Help Prevent Auto Theft
In my senior year of high school, I was a passenger during a carjacking. Over 10% of all reported crimes in the U.S. involve vehicles. These sobering statistics prompted me to explore how to avoid becoming a victim. We all know:
1. Never leave keys or belongings in our cars;
2. Always lock and alarm the car; and
3. Never leave the windows down or the sunroof open.
Here are some other ideas that can help you stay in the driver’s seat where you belong!
Visit the dealer
Dealerships are the best resource to quickly learn about the latest vehicle safety features. They know all of the secrets to program your car for maximum safety. Ask them about features, such as Auto-Lock, which can control when your car automatically locks or unlocks doors. This feature controls the driver’s side door independently from the passenger door(s). You can even inquire about a keyless FOB for added security. If this is not a standard feature on your car, consider upgrading your existing locking system to keyless - Yes, even if you currently don’t have power locks, you can upgrade most vehicles! There is a cost, but can you truly put a price tag on your personal security?
Start a habit
After you hit a certain speed, many vehicles are programmed to lock all doors. I urge you to get in the habit of locking your doors as soon as all passengers are safely inside the vehicle. Remember, thieves may try to open a door before you start the car. Your car may automatically unlock the doors when you shift to Park. If that is the case, I urge you to visit your dealership to reprogram this feature or google it and do this yourself. Until you have the time to fix this, double-tap your lock button to keep all doors locked until you are ready to exit the car. Have your purse, backpack, or bag in hand. Keep your cell phone and keys hidden from sight. Never sit with an unlocked door – or worse – open the door while gathering your belongings.
Watch your surroundings
Use caution when parking your car. Survey the area to look for any suspicious people or vehicles. Do not park near another car if you do not have to. Park under or close to overhead lighting whenever possible at night. Even while you are walking to your destination, be sure to keep a constant eye on your surroundings.
Don’t forget – when you stop at a gas pump, ALWAYS lock all of the car doors and keep the keys secure. Far too often, the criminal will sneak up while you are not paying attention to test the doors. If they can gain entry, they will retrieve your belongings, or even worse, they could be driving down the road before you can even process what happened.
Always trust your gut
When I was carjacked, I had a feeling that something was not right before I could even see the people approach the car. Unfortunately, I am not the only person in my family and circle of friends who have had a similar experience. The common theme – there was something about the situation that just didn’t feel right. If you feel something is “off,” listen to that instinct.
What do you have to add to this discussion? I want to hear from you! Leave a comment below or email me.
Krista Kyte is a personal finance blogger and personal banker with over 18 years of experience in the financial industry. Krista is passionate about helping our members understand their financial situations. She writes tips that help consumers reach and maintain financial security and start living the life they’ve always wanted.
