We love sharing life online—vacations, nights out, airport selfies. But in the rush to document the moment, many people don’t realize they’re broadcasting something far more dangerous: their absence.
To a thief, your carefully curated social feed is a road map to an empty house. And while you may think only friends see your posts, the internet has a long memory and a wide audience. Public accounts, shared stories, tagged locations, and mutual followers all expand your visibility more than you may realize.
So before you post that beach selfie or hotel check-in, consider this: you might be telling someone exactly when your home is unprotected. Here are eight types of social media posts that send all the wrong signals.
1. Real-Time Vacation Photos
The number one giveaway? Posting while you’re still away. Whether it’s a photo of your toes in the sand, a mountain hike, or a cocktail at a resort, it’s an open invitation for someone to take advantage.
Burglars know that if you’re sunbathing in Mexico on Tuesday, your home is sitting empty back in the States. Even a short weekend getaway can be enough time for a break-in. The smarter move? Wait until you’re back to post your vacation album. Real-time isn’t just fun for friends. It’s also helpful for people with bad intentions.
2. “Checking In” at Airports, Hotels, and Events
Location tags make your post pop, but they also make it obvious you’re not at home. Check-ins at airports, concerts, conventions, or hotels confirm your physical absence.
Even worse, if you include dates (“Leaving for two weeks!”) or countdowns (“Only three more days until Italy!”), you’re giving thieves a timeline. It’s like setting a countdown clock on your own security. Turning off location services and skipping check-ins altogether is a small step that can keep your home safer while you’re away.
3. Posting Your Travel Itinerary or Boarding Pass
Snapping a pic of your boarding pass or sharing your full itinerary may seem innocent, but it offers burglars two valuable things:
- A guarantee you’re far from home.
- An exact schedule of when you’ll be gone.
Worse, boarding passes often contain personal data like booking numbers, full names, and frequent flyer details, which can be used for identity theft or doxxing. If you wouldn’t pin your vacation schedule on your front door, don’t post it online.
4. Sharing That You’re “Out for the Night”
Even local updates can be risky. A post about being out for dinner, at a party, or attending a late-night event shows you’re not home at the moment and possibly won’t be for hours. To someone scoping your neighborhood, that’s valuable intel.
One-off posts might not seem like a big deal, but for repeat offenders or stalkers monitoring your activity, they’re part of a larger behavioral pattern. It’s not just what you share. It’s when and how often that matters.
5. Showing Off Large Purchases (That Are Now Sitting Home Alone)
People love to show off new purchases: TVs, designer bags, expensive electronics, or luxury home upgrades. But when you combine those posts with any hint that you’re leaving town, you’re essentially saying, “Come get it.”
Thieves target homes not just for what’s inside, but for what’s worth the risk. If you advertise high-ticket items and also give away your absence, you’re painting a target on your front door. Post the new gear after you’ve made sure your home is secure, and preferably while you’re around to protect it.
6. Tagging Locations Far from Home
Even if you don’t explicitly say you’re traveling, tagging distant places or remote locations can still be a giveaway. A family hiking trail five hours away? That’s not a quick errand. A winery in another state? You’re not home by dinner.
People assume that a casual location tag isn’t a big deal, but depending on your privacy settings, it can be. Public or shared posts are easily discoverable by strangers, bots, and algorithms. Avoid using geo-tags or delay tagging locations until after you return.
7. Publicly Answering “Out of Office” Comments
Let’s say someone comments, “Hey, where are you? Haven’t seen you around!” and you reply, “I’m in Hawaii all week!” That reply, especially if your account is public, is visible to everyone, not just your friends.
Even if you meant to be casual or conversational, you’re still confirming that your home is empty. And replies on posts or story comments can sometimes spread further than the original content. When in doubt, use private messages instead of public comments when discussing your whereabouts.
8. Posting Photos That Reveal Empty Driveways or Unlocked Doors
It may not seem obvious, but background details in your posts matter. An Instagram photo showing your driveway empty, porch light off, or a door ajar can send subtle signals.
Some burglars look for specific signs like no cars parked outside, no movement for hours, or a mailbox piling up. If you’re sharing content that reinforces those cues, intentionally or not, you’re giving them confirmation. Review your photos before posting. Is there anything in the background that says, “No one’s home”?
The Safer Way to Share
You don’t need to delete your Instagram or disappear from the grid forever. But smart posting means thinking one step ahead:
- Delay travel photos until you’re back home
- Disable public check-ins and location tags
- Avoid detailed replies about your absence
- Use trusted friends or neighbors to grab your mail or keep an eye on your property
- Consider smart home tech like motion lights or timed lighting to create the appearance of presence
Burglars no longer need to case your house in person. Your social media is doing the scouting for them—unless you learn how to outsmart the system.
Have you ever posted something online and later realized it compromised your privacy or safety? What would you do differently now?
Read More:
Wrapping Your Car Keys In Foil Could Prevent Theft, Here’s How
10 Hiding Spots That Practically Hand Your Cash to Burglars
Riley Schnepf is an Arizona native with over nine years of writing experience. From personal finance to travel to digital marketing to pop culture, she’s written about everything under the sun. When she’s not writing, she’s spending her time outside, reading, or cuddling with her two corgis.
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