We are all aware of the scams that are going around today. Internet scams, home improvement scams, mortgage scams and every kind one can think of. Think about how easily people have had their identify stolen in today's environment. These are well know scams but it is the unknown quiet ones that everyone needs to be aware of. These are hard times out there.

Something as simple as having a garage sale can set you up for a robbery. You don't know these people and someone can be scanning your property. To protect yourself, make sure to keep your garage door closed when having a garage sale. What is in your garage might be something someone is looking for. In fact, your garage door should always be closed.

As another safety precaution, if you are having a garage sale, make sure to bring everything outside. Do not let strangers come into your home to see something that is for sale.

Who knows everything about what you have inside your home? It is the garbage collection people. Every time we buy something, especially big items like tv's and computers, we put the boxes out at the curbside. That is how they know. Do not put the boxes out prior to the collection day or else everyone will know, even those you do not want to know what you bought.

We should all know by now to stop the newspaper delivery and the mail delivery when we are away from home. Many people no longer announce a death in the family in the obituaries any more. Why? So that no one knows that the house is empty. But do you know that what you say on the internet can have the same result? Are you a member of facebook, myspace or any other social networking site? These are wonderful sites to keep in touch with those we know. But you should never announce your plans for vacation on these sites as you do not know every single person who is looking at them. Don't have people follow you around by tweeting about it. You can be setting your home up for a robbery. Tell everyone about your vacation after you have returned. This is the same precaution that is taken with voice mail. Would you leave a voice mail saying that you are out of town?

While the old rules of safety are still in place, new technology has brought about new rules. It is always better to be safe than sorry.