Whether you live in an apartment or a house, more people encounter your address than you might expect—from rideshare and delivery platforms to banks, clinics, utilities, and service contractors. Many of these organizations use screening and privacy safeguards, but exposure still occurs through everyday transactions and online sharing. That’s why it’s important to take practical, research‑backed steps to manage who knows your location and to strengthen home security.
Your home should be a safe space, but staying safe also means understanding your risks and the protections available. Two national measures offer perspective on burglary risk in the U.S.: offenses known to police reported by the FBI and household victimization rates reported by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). These measure different things and should not be equated—FBI figures track reported crimes while BJS surveys capture incidents whether or not police were notified. As of the most recent releases, burglary remains far below historical highs; police‑reported burglary rose modestly in 2023, while household burglary victimization in 2024 stayed near historic lows relative to the 1990s–2010 peak era (FBI Crime in the Nation, 2023; BJS Criminal Victimization, 2024).
Police clear a relatively small share of burglaries compared with violent crimes—national burglary clearance rates remain roughly in the low‑to‑mid teens—and the average dollar loss per burglary typically falls in the low‑thousands of dollars, underscoring why prevention and evidence capture (e.g., cameras) matter (FBI; Insurance Information Institute). City dashboards show mixed 2025 patterns across large U.S. cities, with many reporting flat‑to‑down burglary through mid‑year, so local trends can vary (Council on Criminal Justice).
In 2019, there were 36.48 million people living alone in their homes in the U.S. Individuals who live alone—and households of any size—benefit from applying layered, modern home security practices alongside smart sharing habits.
10 ‘Common’ People Who Know Where You Live
Not everyone who has your home address is a threat, but mapping who routinely learns your location helps you tailor safeguards. Consider the list below and where better vetting, privacy settings, or proof‑of‑identity checks can reduce risk.
To help, we’ve created list of people who know where you live that you may not have considered:
Uber or Lyft drivers
Rideshare drivers frequently pick up or drop off at residences. Both Uber and Lyft state that drivers undergo background screening before activation, motor‑vehicle record checks for driving roles, identity verification (e.g., real‑time selfie checks), annual re‑screens, and continuous criminal monitoring to surface certain new offenses after onboarding (Uber; Lyft). In New York City, drivers must also obtain a TLC license that includes fingerprint‑based checks—stricter than the name‑based screens used in most states (NYC TLC). As a practical tip, when taking a rideshare to the airport, be mindful that your trip can signal you’re traveling and not at home (traveling). The Uber and Lyft vetting processes have faced criticism historically, so continue to use in‑app safety features and share trips with trusted contacts.
Mail carriers and other delivery persons
There are a lot of things your mail carriers knows about you. Regular routes reveal household routines. Major delivery apps also screen workers: DoorDash runs criminal background checks (via Checkr) and adds a motor‑vehicle screen if delivering by car; it may run additional checks later (DoorDash). Instacart conducts background checks for U.S. shoppers, including driving‑record checks when applicable (Instacart). Amazon Flex uses Accurate Background and notes routine ongoing checks (Amazon Flex). If recurring drivers learn your patterns, use delivery instructions that limit visibility (e.g., lockers, secure parcel boxes) and avoid revealing interior layouts at the door.
Doctor’s office
Healthcare providers require your address for records and billing. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protect sensitive information about patients, but multiple staff members can access it for legitimate care and operations. Ask about their privacy practices, and keep contact details current to avoid mailings to outdated addresses.
Banks and credit card companies
Opening accounts requires proof of address, and financial institutions maintain these records under privacy and security controls. Various financial privacy laws limit access and dictate disclosures, but addresses are still processed by customer‑service and fraud teams as part of routine operations. Enable account alerts and opt out of paper where possible.
Food delivery
Online food delivery includes two segments: meal delivery (restaurant orders) and grocery delivery. As of 2025, worldwide meal delivery alone is about US$0.5 trillion, and adding grocery delivery pushes the broader category above US$1 trillion globally (Statista Grocery Delivery). Definitions matter: many older “$200B by 2025” projections referred only to meals; today’s combined market is far larger. Repeated orders can make your address familiar to couriers, so prefer secure handoff locations and verify app privacy settings. Platforms’ screening varies by mode (car vs. bike/foot), but criminal checks are standard across major apps (see DoorDash, Instacart, and Amazon Flex policies above).
Cable or internet installers
In today’s world, people rely on having cable and internet services in their homes. In most cases, this means a cable or internet installer will need to enter your home to set up service. Confirm appointment windows with the provider, check technician ID, and limit access to areas necessary for the job. Avoid sharing alarm disarm codes; use temporary guest codes when possible, and lock interior doors to non‑work areas.
Dog walkers and house sitters
Trust matters, but access also reveals routines and layout details. Provide only the information needed and prefer systems that support temporary codes, activity logs, and role‑based access. It’s especially important to be mindful of the information you may give them about arming and disarming your home security system.
Neighbors
Neighbors inevitably learn your patterns. Organized programs can help: evidence suggests well‑implemented Neighborhood Watch efforts can yield small, positive impacts on property crime, though U.S. evaluations show mixed results when programs are inactive or lack structure (College of Policing; DOJ CrimeSolutions). On neighborhood apps, minimize precise address exposure—for example, hide your street number in settings (Nextdoor Help).
Maintenance
Regardless of where you live, be it in a house or an apartment complex, the need for maintenance services is inevitable. Maintenance workers may have, or need, access to the inside of your home. Schedule through your property manager when possible, require company photo ID, and confirm work orders before opening the door. Another potential threat people need to be mindful of is the threat of people posing as maintenance workers with the sole intention of making their way into your home.
Security Measures You Can Implement to Stay Safe in Your Home
Recent national data show burglary remains far below past peaks, with a modest increase in 2023 per the FBI; the agency’s Crime Data Explorer provides the definitive 2024 burglary totals, rates per 100,000, and clearance percentages. Meanwhile, BJS reports that household burglary victimization in 2024 stayed near historic lows relative to earlier decades. National burglary clearance rates remain roughly in the low‑to‑mid teens, and typical losses per incident are in the low‑thousands of dollars—practical reasons to invest in deterrence and documentation (FBI; BJS; III). City‑sample dashboards suggest mixed, often flat‑to‑down burglary trends through mid‑2025, highlighting the value of local awareness (CCJ). Remain vigilant and review your home security setup regularly.
Take preventative measures
Focus on layered prevention. Burglary, as defined by the FBI, is unlawful entry to a structure to commit a felony or theft—this includes forcible entry, unlawful entry without force, and attempted forcible entry—and is distinct from robbery, which involves force against a person. Combine environmental design, access control, monitoring, and smart sharing habits to reduce opportunities and increase the chance of detection (FBI).
Stay in tune with your surroundings
- Get to know your neighbors: Active, well‑structured collaboration can deter property crime. Evidence syntheses find small but positive effects when programs have training, clear observe‑and‑report rules (no confrontation), and police partnership; results are mixed when programs are inactive or lack structure (College of Policing; DOJ CrimeSolutions). Build inclusive groups, share behavior‑based observations, and track actions (e.g., improved lighting, target hardening) rather than relying on alerts alone.
- Observe your surroundings: Limit screen distraction outdoors, vary your routes, and note unusual activity. Walk your block periodically and coordinate with neighbors. Or join or create a neighborhood watch group and adopt clear non‑confrontational protocols and privacy safeguards.
Create a safe home
- Install outdoor and indoor security cameras: Modern cameras use on‑device AI for person/vehicle/package detection, reducing false alerts and improving privacy. Favor systems with end‑to‑end encryption, role‑based access, and hybrid local+cloud storage to keep critical evidence during outages. Look for products aligning with emerging security labels (the FCC’s voluntary U.S. Cyber Trust Mark) and privacy‑by‑design features highlighted by independent testers (Consumer Reports).
- Get an alarm system and install sensors: Pair door/window sensors with motion and glass‑break detection and consider dual‑path communication (broadband + LTE) and battery backup. Monitoring centers increasingly use video verification and standardized alarm scoring (ANSI/TMA‑AVS‑01) to prioritize in‑progress events. For smart‑home integration and longevity, check ecosystem support (e.g., Matter 1.3 enhancements for device interoperability) and reliable vendor update policies (CSA: Matter 1.3; market adoption trends via IDC).
Utilize important safety strategies
There are many important safety strategies you can implement to keep you and your home safe. Let’s take a look at a few tips:
- Always lock your doors and windows. Reinforce entry points and use quality deadbolts and window locks. By definition, burglary includes forcible entry, unlawful entry without force, and attempted forcible entry, so good hardware plus visible deterrents (cameras, lighting) help reduce opportunity. Because burglary clearance rates are only in the low‑to‑mid teens nationally, hardening your home and capturing evidence are critical (FBI).
- Keep your friends and family on speed dial. Share itineraries and locations selectively with trusted contacts, and configure emergency features on your phone before higher‑risk trips. Newer phones support Emergency SOS and, on some models, satellite SOS when cellular service is unavailable (Google Maps; WhatsApp; Apple: Emergency SOS via satellite).
- Switch up your routine. Many crimes involve some level of familiarity with victims’ patterns. Vary departure times and routes, use smart lighting when away, and avoid predictable package deliveries by using pickup lockers when feasible.
- Protect your privacy on social media. Limit audience to people you trust, delay posting travel content until you’re back, and turn off precise location for social apps at the phone OS level. Use each platform’s privacy checkups and restrict tagging/resharing (NCSC; Consumer Reports; Apple: location controls; Android: location settings).
- Learn self-defense. Prioritize the hierarchy: avoid → de‑escalate → escape → report → treat injuries. Consider training that emphasizes awareness, boundary‑setting, and safe breakaways. Know your local laws and venue rules; plan ahead if traveling with any safety tools. (See BJS for context on self‑protective actions and reporting norms: BJS Criminal Victimization, 2023.)
- Carry safety devices. Choose low‑risk options first (personal alarm, flashlight meeting ANSI/PLATO FL 1 for reliability). If you opt for pepper spray, prefer gel/stream formulations with flip‑top safety and know local restrictions; TSA limits what you can bring when flying (TSA). Consider a compact bleeding‑control kit and training such as Stop the Bleed. Always verify legality and practice safe, lawful use.
The Bottom Line
Many everyday services—and your own online sharing—can reveal your address and routines. National data show burglary remains far below past highs, with modest recent fluctuations; police‑reported crime (FBI) and victimization risk (BJS) tell complementary but different stories, so cite the year and source when discussing “trends.” Use modern, privacy‑aware security tech, strengthen entry points, practice smart social media habits, and coordinate with neighbors through structured, non‑confrontational programs. These steps—paired with evidence capture and emergency‑ready planning—help keep your home a safe haven.
