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Protect Your Vehicle: The Top Car Break-Ins and How to Avoid Them

Image by pxhere , CC0 Public Domain

A vehicle was stolen on average every 36 seconds during the COVID pandemic as stay-at-home orders left them unattended. In 2021, there were 268.2 reported cases of motor vehicle theft per 100,000 people.

Vehicle theft is a common type of property crime because it is so easy to perpetrate. Offenders take advantage of cars that are parked in sparsely populated areas where their crime can pass undetected. They target unsecured vehicles that potentially have valuable items stashed inside.

There are a variety of reasons that thieves break into cars. The most obvious reason is to steal the vehicle, but sometimes they are looking for money or valuables that they can sell for cash. They may also search for personal information such as personal identification, financial information, or credit cards.

Having your vehicle broken into or stolen is costly, disruptive, and even upsetting, and criminals use several creative methods for breaking into cars and stealing them. However, there are simple ways and effective tools that you can use to thwart their efforts.

Image Credit: Audrey / flickr

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Types of Car Break-ins

The types of car break-ins will vary from one vehicle to the next. Older vehicle models can be broken into by picking locks, but newer vehicles have more advanced technology. These are some of the most common ways that car thieves break into a vehicle.

Smashing windows gives the car thief the opportunity to "smash and grab," which means they quickly access the vehicle and grab the most accessible items, such as purses, bags, phones, and coins and make a quick getaway. This type of car break-in is costly and destructive because of the damage to the vehicle.

Picking locks takes more skill and tools for car thieves, and they can use them not only to steal items from the cars but the cars themselves. Using these tools, a burglar aligns the pins until they turn the lock and open the door.

Keyless entry hacking is becoming more common as newer cars come with key fobs or cell phone apps to unlock the vehicle. Commercially available software tools are available online, and with the right technology and access to a laptop, key fobs can be duplicated. This is known as a "relay theft" where the perpetrator gets their equipment within a few feet of the fob, clones the signal, and transmits it to the vehicle.

Bump keys are specially cut keys designed to open multiple types of locks. When a car thief inserts the bump key into a lock, they use a special tool to tap or "bump" the key, causing the pins inside the lock to jump briefly. The bump key turns and opens the lock before the pins settle back into place.

Slim Jims are long, thin, flat pieces of metal that are inserted in the space between the car window and weatherstripping around the door. With a quick pull, the lock will unlatch, and the thief will gain access to the vehicle. They are more effective on older car models that don't use electronic key systems.

Preventing Car Break-ins

A car break-in and theft is a financial burden that can leave you feeling violated knowing that a stranger has invaded your personal space. Fortunately, there are several simple and effective tools to protect yourself and your property.

Parking in safe and well-lit areas is one of the most proactive measures car owners can take to prevent car break-ins. Criminals tend to avoid such environments because they increase their chances of getting caught. Good lighting enhances visibility and reduces the chances of vehicles getting stolen. Even if a perpetrator were to attempt a break-in, then there is a strong chance that bystanders will witness them and catch them in the act, improving the response time. Well-lit areas are also a sign that the property owners are concerned about the safety and security of the premises, and there's a possibility that they've added surveillance cameras, which can help in identifying and prosecuting the perpetrator. Parking in safe and well-lit areas sends the message to potential car thieves that its owners and occupants are monitoring the space to keep it safe.

Locking your car is the first and most important measure a vehicle owner can take to prevent car theft. Even though there are methods for car thieves to bypass locks, locking the car door at all times will slow them down and impair their efforts. Criminals are generally looking for easy targets and will move on to other potential victims if they think it's too much of an effort. Most modern cars come equipped with alarm systems that are programmed to go off if someone tampers with the lock system.

Installing an alarm system is an additional layer of security that will deter a vehicle from becoming a target. Car alarms make noises that draw the attention of a lot of people. When an alarm goes off, people go outside or look out their windows. It puts eyes on the scene, which is the last thing a criminal wants. If potential thieves see that an alarm system is installed, they are likely to move on to easier targets. Some alarms are designed to disable the engine when an alarm is triggered, averting a theft altogether. Other alarms come with a GPS tracking device that can help locate the car in the event that it's stolen.

Steering wheel locks , also known as anti-theft devices, prevent the steering wheel from turning, either with a locking method or a chain that attaches to the steering wheel. With steering wheel locks it's impossible for a thief to steal a car and drive it away, and in some cases, they make the pedals inaccessible. Even if the thief breaks into the car and starts the engine, they won't be able to maneuver it and drive it away.

Hiding valuables in your car is a simple and effective method for preventing car break-ins. It conveys the message that there's nothing in the car that is worth stealing and that it's not worth the thief's trouble. Hiding valuables under the seats, in the glove compartment, or securing them in the trunk keeps them out of sight from people with bad intentions. It's not a foolproof way to prevent car break-ins, and criminals may still break into the vehicle.

Car owners should always use other methods for preventing car theft, such as locking their doors or installing alarm systems. However, it will prevent the car from being an easy target.

What to Do If Your Car Is Broken Into

Despite your best efforts, you may still experience a car break-in, and if that happens, you need to follow these steps.

Call the police. File a police report as soon as you discover the break-in. A police report will document the incident, which will help if you need to file an insurance claim. The police can collect any evidence that will help track down and prosecute the culprits. Reporting these incidents also benefits the larger community. If there is a pattern of car break-ins, law enforcement can track that data and allocate resources accordingly.

Document the damage. Gather as much information as possible regarding the damage and any stolen items. Take photos, record the date and time, note the location, and make a list of any stolen items. This documentation will support any insurance claims that you file and ensure you are compensated for losses and damage. The documentation will also assist law enforcement in arresting and filing charges against suspects.

Contact your insurance company. Once you've filed a police report and documented the damage, you need to contact your insurance company and file a claim. They may be able to cover repairs for damage or compensate you for stolen items. Your insurance company will walk you through the steps for filing a claim and explain what documentation is needed. The process may take time, so you'll want to set it in motion as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I prevent my car from being broken into if I don't have a garage?

Always lock your car and roll up your windows. Remove any personal items from the vehicle, such as bags, electronics, or loose change to reduce the risk of it being a target. If you can, park your vehicle on the street in front of your home or anywhere that is visible from your window. Park in well-lit areas where neighbors may observe suspicious activity.

Can a car alarm stop a thief from stealing my car?

Installing an alarm won't fully safeguard your car from thefts or break-ins, but it will deter thieves from targeting it. Thieves don't want to attract any attention, and a car alarm going off may stop a crime that is already taking place. Car alarms tend to draw a lot of attention from neighbors, who can potentially be witnesses to a crime.

What should I do if I see someone trying to break into my car?

If you see someone attempting to break into your car, stay calm and take quick action. Some key fobs have a function for setting off built-in car alarms that may scare off the thief. Call the police immediately and provide them with a description of the suspect and any other details that will help them investigate the crime. However, do not confront the thief. You don't know what they're capable of, and it's not worth risking injury or harm over a stolen vehicle.

How can I protect my car against keyless theft?

Store your key fob in a Faraday bag, which is designed to block electronic signals. Even if a car thief gains access to your vehicle, a steering wheel lock will prevent them from taking it anywhere, and a tracking device will help you locate the vehicle in case they do.

What are the most effective ways to prevent car theft?

This will mostly depend on the model of your car and what type of locking system it has, but locking your doors, removing valuables, and parking in well-lit, visible areas are the most effective ways to prevent car theft.

Is it possible to break into a car without leaving any damage?

A thief can break into a car by hacking an electronic key fob, intercepting, and capturing the signal, allowing them to unlock the car without leaving any damage. Slim Jims can unlock doors and windows without breaking them.

What should I do if my car was stolen?

If your car is stolen, you need to immediately report it to the police. Provide them with the make, model, and year of your vehicle as well as the license plate number. Notify your insurance company as soon as possible and report any valuables that may have been stolen.

Car break-ins are costly, disruptive, and frightening. You can do all the right things and still be unlucky enough to have your car broken into. However, if you take preventative measures such as locking your doors, parking in secure, well-lit places, and installing an alarm system, you can greatly reduce the risk. If the worst happens, report the incident to the police and file an insurance claim. Document everything and use all tools and resources available to protect you and your assets.

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