AUTO THEFT PREVENTION

1
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 Sheriffs Office
District III Detective Bureau
2
AUTO THEFT PREVENTION
No Cost Deterrents

• Dont become complacent because you drive a
  older-model vehicle. Older cars can be resold
  quickly or stripped for parts. A vehicles 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 ATMs.
• 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 dont like
  witnesses.

3
Dont be an Accomplice in a Vehicle Theft
Make sure the used vehicle you buy is not stolen!

• 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 manufacturers 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.

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.
4
AUTO THEFT PREVENTION
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER VIN

• 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

5
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 vehicles 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.
6
Time is a thiefs greatest enemy!
What is your plan to slow them down?