Auto Theft Prevention Tip Sheet

While there is no foolproof way to safeguard a vehicle against theft, there are many “no cost” deterrents owners can use to protect themselves and their automobiles. For example, a thief’s greatest enemy is time. The more difficult your vehicle is to steal, the longer it takes to be stolen. The longer it takes, the more likely it is that the thief will move on to an easier target.

Don’t become complacent because you drive an older-model vehicle. Older vehicles can be resold quickly or stripped for parts. A vehicle’s parts are worth two or three times the value of the vehicle.

Here are some tips to help protect you and your vehicle:

  • Close all windows, lock all doors and take the keys with you. In Florida, almost 25 percent of stolen vehicles had the keys in them.
  • Never hide a second set of keys anywhere on your vehicle. Thieves know all the hiding places.
  • Never leave your vehicle running, even if you will only be gone for a minute; Vehicles are commonly stolen at convenience stores, gas stations and ATMs.
  • Park in well-lighted areas. Over 50 percent of vehicle thefts occur at night.
  • Use your garage; lock both the vehicle and the garage. Locking both doors greatly reduces the chance of theft.
  • Keep your garage door opener with you. The thief may attempt to get into your house.
  • Don’t leave your original registration or title in your car. File the title at home in a safe place and carry your registration in your purse or wallet. When sharing a vehicle, provide a copy of the registration to other drivers to carry in their purse or wallet. If a thief has these two documents, your car will be easier to sell.
  • Park in attended lots. Thieves don’t like witnesses.
  • Park your vehicle with wheels turned toward the curb, even when parking in driveways and parking lots. This makes your vehicle difficult to tow.
  • Don’t become complacent because you drive an older-model vehicle. Older cars can be resold quickly or stripped for parts. A vehicle’s parts are worth two to three times the value of the car.
  • Put all packages and personal items out of sight. Items left in the open make your vehicle a more desirable target.
  • Have your VIN number etched onto your windows. This makes it difficult for a thief to switch VIN numbers on a stolen vehicle. Click here for a list of DMVs that provide this service.

Don’t be an Accomplice in a Vehicle Theft

Make sure the used vehicle you buy is not stolen!

Many stolen vehicles are resold to unknowing and unsuspecting buyers. Buying a stolen vehicle can lead to trouble. Anyone who buys a stolen vehicle can lose the vehicle and the money he paid for it — even if the person is not aware that the vehicle is stolen! Anyone who knowingly buys a stolen vehicle is guilty of a crime.

Use these guidelines to avoid being a second victim of a car thief:

  • If a deal seems to be “too good to be true,” it probably is.
  • Deal only with a reputable, established licensed used car dealer.
  • If you buy a vehicle from an individual, make sure the name on the title and registration match the name and address of the person selling the vehicle.
  • Check out the name, address and place of employment of the seller. Be aware of someone selling a vehicle who is not willing to give you this information.
  • Check the vehicle identification number (VIN) to see if it has been tampered with. This number is located on a plate attached to the dash near the left side of the front windshield.
  • Make sure the VIN matches the number on the seller’s title.
  • Ask the seller for references about past financing and insurance on the vehicle. Verify the information.
  • Ask for the manufacturer’s keys, do not accept a replacement set.
  • Beware of new paint on a late model vehicle.
  • Complete all paperwork at the time of the sale.
  • Do not buy a used vehicle without being present when the title is notarized.

Tips Related to Anti-Theft Devices

Most anti-theft devices cost less than the deductible you would pay if your vehicle was stolen. Some insurance companies offer lower insurance rates to vehicles with anti-theft devices. With an anti-theft device, time is on your side. It could take an experienced car thief as little as 7 seconds, and one screwdriver, to break in, and less than a minute to start and drive away a previously locked vehicle.

  • Be sure your anti-theft devices are activated.
  • Owners who use a steering wheel lock like “The Club” are four times less likely to be a victim of auto theft.
  • BMW reports its anti-theft system has reduced theft by 80 percent (source: NICB).
  • Vehicles equipped with a LoJack anti-theft system have a 95 percent chance of being recovered (compared to the national recovery average of 61 percent).

Prevention Devices

The first line of defense against car theft is the owner and/or driver of the vehicle. Take the Auto Theft Questionnaire to determine the level of protection you need, and install all the appropriate protection you can afford.

An anti-theft device is a device that helps prevent vandalism to or theft of a motor vehicle and its contents. They can be locking devices, cut-off devices, alarms, sensors or tracking devices. Other methods of anti-theft protection include etching of the vehicle identification number (VIN). Many insurance companies give discounts for each method used.

Locking Devices

Steering Wheel Bar Lock — The most popular is The Club, a steel bar that clamps on the steering wheel and makes the vehicle impossible to steer. They are an effective deterrent because of their imposing presence on the steering wheel.

Hood Restraint — A device that prevents full access to the under the hood components. These can include a chain which allows a hood opening of approximately four inches, a mechanical or electrical device that physically locks the hood down, or a mechanical or electrical device that prevents the factory-supplied hood mechanism from operating.

Steering Column Collar — Protects entry to the ignition through the column.

Tire/Wheel Locks — Tool wraps around the tire or wheel to immobilize the vehicle.

Gearshift Lock — Locks gearshift in place, making it impossible to shift transmission into gear.

Cut-off Devices

Ignition Kill Switch — Toggle switch is spliced into the ignition that disables the vehicle when the switch is “off.”

Fuel Kill Switch — Switch is spliced into the fuel system wiring that halts fuel supply when “off.”

Alarms

Alarm — A motor vehicle’s horn, bell, siren or other sounding device that is easily audible at 300 feet.

Some alarms have an automatic shut-off and reset capability that provides for the alarm to sound for not more than four minutes, shut off and then immediately rearm itself. Other alarms have a backup battery which is an auxiliary power source that trips an alarm device if the main power source is disconnected or if the wires to the alarm device are cut or disconnected.

Alarm Systems

The purpose of an alarm system is to make enough noise that a thief will leave without the vehicle. These alarm systems take many forms:

Door Sensor — a mechanical switch that activates the alarm device if the door is opened without deactivating the alarm system.
Glass Sensor — an electronic device that activates the alarm if it detects the sound of breaking glass or metal in contact with glass.
Motion Sensor — a mechanical switch that activates the alarm device if the vehicle is jacked up or towed.
Trunk Sensor — a mechanical switch that activates the alarm device if the trunk is opened while the alarm system is armed.
Ultrasonic Sensor — an electronic device that activates the alarm device if an ultrasonic field is disturbed inside the motor vehicle.
Vibration Sensor — a mechanical or electrical device that activates the alarm device if any part of the motor vehicle is bumped, causing vibration.

Tracking Devices

These systems have a homing transmitter installed in the vehicle which allows the vehicle to be located after being reported stolen.

Stolen Vehicle Recovery System — an independently operated system, such as LOJACK, that automatically notifies a monitoring center if a motor vehicle equipped with the system is started by any means other than through use of an ignition key.

Window Identification System — a system under which the motor vehicle identification number (VIN) is permanently marked on at least two windows of the motor vehicle other than the small vent windows.

DataDots

DataDots are the world’s smallest state-of-the-art identification technology, the size of a grain of sand. Each kit contains hundreds of tiny microdots each encoded with a unique security code registered to a vehicle owner. Each Dot is applied using a specially made adhesive and can be placed on every part of a vehicle including interior and exterior panels, stereo, and engine. DataDots are then permanently attached; they cannot be located easily other than when using a black light as the glue has an ultra-violet trace. Warning labels are then placed on the outside of the vehicle, advising a would be thief that the car is protected with the Identification System making it “Too Hot to Handle.”

Don’t be an Accomplice in a Vehicle Theft

Tips Related to
Anti-Theft Devices

PREVENTION DEVICES:

Locking Devices
Cut-off Devices
Alarms
Alarm Systems
Tracking Devices
DataDots