Sofia Coppola's latest film, "The Bling Ring," had been one of the hottest, most-talked-about debuts at Cannes.
And while it is being met with mixed reviews since its release in theaters nationwide a couple weeks ago, the reality of the film’s (based on true events) subject - jewelry theft - is something we at Jewelers Mutual feel should be considered.
What’s the significance of "The Bling Ring"?
In 2008, a group of fame-obsessed teenagers stole millions of dollars in luxury items from celebrities’ homes, including Paris Hilton, Rachel Bilson, Orlando Bloom, Lindsay Lohan and much of it was jewelry.
Were the jewels insured? Sadly, many were not and though some were returned, the loss of others was felt financially and emotionally.
Surprising theft facts:
- This year alone, a home burglary (nearly 70% of all robberies) will take place every 14 seconds.
- Next to cash, jewelry is the most commonly stolen item and most of the jewelry is never recovered.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, more thefts happen in summer than any other time of year, so while you're planning weekend getaways and summer vacations, it's important to know how to protect your treasured possessions.
Tips to help prevent being a target:
- Avoid the appearance of an empty house with timers, well-groomed landscaping, and no mail or newspaper accumulation.
- Do not hide spare house keys outside your home, or publicize your absence on the answering machine or social media.
- Consider a home security and monitoring system and/or have a neighbor keep an eye out. (If you have a keypad entry or alarm system, be sure to keep it clean so dirty fingerprints don't reveal your code!)
- Keep jewelry in a home safe in an inconspicuous location - not a jewelry box or bedroom dresser drawer.
Have you ever been the victim of theft?
