SafeBlog

Today, for millions of people, having a Facebook page has almost become de rigueur. Just in the United States alone, more than 33 million people of all ages visit this new cyber destination and cultural phenomenon, almost daily, and spend hours socializing and networking with friends, business associates, acquaintances and also total strangers. Because Facebook also has the ability to give criminals, including sexual predators, unfettered access to the website’s uninitiated users, it is very important to know how to use some of the privacy tools that the site offers.

Facebook began as a socializing tool for college students however, today, it’s used by just about everybody, all over the world. Users face potential danger especially when posting personal information, including photos and videos. So it is important to use precaution(s) when using this social media juggernaut.

Here are 6 safety tips to help keep your profile private and reduce chances of falling victim to predators lurking on Facebook:

1. Limit visibility of your Contact Information (phone number, email address, IM screen name and physical address) by going to “Privacy Settings” under “Account.”
2. Limit visibility of status updates, especially if posting potentially offensive statuses.
3. Block any users you find threatening so that they cannot search for your profile. In essence, it appears that you no longer exist on Facebook to that person. You can do this under “Privacy Settings” or click the “Report/Block This Person” button on the bottom left of their profile.
4. Be careful when posting your whereabouts. Make sure only your friends can see your location. For example, “John Doe: is having lunch at Olive Garden on 1^st and Wetmore St.” or “John Doe: is on vacation in Hawaii…won’t be home for 2 weeks!” This provides ample opportunities for predators to target your home during your absence.
5. Make use of your “Limited Profile,” where you can selectively block information from an entire group by placing people you don’t know well into a “Limited Profile” group.
6. Hide pictures or wall posts if you are concerned about too much of your personal life being exposed. Individual photo albums can be blocked from certain people or groups.

To update these settings go to the drop-down menu at the top right that says “Account” and click on “Privacy Settings.” Here you will find options that allow you to a) let everyone see all your information, b) only friends of friends, c) friends only, d) recommended, or e) custom. In order to hide information or pictures only from select groups, choose the custom option.

Facebook, along with all other social media sites, is an invaluable personal and business networking tool, but it is imperative that people use caution when using them. Remember, information posted on the Internet can easily be tracked and while the Net provides many opportunities and benefits to individuals, it can also lead to tragedy. Always be aware of unidentified users, especially when sharing personal information with them, because they pose potential threats. However, by following these 6 simple steps, you’ll be on your way to enjoying a safer Facebook experience.

Around 10:30pm on May 11, 2011 Garrett Berki, an 18-year-old resident of San Diego who graduated from La Jolla High School was shot and killed during a planned Craigslist transaction.

Garrett Berki replied to a Craigslist ad for a $600 MacBook Pro in the San Diego area. When Berki and his girlfriend appeared for the transaction, three 17-year-old boys robbed them of their cell phones and money. The attackers then chased Berki and his girlfriend in a vehicle where Berki was shot in the chest while attempting to drive away. Berki died about an hour later at the hospital.

The accused killers are Rashon Abernathy, Seandell Jones and Shaquille Jordan. Although they are minors, they are being tried as adults and may face 50 years to life in prison if convicted.

Stories like these are occurring more and more frequently. At Safelist.com, we feel, as citizens and parents, it’s our job to create a safer community. Online local classifieds are here to stay, so Safelist.com is taking extra steps to make the online shopping experience safer.

All members who join Safelist.com have their identity verified before they can post or respond to ads. Therefore the risk of someone using a fake email or name is essentially eliminated. To get even greater reliability as a member, upgrading to a Gold membership requires a criminal background check. Although this does not guarantee buyers are free from potential harm, it is an extra step that other classifieds sites like Craigslist do not offer.

No matter how extensive background checks are, classified users still need to use precautions and their own best judgment when completing transactions.

A few tips to stay safe during classified transactions include:

• Meet in a public place such as Starbucks or grocery stores to complete the transaction.
• If you are uncomfortable for any reason, walk away. Just because you set up a place and time to meet doesn’t commit you to purchasing if you don’t feel safe.
• Research. If you are buying something big such as a computer or a car, do your research to ensure the item you’re buying works and is priced fairly.
• Remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of scams if a price is set too low.
• Take advantage of Safelist’s advanced features like voice or video chat to talk directly to the buyer/seller before meeting.

Tragedies like the death of Garrett Berki can be prevented by taking security measures into your own hands. At Safelist.com we’re building a safer community to prevent these types of tragedies from occurring.