AUTO THEFT PREVENTION The more difficult your vehicle is to steal, the longer it takes to be stolen. The longer it takes, the more likely it is that the thief will move on to an easier target. Created by: Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District III Detective Bureau

AUTO THEFT PREVENTION Don’t become complacent because you drive a older-model vehicle. Older cars can be resold quickly or stripped for parts. A vehicle’s parts are worth two to three times the value of the car. Put all packages and personal items out of sight. Items left in the open make your vehicle a more desirable target. Close all windows, lock all doors and take the keys with you. In Florida, almost 25% of stolen vehicles had the keys in them. Never hide a second set of keys anywhere on your vehicle. Thieves know all the hiding places. Never leave the vehicle running, even if you will only be gone for a second. The most common place for stolen vehicles is at convenience stores, gas stations and ATM’s. Park in well-lighted areas. Over 50% of vehicle thefts occur at night. Use your garage; lock both the vehicle and the garage. Locking both doors greatly reduces the chance of theft. Keep your garage door opener with you. The thief may use it gain entry to your residence. Never leave your registration or title in the vehicle. File these documents in a safe place. If the thief has these documents the vehicle will be easier to sell. Park in attended lots, thieves don’t like witnesses. Have your VIN number etched onto your windows. This makes it difficult to switch VIN numbers on a stolen vehicle. “No Cost” Deterrents

Don’t be an Accomplice in a Vehicle Theft Make sure the used vehicle you buy is not stolen! Buying a stolen vehicle can lead to trouble. Anyone who buys a stolen vehicle can lose the vehicle and the money they paid for it – even if the person is not aware that the vehicle is stolen! Anyone who knowingly buys a stolen vehicle is guilty of a crime. If a deal seems to be “too good to be true”, it probably is. Check to make sure the VIN has not been tampered with. Deal only with reputable, established licensed used car dealer. Ask for manufacturer’s keys, do not accept a replacement set. Complete all paperwork at the time of the sale. Do not buy a used vehicle without being present when the title is notarized, go with them to DHSMV to have registration change. If you buy a vehicle from an individual, make sure the name on the title and registration match the name and address of the person selling the vehicle and their identification.

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER “VIN” AUTO THEFT PREVENTION This number should be the same in ALL documents pertaining to the vehicle, found in the following places. On a plate attached to the dash near the left side of the front windshield. Registration for the vehicle. The Title of the vehicle

Anti-Theft Devices A device that helps prevent vandalism to or theft of a motor vehicle and its contents. Steering Wheel Lock - like “the club” ( Owners are four times less likely to be a victim) LoJack Anti-Theft System - (tracking system - 95% chance of being recovered) Hood Restraint – Prevents full access to the under hood components. Steering Column Collar – Protects entry into the ignition through the column. Tire/Wheel Locks – Wraps around the tire or wheel to immobilize the vehicle. Gearshift Lock – Locks gearshift in place, making it impossible to shift into gear. Ignition Kill Switch –Toggle switch is spliced into ignition that disables vehicle when the switch is “off” Fuel Kill Switch – Switch is spliced into the fuel system wiring that halts fuel supply when “off” Alarm System – Motor vehicle’s horn, bell, siren or other sounding device that is easily audible at 300 ft. Most anti-theft devices cost less than the deductible you would pay if your vehicle was stolen. * Some insurance companies offer lower rates to vehicles with anti-theft devices.

Time is a thief’s greatest enemy! What is your plan to slow them down?