling everybody on the Internet we’re not home.
They added that the goal of the site is to raise awareness on this issue and have people think about how they use services like Foursquare, Brightkite and the controversial new Google Buzz.
“All this site is a dressed up Twitter search page,” the owners added.
“Everybody can get this information.”
