Most automotive GPS devices I’ve had my hands on—even the older ones—have a programmable “home” button. A lot of the newer ones also have a “work” as well as several slots to save other locations you frequently drive to like a friend or relative’s house, or maybe your favorite restaurant.
I don’t know anyone who has had this problem personally, but I’ve read all kinds of stories and articles about thieves stealing a GPS device and then hitting the “home” button and going to the victim’s house and stealing even more things while you’re away or busy trying to figure out what happened to your car. Maybe it makes me paranoid (I mean, it’s not like I really have anything worth stealing anyway) but I don’t like the idea of it.
So, and maybe this makes me sound weird and paranoid, but I can’t say that I’ve ever really programmed the ‘home’ button on my GPS. Not only do I not want to share my location with possible thieves, but the idea of needing directions back to my house seems a little ludicrous. Back to my city, maybe. But my house? Nah.
Anyway, it got me to wondering. Am I the only one who worries about these things? I mean, does that sort of thing even happen?
Turns out yes. Yes it does.
In fact, one particular article I found while trying to decide if this was something I ought to even worry about was written by a car thief and gave a lot of suggestions on how to not be robbed. Most of them are pretty common sense, but that article even mentioned the GPS thing. So does this one. This article actually had the great suggestion of programming a nearby intersection or business instead of your home address. Program it to somewhere where you’ll be able to find your house without trouble, or if you’re really feeling paranoid, program it for the police station. You know where your house is anyway, right?
But, like I said… perhaps I’m just paranoid. Do you use the “Home” button at all? Is it something you’ve ever worried about? Tell me your thoughts in the comments!
