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Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand ForksFacebook photo prompts gunpoint robbery

Facebook photo prompts gunpoint robbery

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On Thursday night, Schemes & Ripoffs on Valley News Live, highlighted a frightening story of a woman who believes a photo on Facebook what prompted two men to break into her home  and rob her.

The picture portrays the woman holding and surrounded by money from a settlement she received after a car accident.

The incident happened in Alton, Illinois. KSDK.Com reports: "The woman claims the two men held a gun to the heads of her three children and demanded, "Where's the money?" But she says you will no longer find her profile on Facebook. And more importantly, she says the money was never in her home."

"We believe motivation was linked, possibly, to something that was described on the Facebook page of the victim's," said Lt. Scott Golike, Alton Police Department.

Better Business Bureau officials say watch what you include in your Facebook profile.

"Watch what you post. And if you post something make sure you understand people can see it. Watch your account settings; make sure your privacy settings are where they are," said BBB Director of Communications Chris Thetford. "If you only want people who are friends of yours on Facebook to see your pictures, in this instance, make sure you've got your privacy settings set that way."

TIPS TO AVOID THIEVES USING YOUR FACEBOOK INFO TO PREY ON YOU

  • AVOID LISTING YOUR FULL PHONE NUMBER, DATE OF BIRTH OR HOME ADDRESS ON YOUR PROFILE
  • DON'T REVEAL YOUR VACATION PLANS - IT ALERTS CROOKS YOU WON'T BE HOME
  • NAMES OF RELATIVES CAN BE USED IN A NEW KIND OF SCAM WHERE YOU ARE CALLED AND ASKED TO SEND MONEY TO GET A RELATIVE OUT OF TROUBLE
  • DON'T BRAG ABOUT FINANCIAL WINDFALLS AND REMEMBER YOUR PHOTOS CAN REVEAL AS MUCH AS YOUR WORDS CAN.
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