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A few days ago, in a local Facebook community group, a well-meaning gentleman posted something that caught my eye.
He announced that he’d be away from home for eight to nine weeks over December and January.
He kindly asked if any local kids might want to “pop by once a week, water the plants, and collect the mail.”
He probably thought it was a harmless, neighbourly gesture—a simple request for help during the Christmas holidays.
But to anyone who’s ever worked in security, investigations, or intelligence, what he really did was broadcast an invitation:
“Dear criminals, my home will be empty for two months. Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
This story isn’t about shaming an innocent mistake. It’s about exposing the dangerous naivety of our digital age—especially during a time when social media turns into an open diary of travel plans, family gatherings, and brand-new gifts.
December is a time when most people tend to relax their security measures.
We believe the Christmas spirit protects us; we assume goodwill is universal. But criminals see opportunity, where we see celebration.
According to NSW Crime Stoppers, Christmas is literally “the most wonderful time of the year
for burglaries.”
Their campaign warns that break-ins spike because homes are full of presents and electronics, and many residents are away visiting relatives or travelling.
The data confirms it:
Over the past five years, NSW Police recorded an average of 763 property offenses on Christmas Eve, compared with a daily average of 629—a 23 percent increase.
NRMA Insurance reports a 20 percent national surge in home-theft claims
during December.
Across Australia, the ABS notes property crime rising again, from 191,000 to 218,000 incidents in 2023–24, reversing years of decline.
Most burglaries occur in broad daylight—typically between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., when people are out shopping, attending church services, or visiting family.
Criminals don’t wear balaclavas under moonlight anymore; they drive vans in daylight, following predictable patterns posted online by unsuspecting homeowners.
In intelligence work, we call this OSINT—Open-Source Intelligence.
It means collecting publicly available information to map behaviors, routines, and vulnerabilities.
What was once the tool of intelligence agencies is now the toolkit of opportunistic thieves.
Here’s how it typically works:
A homeowner posts, “Finally heading to Bali for three weeks—can’t wait for cocktails by the pool!”
Their photos show luggage, boarding passes, and sometimes even the front of
their house.
Criminals cross-reference the surname with property listings, Google Maps images, or local group posts.
A quick drive-by confirms the target: full mailbox, no lights, no dog.
It’s not hacking. It’s listening.
The same way we used to intercept enemy communications in the field, today’s criminals monitor digital chatter.
Except now, the targets hand over their intelligence—willingly.
And it’s not just burglars. Fraudsters monitor travel posts to time identity theft, parcel interception, or credit card redirection scams. Every “gone for holidays” caption provides both timeline and motive.
What motivates us to continually share our locations?
The answer is simple: validation.
In an era of digital self-presentation, we don’t just live moments; we announce them.
We seek approval through likes and comments—but forget that criminals are
excellent observers, too.
In psychology, this is called the illusion of audience control—the false belief that only our friends see what we share.
Yet even private groups leak information. Screenshots circulate. Posts get shared. A mere “friend-of-a-friend” connection can provide access to someone who is familiar with your street but unfamiliar with your name.
During my years in intelligence operations, we were taught one universal rule:
“Information, once shared, can never be retrieved—only exploited.”
Back then, our mission was to protect classified data from hostile agents.
Today, the battlefield has moved into neighbourhoods and newsfeeds.
When I see people posting flight itineraries or asking strangers to water their plants online, it reminds me of surveillance operations where small, harmless pieces of data built entire profiles.
No breaking, no hacking—just patience and observation.
Criminals use the same principle.
The modern thief doesn’t need crowbars; they need curiosity and connectivity.
The consequences extend beyond lost jewellery or gadgets.
Insurance companies can—and do—deny claims if negligence is evident.
If your insurer finds you publicly declared your home empty for weeks, that can be interpreted as failure to take “reasonable precautions.”
GIO Insurance, in its Christmas home-security guide, warns homeowners to “avoid broadcasting travel plans online” and use timers for lights and radios to simulate activity.
However, very few homeowners read those disclaimers until after experiencing a break-in.
There’s also the emotional cost—the feeling of violation.
Every investigator has seen it: the homeowner staring at an empty lounge room where once stood a Christmas tree piled with gifts.
The damage isn’t just financial; it’s psychological.
Let’s apply intelligence principles to civilian life.
Protecting your home is not about paranoia—it’s about discipline and procedure.
Here are the essentials, supported by NSW Police and security experts:
Control Your Narrative Online.
Post travel photos only after returning home.
Disable location tagging.
Never reveal duration or destination publicly.
Use Layered Deterrence.
Put lights on timers, secure locks, visible cameras, and alarm stickers.
A thief’s first instinct is to seek low risk—make your house look inconvenient.
Establish Trusted Offline Help.
Instead of public appeals, privately engage neighbours or friends to collect mail and check property.
Secure Deliveries and Parcels.
Use collection lockers or redirect mail.
Overflowing parcels signal vacancy.
Conduct a “Digital Hygiene Audit.”
Review what your posts reveal: number plates, addresses, street views, or even
work uniforms.
Remember, patterns—not posts—betray location.
Insurance Readiness.
Please ensure your policy is verified before you leave.
Document valuables, lock up important documents, and store backups offsite.
Community Awareness.
Join local Neighbourhood Watch programs or download police safety brochures such as Protect Your Home from NSW Police.
Awareness is collective defense.
We often say, “Home is where the heart is.”
In intelligence terms, home is where the data resides.
The enemy—whether state, corporate, or criminal—always seeks the easiest entry point.
Today, that entry point is our keyboard.
When you post your plans online, you might as well hang a sign reading: “Premises unoccupied. Please rob responsibly.”
It sounds sarcastic, but this is the absurdity of modern life—we spend thousands on locks, alarms, and insurance, only to undo it all with a careless status update.
Christmas should be a time for reflection, generosity, and peace—not police reports, insurance claims, or shattered glass.
The holidays remind us that while goodwill exists, so does opportunism.
I’ve seen both sides of human nature—the soldier who risks his life to save others and the thief who risks prison for a quick score.
The difference between them often lies not in intelligence, but in intent.
So, as you prepare to travel, visit family, or post your festive selfies, remember this:
Awareness is not fear—it’s respect for reality.
Because the truth is simple:
You can’t control who scrolls your feed, but you can control what they see.
Protect your home like you’d protect your reputation.
Guard your privacy like you’d guard your family.
And this Christmas, let your most valuable gift be discretion.
References:
NSW Crime Stoppers (2024). It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year for Burglaries.
NSW Police. Protect Your Home Brochure.
NRMA Insurance Data 2023.
GIO Insurance (2024). Home Security Tips for Christmas.
Secure Your Home Day (2024). How Common Are Home Invasions?
