Nearly 13 percent of all vehicles stolen had the keys in them. The car thieves can outsmart you by knowing all the hiding places. So never hide a second set of keys in or on your vehicle.
Park in well-lit areas, near sidewalks or walkways. Avoid parking near dumpsters or large vans or trucks. These obstacles decrease your ability to see the space surrounding your vehicle clearly, where thieves or carjackers could be hiding.
Protect Your Data - Beware of Identity fraud. Don't leave important documents such as bank Statements, credit card bills/statements or other Personal information in your vehicle. Car thefts can use this vital information against you and steal your bank money by accessing your bank or credit card accounts.
Never leave the registration or title in your car. If stolen, this makes it easier for the thief to dispose of your vehicle. Keep it with your driver's license or on your person.
Park in well lit areas with plenty of pedestrian traffic, or when possible, in attendant lots. If you have to leave your key with an attendant, leave only the ignition and door key.
Never leave your vehicle running unattended. Vehicles are commonly stolen at ATMs, convenience stores, and gas stations etc. Many vehicles are also stolen on cold mornings when the owner leaves the vehicle running to warm it up.
Always use your emergency brake when parked. In addition to ensuring safety, using the emergency brake makes your car harder to tow. Also, turn the wheels toward the curb. This makes towing your vehicle more difficult. Thieves use tow trucks to steal vehicles.
If your vehicle is rear-wheel drive, back into your driveway. Conversely, if your vehicle is front-wheel drive, pull forward into your driveway. Always use your emergency brake. This makes towing difficult.
Park in your garage. If you have a car porch / garage in your house, always park your car at those places and never park them outside of your house. Lock the gates or the garage as well as your car windows.
In high theft
areas the
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) should
be etched on windows, doors, fenders and trunk lid. This
makes it difficult for a thief to market your stolen car
parts.
Remove the electronic ignition fuse, coil wire, rotor, distributor, or otherwise disable your vehicle if you are leaving it unattended for an extended period.
Replace "T" shaped Door Locks With Straight Locks. Some vehicle doors have lock assemblies at window level that flare out in a knob or "T' shape. A thief can use various tools to gain access inside the vehicle, grab and pull the lock. Straight locks prevent this.
The One is not enough. There are many cars anti theft devices that are mushrooming in the auto market like nobody's business. Although I will not say that these car anti theft devices may 100% prevent car thefts altogether, but at least it will prolong their time to steal your car and bring them one heck of a tough time to hack into your vehicle. So if you happen to park your car in high theft areas, never rely on just one device alone. Use as many as you can.
