Are Minnesotans Blurring Their Houses on Google Maps?

Have you ever seen one of those Google Maps Street View cars with the wonky camera on top and thought: GIT OFF MAH LAWN, HOSS! Weird that they were on your lawn in the first place, but that's a tricky corner with a blind spot, maybe you should trim yer hedges a bit.

So anyway, a new trend out of California that actually doesn't completely suck: homeowners are having their houses blurred...for security reasons?

Homeowners Are Contacting Google To Have Their Houses Blurred

GO ON & GIT! (Getty Images)

There's apparently a new tactic being used by crooks and thieves: casing properties by taking a digital cruise on Google Maps Street View.

Sometimes they can figure out security measures (like security cameras) and even the value of visible possessions this way. Oh joy.

But...Because There's Always a 'But'...

Sometimes the jerkfaces will see a blurred house and take it as a sign that there's valuable goods to be illegally procured from your residence. According to the Department of Justice, less than 1% of households get burgled.

How You Can Blur Your House On Street View

Take a digital trip home via Google Maps in Street View mode to your address on a desktop or laptop. On the top-left corner of the screen is a drop-down menu. Click the three dots, then 'Report a Problem'.

(image via Google Maps)

A questionnaire comes up for you to answer. Fill it out, and you should be golden. Google Maps might follow up for additional information, but your house should be behind the blurred curtain shortly.

H/T: MSN