Criminals Use Zillow to Plan Break-Ins, Experts Warn

Homeowners urged to remove property listings and photos to protect against burglaries

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Criminals are increasingly using real estate listing sites like Zillow and Redfin to gather detailed information about homes, including floor plans, entry points, and security camera locations, to plan break-ins. Experts advise homeowners who are not actively selling their property to remove all listing photos and details to prevent their homes from being targeted.

Why it matters

This issue highlights the risks of having personal home information publicly available online, as criminals can easily access this data to case potential targets. It raises concerns about privacy, home security, and the need for homeowners to be proactive in protecting their properties.

The details

Authorities in several cities, including Scottsdale, Arizona, Delray Beach, Florida, and Riverside, California, have confirmed that burglars often use real estate listings and online tools like Google Street View to gather intelligence about homes before breaking in. Criminals can match listing photos to video footage and identify entry points, layout, and security camera locations, giving them a significant advantage.

  • In February 2026, the issue gained national attention following the suspected kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, whose home address and personal information were quickly found online.
  • Riverside, California police have reported finding Zillow and Redfin searches on the phones of arrested burglary suspects.

The players

Zillow

An online real estate database company that covers over 160 million homes, with listing photos that often remain online long after a home is sold.

Redfin

An online real estate brokerage that allows homeowners to manage their property listings, including hiding or removing photos.

Google Street View

A feature of Google Maps that provides panoramic views of streets worldwide, which criminals can use to scope out homes and plan escape routes.

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What’s next

Homeowners are advised to remove all listing photos and details from real estate sites like Zillow and Redfin, even if they are not actively selling their home. They should also search for their personal information on people search sites and opt out of having their data displayed.

The takeaway

This issue highlights the importance of homeowners being proactive in protecting their privacy and home security in the digital age, as criminals are increasingly leveraging online tools and resources to plan break-ins. By removing their home's online presence, homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a target for burglars.