How Criminals Use Real Estate Websites Like Zillow to Plan Home Break-ins

Criminals are now using public real estate websites to plan burglaries, a new tactic compared to older methods.
By Newsroom | Crime, Technology |

A growing number of law enforcement agencies are warning homeowners about a new way criminals are planning break-ins. They are using public websites that show homes for sale, like Zillow and Redfin, to find targets. This is a change from how criminals used to scout homes.

The main concern is that detailed information and photos of homes are easily available online. Even if a home is not currently for sale, old pictures and details might still be visible. This allows criminals to learn about a property without ever visiting it in person.

How Criminals Are Using Online Real Estate Data

Authorities in several states, including California, Michigan, and Arizona, have issued warnings about this trend. Police departments have observed criminals using online real estate platforms as a tool for digital reconnaissance. This means they are doing their "homework" online before attempting a break-in.

Read More: Australian Footballers Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald Arrested for Trespassing in Arizona

Criminals are using Zillow to plan break-ins. Here’s how to remove your home in 10 minutes. - 1

  • Scouting for Targets: Websites like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com display information about homes, including pictures, property details, and sometimes even past listing information.

  • Planning the Invasion: Criminals can use this information to understand the layout of a home, identify potential entry points, and assess the value of what might be inside.

  • Beyond Zillow and Redfin: The concern also extends to tools like Google Maps and Google Street View, which can provide aerial views and street-level images of properties. Some reports suggest drones are also being used to survey neighborhoods.

What Information is Available Online?

Websites that list homes for sale typically include:

  • Exterior Photos: Showing the front, back, and sides of the house.

  • Interior Photos: Revealing the layout, rooms, and sometimes personal belongings.

  • Property Details: Such as square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and lot size.

  • Past Listing Information: Sometimes, even after a home is sold, old photos and details remain accessible.

The key issue is that information once meant for buyers and sellers is now being used by criminals for planning illegal activities.

Taking Action to Protect Your Home

Homeowners can take steps to reduce the amount of information available online about their properties.

Criminals are using Zillow to plan break-ins. Here’s how to remove your home in 10 minutes. - 2

Removing Listing Photos

For homes currently listed for sale or that have been recently sold, owners may be able to remove photos from real estate websites.

  • Zillow: Instructions suggest navigating to the "Edit Photos" section of a listing and selecting "Hide listing photos." For a claimed home, there is an option to "Remove Photos."

  • General Advice: Experts advise homeowners to actively search for their address on these platforms and remove any outdated or unwanted photos.

Protecting Your Online Presence

Beyond real estate sites, other online tools are also being used.

  • Google Street View: Some homeowners are choosing to blur the images of their homes on Google Street View to prevent them from being easily identified and surveyed.

  • People Search Sites: It is noted that basic personal information, including home addresses, can be found through simple online searches.

Expert and Official Perspectives

Law enforcement officials are highlighting the shift towards digital methods in criminal planning.

Criminals are using Zillow to plan break-ins. Here’s how to remove your home in 10 minutes. - 3

"Authorities in California, Michigan, and Arizona now warn homeowners about a disturbing trend: burglars use real estate platforms like Zillow and Redfin to identify homes for potential burglaries." - IBTimes and Inkl (reporting on similar warnings)

Sharon Polsky, president of the Privacy & Access Council of Canada, commented on the broader trend:

"criminals could even use Google Maps to target vehicles." - IBTimes

Jarid Zuetel of the Riverside Police Department stated that homeowners should consider additional online tools to protect their property.

Security and Privacy Concerns

The use of real estate websites by criminals raises significant privacy and security questions.

Read More: Acer Laptops: Nvidia GPU Not Detected on Nitro and Predator Models Since January 2024

  • Ease of Access: The information is readily available to anyone with an internet connection.

  • Digital Reconnaissance: This method bypasses the need for physical surveillance, making it harder for neighbors or traditional security measures to detect.

  • Targeting: Criminals can be more precise in choosing their targets based on the perceived wealth or security of a home.

The challenge lies in balancing the public accessibility of property information for legitimate purposes with the need to prevent its misuse by those with criminal intent.

Conclusion

The tactic of using online real estate platforms for planning home invasions represents an evolving threat landscape for homeowners. Law enforcement agencies are actively alerting the public to this new digital method being employed by criminals. While real estate websites serve a vital function for buyers and sellers, their publicly accessible data is now being exploited. Homeowners are advised to proactively manage their online presence by removing outdated photos and information from these platforms, as well as considering other privacy measures like blurring their homes on mapping services. The implications are a heightened need for digital vigilance alongside traditional home security practices.

Sources Used:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are criminals using real estate websites to plan home invasions?
Criminals are using public websites like Zillow and Redfin because they offer detailed photos and information about homes. This allows them to scout properties online without needing to visit them in person.
Q: What kind of information can criminals find on real estate websites?
They can find exterior and interior photos of homes, property details like size and rooms, and sometimes even past listing information. This helps them understand the home's layout and what might be inside.
Q: Which states have warned about this trend of using real estate websites for crime?
Law enforcement agencies in California, Michigan, and Arizona have issued warnings about criminals using online real estate platforms. This digital scouting is a new method for planning break-ins.
Q: How can homeowners protect their homes from this type of crime?
Homeowners can remove listing photos from websites like Zillow by editing their listing or claiming their home and removing photos. They can also blur their home on Google Street View to make it harder to identify.
Q: Besides real estate sites, what other online tools are criminals using?
Criminals are also using tools like Google Maps and Google Street View for aerial and street-level views of properties. Some reports also mention the use of drones for surveying neighborhoods.
Q: What is the main concern about this trend for homeowners?
The main concern is that information meant for buyers and sellers is easily accessible to criminals. This makes it easier for them to plan break-ins with less risk of being detected during the scouting phase.