I know several people who’ve had their car stolen – do you? It happens about every 30 seconds in the US. Some folks were not unhappy – looking forward to a new ride.
Recently a client’s new model car was taken from his driveway in an upscale neighborhood using a “replacement” electronic key. Along with the car went a nice jacket, personal checkbook, spare house keys, and other valuables left inside. He quickly became painfully aware of the hassle and issues starting with a 6:00 AM phone call from the store where someone was wanting to cash his checks, then the police and, indirectly, the thief.
Where does it hurt? ~
The National Insurance Crime Bureau and LoJack report losses and costs include –
- Important mail and bank statements left in full view
- Laptops, spare house keys, checkbooks and other valuables
- House break-ins or at least the costs to re-key your house or apartment
- Clothes and personal items
- Cost to repair your car – or, at minimum, your insurance deductible
- Possible identity theft from personal documents
- Hassle and time to resolve problems with police, pick up the damaged car and arrange for repairs with the insurance company, or purchase a new vehicle
What are the lessons for all of us? ~
- Don’t leave anything of any value in your car – ever! They attract thieves and create lots of headaches to cancel, replace, etc.
- Don’t ever leave the car running – 33% of thefts happened this way!
- The exposed VIN number is all it takes to (illegally) make an electronic key at a dealer, locksmith or online. You can cover the VIN number – on the driver’s side dash near your windshield – with any small card.
- Have a built-in GPS? Don’t program your address in “Home.” If your car is stolen at the airport what happens next? The thief pushes ‘Home,” drives to your house, then opens your garage with the button in the visor and has the run of your castle! You don’t need your exact address to find your way; program your local police station instead!
- Remove or make a copy without your home address of any other documents you leave in your car, like Insurance ID and Registration cards, dealer or garage receipts, guaranties, etc.
- If you have a company car, make sure you have a copy of the vehicle registration in your home – otherwise, you may not remember the License Plate, VIN and other numbers for immediate police reports.
Have any other Lessons or stories? Please share in comments below.
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What great advice Charles, and a good reminder! Here’s another thought: if you transport your laptop and a portable external backup drive, separate the drive from the laptop. That way, if your laptop is stolen, you’ve got the entire computer on the backup drive. Small consolation, but at least you’ll have all your data and software.
Excellent points on auto security and preparation. Here in the East (the land of toll roads), many toll facilities are linked to a system known as “E-Z Pass”. Simply, it is a transponder attached to the windshield of your car. As you approach a toll booth, your transponder is scanned and the toll is charged (deducted) from your account (usually a credit/debit card). Beyond the actual transponder, having this taken will provide access to vital personal “I. D.” i.e., credit card info, address info, driving patterns etc. Would suggest removing the “E-Z Pass” transponder from the windshield, every time you leave your car in a parking garage/valet situation. Also, never leave spare keys with a valet parking lot attendant.
Great tips. I didn’t realize that they could get key copies that easily. I also never thought about the address on the important papers. Thanks Charles.