Burglars target Facebook users

Users of social networking sites have been warned that what they post online could lead to their home being burgled after a report found burglars are using the sites to find targets.

British insurance company Legal & General issued the warning to customers after its report The Digital Criminal revealed burglars trawl websites like Facebook and Twitter for information that could help them rob people.

The Daily Mail reported the company said it was considering asking customers if they used social networking sites.

Police have said it could only be a matter of time before the trend hits here, while insurance companies say they do not yet question customers' online habits.

Insurance Council spokesman Chris Ryan said as a general rule, insurance companies advised clients not to leave answerphone messages that said they would be away, or out-of-office email replies that gave details of travel plans.

"I don't think it's an issue in New Zealand and I don't expect it to be an issue as long as people take normal precautions," he said.

"The real concern for people I think is viruses, hackers, and security issues around the internet itself, not so much people being aware that you aren't at home and stealing property."

Constable Dave Bealing, from the Wellington police burglary squad, said he did not know of any cases where thieves had used the internet to case homes to steal from "but it wouldn't surprise me".

He said trends in Britain often took some time to reach New Zealand.