‘Stick figure’ families may be dangerous
The seemingly innocuous stickers provide criminals with vital information.
WE’VE all seen them – the stick figure family (complete with pet) decals, proudly displayed on the rear window of the family vehicle.
These are seen as a harmless bit of fun but police in the United States are advising families to remove these stickers as they may be serving a more sinister purpose.
It stands to reason: the stickers show criminals exactly how many people are in your family, more or less how old they are, and even if they need to be extra-careful as you have a dog.
This is already invaluable information for a criminal, but add to that the bumper sticker from your child’s school or sports team or your company’s logo and you have unwittingly provided a whole lot of info you would probably never have revealed under normal circumstances.
When it comes to personal safety, the less information about you, your family, your workplace or your daily routine visible to prying eyes, the better.
