How to Avoid Falling for Car Theft Scams?

If this appears on your windscreen, you need to immediately pull over. One of the most common crimes nowadays is automobile theft; although the number of stolen vehicles has decreased significantly since the turn of the century, thieves continue to devise novel methods of making off with people's cars. You will also learn which states are the most risky for automobile owners, which vehicles are the most likely to be stolen, and some unconventional measures you may take to safeguard your vehicle. Through online chat, you will also learn which states are the most risky for automobile owners, which vehicles are the most likely to be stolen, and some unconventional measures you may take to safeguard your vehicle.

Tips to Safeguard Your Vehicle From Car Thieves

In the United States, two automobiles are stolen per minute, according to FBI data

This amounts to about 3,000 vehicles every day. This results in the annual loss of automobiles for over a million people. Vehicles of all kinds, from trucks and buses to automobiles and motorcycles to scooters and even snowmobiles, are vulnerable to theft. According to the FBI's 2016 Uniform Crime Report, vehicle theft cost the US about $6 billion in 2016. Over 450 automobiles disappeared in Nevada, and 448 out of every 100,000 citizens reported their cars stolen.

Colorado, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii also have disturbingly high rates of auto theft

Within the state of Oregon. Honda Accords, Honda Civics, Ford Pickups, Chevrolet Pickups, Toyota Camrys, Nissan Altima, Dodge Rams, Toyota Corollas, Chevrolet Impalas, and Jeep Grand Cherokees are the most often stolen vehicles, as reported by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Auto burglaries, surprisingly, spike on particular days. During Halloween and Labor Day, thieves steal the most automobiles. The first day of the New Year.

Modern carjackers often utilize deceptive and ingenious methods to get their victims out of their cars

The following is an example of a common approach of late. As you exit a building like a mall, workplace, or airport, you often return to the parking lot to get your vehicle. You turn the key in the ignition and it unlocks. Just as you're ready to turn the key and go, you notice something peculiar on the windscreen. You may find some use for this unexpected windfall, but do you really believe that someone forgot to take the money off your windscreen? This is an elaborate hoax, so tread carefully.

As you step out of your automobile to examine this strange bank note, the thieves will pounce

They're going to get in your vehicle and speed off. Let's be honest, if you stepped out of your vehicle to inspect the windscreen, you wouldn't switch off the ignition and take your stuff with you. In less than a minute, you'll be left stranded in the parking lot after losing your vehicle, money, and identification.

Yet there is at least one extreme circumstance where things may go much worse

The young mother almost lost her kid to this nefarious scheme. Kyrie Viehman, a mother from Missouri, had just concluded her errands at the Graves Bluff Mall in Fenton when she returned to her vehicle, put her infant boy into the car seat, and drove off. After many minutes of driving, she saw a hundred dollar cash beneath her windscreen wiper. She stopped the vehicle and got out to grab the cash. There was a letter on the reverse of the bill, much to her dismay.

Do I have it straight that you really believed it?

Kyrie was suddenly jolted awake by the realization of what was going on. Little Johnny was in the backseat of her running automobile while the door was open. Intruders might have stolen both her car and her kid if they had gained access to it. The fact that she was already a safe distance away from the parking lot was the only thing that prevented a far worse outcome.

As this story demonstrates, not even the light of day is a guarantee of safety

How do you identify danger in such a setting? Before you unlock your vehicle and start the engine, you should take a quick stroll around it to make sure nothing is wrong. If the parking lot is almost empty and there is another vehicle parked next to yours with someone sitting inside, you should be quite afraid. Most automobile thieves wait in a vehicle parked very close to the target car. Be wary if there are vehicles obstructing the store's view of your automobile from all sides.

In this situation, no one will notice if you want assistance

Nevertheless, unfortunately, it isn't the only trick in vehicle thieves' sleeve. Further criminal tactics and precautions against auto theft are detailed below. A potential auto thief may accidentally bump into your vehicle in order to test whether or not it is equipped with an alarm. In many cases, even a motorcycle or a rumbling vehicle might trigger a car alarm. It's a surefire way to get people to ignore their car's alarm.

This causes them to be unaware while their automobile is being taken away

Use a vehicle alarm that sends a message to a pager so you know as soon as the system is triggered. Intentional automobile accidents are sometimes the work of criminals. To provide just one example, they t-boned another vehicle at the intersection. As soon as the victims and witnesses emerge from their cars, the second thief jumps into the getaway vehicle of their choice and speeds off. Do not get out of your vehicle until you have turned off the engine and removed any valuables, especially if you see an accident.

Use a switch to deactivate the starter and conceal it instead of locking the steering wheel

A lot of individuals unwittingly make it simpler for auto thieves by keeping an extra key inside the car or in a magnetic box fastened to the bottom of the vehicle. Do you really believe a seasoned thief wouldn't be familiar with all of these hiding spots? According to one auto thief's confession, this is how 90 percent of his vehicle thefts had to unfold.

Typically, he'd choose a vehicle, locate the keys, and then leave

One last legal consideration is of paramount importance. It's a serious crime for someone to break into your vehicle or steal it from you by force. Nonetheless, joyriding is considered a misdemeanor if the same individual discovers the keys either inside or outside the vehicle. Because of this, the danger to the auto thief is reduced. How can you stay safe from this threat? To begin, do not keep a backup set of keys in your vehicle.

Don't trust a stranger with your extra vehicle keys

Keep them at home or have a trusted friend or family member keep watch. You shouldn't discount it so quickly. Valet keys are hidden in the vehicles of thousands of individuals who have no idea they exist. A valet will utilize these keys since they provide them access to the driver's side and ignition of the vehicle. It's not really important that these keys can't be used to access the trunk or glove compartment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, automobile theft remains a significant problem in the United States, with thousands of vehicles being stolen every day, resulting in a loss of over $6 billion annually. Certain states like New Mexico, Colorado, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii have higher rates of auto theft. People can take precautions to safeguard their vehicles, such as using a vehicle alarm that sends a message to a pager and avoiding keeping an extra key inside the car or a magnetic box attached to the vehicle's bottom. In any case, it's crucial to stay vigilant and aware of any suspicious behavior in the surrounding environment to avoid becoming a victim of automobile theft.