Burglars use Google Maps to target homes

CHICAGO (KGO) -- Burglars are now using Google Maps to search for victims.

Police in the Chicago area recently arrested two suspects in a string of burglaries involving Google Maps.

Investigators believed they used the Google service to find expensive homes along highways. The burglars then allegedly use Google Earth to see the homes in 360-degree detail.

Data experts say there is a way to make your information private.

Jason Shah with Mediafly suggests using Google's "Report a problem" link at the bottom of Google Maps and Google Street View in order to contact Google.

"Over time, your image and your property will disappear from Google Maps," Shah said.

Experts in many cases say Google Maps will blur your property rather than remove it entirely.

For more on this story, visit ABC7's sister station WLS-TV Chicago

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