Did you know that three cars are stolen every minute in the US? Every 24 seconds, a car finds a “new owner” – and just the other morning, one of our customers called because his car had been stolen from his driveway overnight.
Police are generally able to recover about half of stolen vehicles. But if the car owner left a credit card or other paperwork showing personal identification in the car, a stolen vehicle is often only where the problem starts!
We’ve heard from clients and the Everett Police Department that the “bad guys” have some new tricks up their sleeves. They’re no longer just going for the car! Crooks are breaking car windows to steal garage door openers and vehicle registrations.
Why?
With these two items, they can drive directly to your home, open your garage door with the remote, pull inside where they won’t be seen, and then smash the interior garage door gaining access to all of your belongings inside your home. If you are in the habit (like many of us) of leaving the door from your garage to your house unlocked, you’ll make their job even easier!
That’s why we recommend: Don’t carry your registration (or any other documents that may show your address, such as mail, or your insurance card) in the glove compartment. This is where thieves look first!
Our secret tip: Seal these essential items in a zip-lock bag and place it under your floor mat. You’ll know where to find it when you need it but thieves won’t take the time to search your car. Even better – don’t leave sensitive information in your car at all.
As summer approaches and outings become more frequent, please keep these tips in mind as you park your car at festivals, near trail heads, or in remote areas:
- Always lock car doors and trunk, and shut all windows.
- Keep valuables out of plain sight. Better yet, never leave valuables (particularly wallets, purses, cell phones, etc.) in your parked car!
- If you have an electric garage door opener, hide it in an inconspicuous spot.
- Never leave your car key in the ignition, even if it’s for the shortest of errands such as getting cash at an ATM.
- Consider having your car’s VIN etched on the major parts. This will make it harder for the thief to re-sell the vehicle parts.
- Install a car alarm and use it. If an alarm is beyond your budget, purchase and use a steering wheel locking device.
- Don’t “hide” a spare key on the underside of your car, or in a box in the wheel arches.
- Consider installing a starter disable switch and putting it in a place where only you can get to it.