Booking.com and legalities

MeandHer1989

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly00jnnxypo

So after reading this and getting a message to say my pin had changed for my booking, and then another saying ot had changed again after they realised they'd been hacked….so what are the legalities if we get broken into while we are away (As the hackers will know the dates)

MeteredOut

Do you mean hackers break into your home while you are away?

Its very unlikely the hackers are even in the same country as you, or know people in the same country who would want to/have the ability to break in, so if you are concerned this is a real threat, don't be. There will be many more people locally who could tell you are away from home if they so wished.

Thousands of people advertise their empty house on social media every day with no detrimental experiences.

As for if it did happen; i think you'd have a hard time proving that any break-in was related to a booking.com data breach, and you'd need proof to take any action.

la531983

More people get broken into because they plaster their whereabouts over social media than due to breaches like this....

MeandHer1989

Thank you. I never like telling people where we are and when we go. I'm always cautious

user1977

The average burglar only cares whether they're likely to be disturbed in the 5 mins it takes them to get in, grab something that will pay for their next fix, and go. It makes no difference to them whether you've gone out to work or gone away for a month-long cruise.

Although high value cases make the headlines, I expect the proportion of burglaries involving this sort of research is tiny.

jimjames

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81964337#Comment_81964337

Far more likely that someone will see house with no lights on or car on drive and try on that basis. For some people (like me) I might be away but others in the house will still be home so it wouldn't really give much benefit to a burglar anyway.