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Putting the brakes on auto theft |
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You should jot down your car's vehicle identification number, or VIN, and have it in your house, because the authorities
will want that information, too. (If your car is stolen and you don't have it, your mechanic may have it stored in his computer.) And
keep in mind, losing that paperwork to a criminal is also a great way to be a victim of identity theft. Burke also points out that a
thief will now know where you live. If they like your car, maybe they'll love what you have inside your house.
Security the 'MacGyver' way
The odds of getting your car back increase if you have a security
tracking system like OnStar, LoJack or one of the many other
brands available. But not everyone can afford a security system,
or feels that it's worth putting one into their trusty, dependable-but-aging
car.
If you want security on the cheap, there are a couple methods
to consider.
Rig up your own. This
was the strategy taken by John Smart, founder of a Web hosting company
in Eugene, Ore. "Several years ago, when I was driving an older
car, I went to RadioShack and purchased a flashing LED for
$4, a resistor pack for $2 and a 9-volt battery for $3. I put them
together and had a flashing light in my windscreen, making it look
like I had a car alarm."
Smart doesn't guarantee that his method kept thieves away -- "my car was not that great," he says -- but on the other hand, it
was never stolen.
Take a piece of the car with
you. Whenever Michael Schultz, a public relations professional
in Westford, Mass., parks in a high-risk area, he pops up the hood
and disconnects one of the spark plug connectors. "It's easy to
put back in running order when I return," says Schultz, who had
his car stolen when he was younger, and has adopted this strategy
ever since, "but there's no way even an experienced thief will get
that car started if they break in, and no car thief has the time
to open the hood and examine the engine to determine why a car won't
start."
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| Top 10 list of stolen cars |
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| 1. |
1995 Honda Civic |
6. |
1994 Chevrolet full size C/K 1500 pickup |
| 2. |
1991 Honda Accord |
7. |
1994 Nissan Sentra |
| 3. |
1989 Toyota Camry |
8. |
1994 Dodge Caravan |
| 4. |
1997 Ford F-150 |
9. |
1994 Saturn SL |
| 5. |
2005 Dodge Ram pickup |
10. |
1990 Acura Integra |
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On the other hand, some sophisticated thieves have been known to use tow trucks, or maybe you'll be unfortunate enough
to have your vehicle broken into by a thug with his own spare spark plug. If someone wants your vehicle badly
enough, he'll probably find a way to take it, so no matter how you protect yourself, it's probably wise to brace yourself that
sometimes a theft can happen to the best of us.
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