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As you may have noticed, I have backed off from throwing stones and calling you names such as “NIMBY”, as so many of you have now seen the light and rolled over to social networking. From the calls and letters that I have received, it also appears that so many of you have been extremely successful in cultivating new business relations, while also “solidifying and owning the relationship” with existing clients. Congratulations, as I am ecstatic that this process is assisting you and your business in your “race to the top”. For those of you who still have not fallen off the wagon and who continue to refuse to subscribe to this technique of attracting new business (and maintaining what you have), well NIMBY, (just had to say it one more time!), my offer to help still stands so give me a call (or Facebook me… oh wait, you can’t) and let’s talk.

However, with all of that said, some of you have taken this social networking “thing-ee” a little too far and have now provided every unscrupulous person in the nation with everything that they need to become “you”. For instance, how many times have you Tweeted, or posted on Facebook, LinkedIn, or any other social networking site where you are, where you’re going, and for how long you will be there for? Nice work, why not just hand them the keys to your home and tell them to lock up when they leave. Or you can even ask them to make you co-owner of that 60” TV they just purchased with their new credit card under your name.

Typically, this is something that we see constantly from our kids; however I can tell you that in a matter of minutes I can find out more information about so many adults that I know, such as when they are leaving for vacation, and where they are going. For example, I read recently on a Facebook page of an insurance agent that I know extremely well all about their upcoming family vacation. I know when their flight leaves, what sites they are planning to visit while they are away, what hotel they are staying at, and when they are returning. If I were a risk manager, I would be getting chills knowing that this scenario is not going to turn out well when they return (if their car is still at the airport since they said that they were leaving from the Continental terminal at Newark so the bad guys now know this as well) as they have just sent out a bulletin inviting everyone to move into their home, raid the fridge, put their feet up on the coffee table, and help themselves to anything they wish as though they were brought to life like Ben Stiller and the characters he played alongside of in the Museum of Natural History.

What I do suggest (immediately after you review your own Facebook page) is that you begin to advise your clients (and family members) on internet and social networking safety, so that they limit the risk and exposure that they are opening themselves and their property up to by posting everything about themselves online.

Furthermore, insurance carriers are now scanning Facebook and Twitter pages and postings of existing and potential clients, evaluating the risk by the pictures and postings that they view of their clients online. Remember that picture that was sent around the office of “that guy you know” who was dancing on the table with a lampshade on his head at the office party last year? Well the same holds true with what he posts online, only this time it’s not limited to just his boss (or wife!). Don’t tell your life insurance company that you are a shy, social misfit, who doesn’t smoke and only has a drink socially on special occasions, and then go and post a picture of yourself on Facebook smoking a Cuban and holding a bottle of Petron, while jumping out of an airplane dressed like Lady Gaga.

Bad guys also have special software that allows them to scan social networking sites, searching for key words such as “vacation”, “can’t wait to get away”, “be back”, or even “I’m having dinner at…. Think about it, all a burglar needs is a few moments in your home and they can wreak havoc upon yours and the lives of your loved ones.

Other advice that you should offer your clients regarding what they should not place in plain view is their date of birth and also the city that they were born. Think of every “secret question” that you answer on a credit card application. “What city were you born?” they ask, or “What’s your mother’s maiden name?” Home address is another “great idea” of something to put up online if you want to get “hit”. Your children’s names is also something that you want to make certain that you don’t have in plain sight, and while speaking of children, take a look at their page and see what they have up. Chances are they are talking about future places that they are going to, who they will be with, and when they plan on returning. Vacations are exciting for all, and kids love to share their experiences with their friends. In this day and age of “real time” and smart phone apps, kids on vacation with their parents put up photos of themselves on the Harry Potter ride at Universal Studio before they even get off the ride itself. I know, I’ve seen it firsthand. All are recipes for disaster, and are a burglar’s dream.

Well, fall brings us beautiful colors here in the northeast, along with cooler temps, pumpkin picking, and of course insurance conferences! Recently at the PIA of NY inaugural dinner, Donna Chiapperino of Jimcor Associates was elected President. Her cabinet is rounded out with Richard Savino as President-elect; First Vice President Michael Skeele; and Vice  Presidents Alan Plafker and Gene Sandy. John Parsons was elected Treasurer, and Tony Kubera is now secretary.

In the PIA “farm team” also known as The Young Insurance Professionals, Michael Plafker of Member Brokerage is now President; Gino Orrino is Presidentelect; Jennifer Berger was elected as Vice President; Treasurer will now be George Hackney; and Adam Erickson is Secretary. I personally know all of these wonderful people on both boards very well and for many years, and I know that they will serve their organization incredibly well as they are all dedicated and extremely committed individuals who are always searching for ways to make this thing of ours the best it can possibly be. Congratulations to you all, and if you would like to see a video of the PIA president’s inaugural address check out my “Loguercio At Large” piece on YouTube at http://youtu.be/hPyZPtSx2co

Well, thanks for spending a few minutes with me, and if you have any topics that you would like to talk about in this column please let me know.