The cost of motor vehicle theft in 2020 alone was a colossal $7.4 billion, with 810,400 vehicles stolen. If you are worried about your car or bike being stolen or you have already fallen victim to vehicle theft and want to prevent it from happening again, the below blog is just what you need. Read on to discover how you can reduce the risk of your vehicle being stolen with tips and techniques that are affordable for all.
Invest in a private number plate
Private number plates, also known as cherished number plates, are a lot more distinctive and recognizable than standard number plates, which means that they are less attractive to thieves.
They are also much easier for members of the public to spot, so if the worst does happen and your car or motorbike is stolen, you could be more likely to get it back. You can find private number plates for sale online, on social media selling sites, and at the DMV (or the DVLA if in the UK)
Park responsibly
Although this can be tricky if you live in a rural area, it is always a good idea to avoid parking your car in dark or secluded locations, as these are much more attractive to opportunist thieves.
Instead, try to park in well-lit areas or staffed car parks that have CCTV cameras installed. If your home has a garage, then this is preferable to parking on the street.
Be vigilant
Carjacking incidents are on the rise, so you need to remain vigilant at all times when you are in your car and make sure that you always lock the doors, even when you are just sitting in traffic.
If your vehicle is bumped from behind, find somewhere safe to pull over, preferably where there are lots of other people around. If you feel at all suspicious about someone’s behavior, then call the police immediately.
Lock your vehicle
As mentioned above, it is vital that you keep your vehicle locked, even if you are just filling up on fuel or unloading your groceries.
Security technologies have come a long way in recent years, and there are now so many highly effective locking mechanisms on the market. You also need to make sure that you are keeping your keys safe and out of view. Alternatively, you may want to consider cars that feature keyless entry.
Look out for illegal tow trucks
Illegal tow trucks are actually a lot more common than you might think and involve thieves attempting to lift your vehicle straight off the streets. The best way to avoid falling victim to a tow truck scam is to look out for any tow truck crew acting suspiciously.
If you do notice anything, call the authorities or alert a police officer as quickly as possible, as it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Keep valuables out of sight
Although this goes without saying, you should always keep any valuable items, such as your phone, laptop, and wallet, out of sight, as these will attract opportunistic thieves. This applies to both when you are out and about and when your car is parked outside your home for the night.
