Although a professional car thief can defeat most security measures and
quickly break into and steal a locked vehicle, most vehicle thefts and
break-ins are carried out by amateurs who take advantage of the
carelessness of drivers in leaving vehicles unlocked, valuables in sight, etc.

Security conscious drivers lose less than those who are careless.  
According to the FBI, most cars are stolen because they are easy to
steal.  Eighty percent of all cars stolen last year were unlocked at the
time.  And 40 percent actually had the keys in the ignition.

The tips in this section deal with preventing vehicle theft or break-ins,
helping to recover a stolen vehicle or property from a vehicle, preventing
vandalism, and buying a used vehicle.  You can significantly enhance the
security of your vehicles by following them.
Preventing Theft or Break-ins

The following tips help prevent vehicle break-ins, which could lead to theft
of the vehicle itself or of property items from the vehicle.

Park in open, well-lighted, and populated areas near your
destination.  Avoid parking near trucks, vans, dumpsters, and other
objects that obstruct visibility and provide hiding places.  Avoid
parking near strangers loitering or sitting in vehicles.
Park in lots or garages where you don’t have to leave your keys.
Park in your garage, if you have one.  Don’t leave your vehicle on the
street, in an alley, or on your driveway.  If you have to park on a
street, avoid dark or isolated areas.
Turn off your engine, roll up all windows, lock all doors, and take your
keys with you even if you are making a quick stop at a store or gas
station, or even in your driveway.  Close all windows and lock the
trunk and hood.
Don’t leave spare keys in your vehicle.  An experienced thief knows
all the hiding places.  Store spare keys in your wallet.
Don’t leave your vehicle in an unattended public lot for an extended
period time.
Buy a vehicle with interior hood and truck lock releases.  Install a
secondary hood lock if your car does not have one.
Replace knob-type door lock buttons with tapered ones.
Install an alarm system that will sound when someone attempts to
break in, move, tilt, or start your vehicle.  Always activate the
system when leaving the vehicle.
Check your vehicle if you hear the alarm sound.  But don’t try to
stop a person attempting to break in.  Get a good description of the
person and call the police.

To prevent theft of the vehicle itself:

Turn your wheels sharply toward the curb when parking on a street.
Use anti-theft devices that can be attached to the steering wheel or
column, or brake pedal.  Use one every time you leave your vehicle
unattended.  Steering wheel locks are inexpensive and are
recommended by some experts to be the most cost-effective theft
deterrent on the market today.
Install fuel or power cut-off switches.
Buy a vehicle with a locking ignition or steering column.
Chain motorcycles and bicycles to stationary objects when
unattended.
Consider having your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) etched on
all the windows.

To prevent the theft of property from a vehicle:

Never leave any contents or valuables in plain sight.  Remove
cellular phones, audio systems, computers, packages, sport
equipment, cameras, purses, etc.  Lock them in the trunk before
you park or take them with you.  And if you can’t replace an item,
don’t leave it anywhere in your vehicle.
Install locking devices on batteries, wheels, audio equipment, etc.
Make several slices through your license plate registration sticker
after it has been placed on the plate.  If the plate or sticker is
stolen, call the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) immediately to
report the loss and get replacements.


Recovering a Stolen Vehicle or Property Taken from a Vehicle

Call the police immediately and provide a complete description of the
vehicle and any property taken from it, including a license plate.
Vehicles should be described by:  year, make, model, color(s), VIN,
insurance company and policy number, license plate number and
state, and name of any GPS tracking and/or locator system installed
in the vehicle.  Property should be described by type, make, model,
serial number, and fair market value.
Etch your driver’s license number on all removable valuable
items,      e.g., audio equipment.  Also etch the number on various
places on the vehicle itself.
Don’t leave your driver’s license in the vehicle.
Keep a record of the VIN, license plate number, and insurance
information in your wallet or purse.  Also be able to provide the
information listed above for any property that might be stolen from
the vehicle.
Don’t leave your vehicle title (pink slip) in the vehicle.
Install a vehicle GPS tracking and/or location system that can be
activated after the vehicle is reported as stolen.


Preventing Vandalism

Park in open, well-lighted, and populated areas near your
destination.  Avoid parking near trucks, vans, dumpsters, and other
objects that obstruct visibility and provide hiding places.  Avoid
parking near strangers loitering or sitting in vehicles.
Park in your garage, if you have one.  Don’t leave your vehicle on the
street, in an alley, or on your driveway.  If you have to park on a
street, avoid dark or isolated areas.
Don’t leave your vehicle in an unattended public lot for an extended
period time.
Buy a vehicle with interior hood and truck lock releases.  Install a
secondary hood lock if your car does not have one.  Also install a
locking gas tank cap.


Buying a Used Vehicle

Be suspicious of a ridiculously low price or a fresh paint job on a late
model vehicle.
Make sure the seller is the owner named on the vehicle title.  Don’t
be afraid to ask to see some photo identification.
Verify past insurance and financing, and current registration and
license plate sticker.
Make sure the VIN has not been tampered with and matches the
number on the vehicle title.
Obtain both sets of the original keys.
Make sure registration fees paid to dealer are sent to DMV
promptly.