Twitter user says vacation tweets led to burglary | CNET News — I’ve always been baffled why people announce their every move online. Some boneheads even publish their schedule in advance on blogs! What’s the point?

Here’s either a cautionary tale or an example of social-media paranoia. An Arizona man believes that his Twitter messages about going out of town led to a burglary at his home while he was away.

Israel Hyman posted to approximately 2,000 followers on Twitter that he and his wife were “preparing to head out of town,” that they had “another 10 hours of driving ahead” and later, that they “made it to Kansas City.”

When he came home, he found that someone had broken into his house and stolen thousands of dollars worth of video equipment he used for his video business, IzzyVideo.com, which he uses for his Twitter account.

“My wife thinks it could be a random thing, but I just have my suspicions,” he told the Associated Press. “They didn’t take any of our normal consumer electronics.”

Personally, I don’t think it’s a good idea to advertise to the world that your home will be unoccupied for a period of time. I also don’t think it’s necessary to reveal too many other personal details on social media sites that could be used for identity fraud, like your birth date.

When going on vacation use Twitter to post: “Spending the weekend cleaning my gun collection. I’m itching to try my new Springfield XD on something. My wife says I’m trigger-happy. What does she know?”

Found by Derek Thomas.




  1. Joey says:

    How could it not occur to him that someone might rob his home knowing that he’s out of town? I bet the burglar had enough time to eat a samm’ich too. Hold the mayo.

  2. Olo Baggins of Bywater says:

    Or how about:

    Looks like we both have swine flu, with maybe a touch of meningitis or flesh-eating bacteria. We’ll be lounging around here all week, with puke-buckets at arm’s reach and a few dozen rolls of TP…but the toilet’s not working so well for some reason.

  3. killer duck says:

    duh.
    Same with moronic facebook usage. People uploading live mobile pics to their accounts is a great way to invite unwanted “guests”.
    I bet this has been happening for a long time.

  4. Gary, the dangerous infidel says:

    I always thought that Twitter was the perfect way for a lazy stalker to follow their target’s every move, but this works too.

  5. faxon says:

    Perfect! The guy deserved it. Dope.

  6. Mac Guy says:

    Springfield XD is pretty nice. Mossberg 500 with a rifled slug leaves a bigger hole.

  7. brendal says:

    “restocking alligators in moat – a few died from eating too many intruders…”

  8. Personality says:

    I would love a Springfield XD 9mm!

  9. Mr. Fusion says:

    Put one of these on your door.

    http://tinyurl.com/kulqej

    http://tinyurl.com/l2bqoe

  10. UNKN says:

    Totally unrelated to the article, I love my Springfield XD, can’t wait to pick up an XD-M soon!

  11. smartalix says:

    9mm is for wimps. Go 10mm or .45 ACP. The 40 short will do in a pinch.

  12. AdmFubar says:

    “Personally, I don’t think it’s a good idea to advertise to the world that your home will be unoccupied for a period of time.”

    and hiilarity ensued….

    please tell us more…!!!!

  13. Two to the Head says:

    9mm with Hornady Tap 124 gr is ok, you might even be able to get a second shot off.

    12 gauge with 00 buckshot is still king though.

    yeehaw! badunk badunk.

  14. Another good tweet: “Whew! Just got my pit bull back from the cops after he tore some guy up. He has to stay in the house now, though.”

  15. Patrick says:

    #15 😈

  16. Mr. Fusion says:

    #15, JC

    You might also add something along the lines of needing to pick up some more dog food and how the dog hasn’t been fed in two days.

  17. Hmeyers says:

    Haha!

  18. Ah_Yea says:

    What if:

    A guy tweets that he is going out of town, but then changes his mind and stays home.

    A robber reads the tweet and breaks into his home.

    Guy shoots the robber dead.

    Would the guy be found guilty of “baiting” the robber (through the tweet) and found guilty of homicide?

  19. Lou says:

    You may be a twit tard if

  20. Personality says:

    12, a 9 has deeper penetration. OOhhhh my!

  21. soundwash says:

    well, at least it’s good to see the entrepreneurial spirit hasnt been
    squashed in America yet.

    flip side: sad to see people are getting dumber by the second.. technology’s dark side is rearing it’s ugly head.

    -s

  22. madtruckman says:

    #19-not in texas….maybe in lovable california though.

  23. shutterbrain says:

    [Comment deleted – Violation of Posting Guidelines. – ed.]

  24. ecohitman says:

    I’m surprised that after John mentions this scenario on No Agenda, it actually happens. Are you sure the perpetrator isn’t a No Agenda listener? Or maybe it was coincidence?

  25. Ah_Yea says:

    #23

    I like Texas!

  26. muoncapture says:

    “I’m itching to try my new Springfield XD on something”

    Wow! I’m impressed John. I didn’t know anyone from California knew what a Springfield XD was 😀
    *duck*

  27. Miss_X2b says:

    I wonder how his insurance company is going to handle the claim if they find out the robbery might be related to his own stupidity of announcing his whereabouts. 🙂

  28. Jägermeister says:

    #10 – Mr. Fusion – Put one of these on your door.

    That ought to work. 😀

  29. Joe says:

    The more things change, they more then remain the same.

    Hopefully the victim will breed less, or at least pay his taxes more.

  30. zorkor says:

    People use twitter for useless things like “I just ate a tuna sandwich” Or ” i am waiting for my girl friend” or “I am renting movies now”…sheesh. Cant blame the twitter.com but sure can blame the tweeters.


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