Be Smart: Keep Conference Plans Quiet!

[PCLaurel]

In today's day & age, you can never be too certain about other people whom you may know only casually. My up-line has a very good tip that she's been instilling in her team members, and I thought it warranted being passed along.

As much as we might want to let everyone & their brother know how excited we are to be going to conference, you never know who is listening or what they might do with that information. Depending on your family / living circumstances, your presence at conference may mean that your house is sitting empty for several days, which is not really the kind of information that should be widely circulated.

When booking your calendars or talking about summer plans, you might want to say that you'll be doing a bit of a "staycation" in early July, and that you won't be booking any shows / scheduling any appointments, rather than saying that you are going to conference from July 7 thru 9th. Likewise, don't list those dates as "conference" on the calendar pages you show prospective hosts - write "staycation" or just X the dates out.

I might be a little bit too paranoid, but I've known several people who were robbed while they were known to be attending funerals or known to be on vacation, so I tend to not publicize when I'll be out of the house.

 

[raebates]

Excellent reminder. My house isn't empty, and you can't find my address with any mapping software currently widely available. Still, I'll be mentioning that I'll be "taking a break from Facebook" instead of "heading to Chicago for NC."

 

[BethCooks4U]

Excellent reminder. My house isn't empty, and you can't find my address with any mapping software currently widely available. Still, I'll be mentioning that I'll be "taking a break from Facebook" instead of "heading to Chicago for NC."

I was just going to say that we should be careful of what we post on FB. I never say "I'm going" I say "I just returned from..." Even when I was in the hospital I didn't want to advertise that the house might be empty so I was careful what I said, if anything. DH is really neurotic about this and I totally get it. Why even put it out there.

I wouldn't even announce that your taking a break from Facebook. I'd say "did you miss me" when I get back. As far as talking about NC, I think it's okay to do that but I'd specifically say that I'm going alone, that it's a get-away from the family too. That way people think people will be at the house, maybe babysitting... My house won't be empty either but bad guys don't necessarily know that.

We are taking a vacation out of the country and I will be totally unavailable so we have told two trusted neighbors, the PO will know (stopping the mail, of course) and I'm considering telling the local police. My family (who lives 1000 miles from us) and team will know. Otherwise I am not letting anyone know about it and it's hard because it's a dream vacation and I want to talk about it. I'll have much to say about it when I return. I'm not even putting an out of the office message on my phone.

 

[otisbg]

It is a good idea to notify the police. In my city, they will do drive by's and even get out and walk around the property to check for anything unusual - it is your tax dollars at work!!

 

[Shawnna]

Very good advice. I tell my children...and anyone else who will listen...to never post on FB that we are all gone from our home. I have seen where someone posts that they and several other names have checked in at... This lets everyone know that your house is empty. Its not paranoid...its being smart.