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Remember These Tips:
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Don't leave anything of value, or anything that looks like it may have
value, in plain view in your car. Even an empty backpack will be inviting to a thief. They don’t know that it’s empty.
Don't leave anything in your car with your name and address on
it. Carry your registration and insurance card in your wallet.
Keep you car keys on a separate key ring from your house keys.
Park only in well-lit, busy areas.
Do not put items of value in your trunk while shopping. Your trunk is easy to break into and thieves watch for people placing items in their trunks. If you have to leave something in your car, pull over and place it in your
trunk before you get to where you are going.
Install motion sensor flood lights on the front of your house. This will not only help protect vehicles parked in front of your house but will also help protect your home and your family.
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Vehicle Alarms
Vehicle alarms can be a deterrent to amateur car thieves and car burglars. Some alarms disable the vehicle's starter or fuel pump until reset by the vehicle owner while others merely make noise and are usually ignored. The alarms with the disable feature are the most effective. Keep in mind that even the best alarms can be bypassed.
Steering Wheel Locks
As with car alarms, steering wheel locks or the "Club" may deter inexperienced car thieves. These devices are easy to circumvent and should not be counted on to protect your car, especially if you drive a popular model that is often stolen for parts. Thieves can very easily cut the steering wheel or remove the lock from the bar itself.
Vehicle Recovery Systems
Vehicle Recovery Systems: There are several types of vehicle recovery systems available, although not all are available in all areas. Some systems use electronic radio transmitting devices such as the VectorTrac, LoJack, and TeleTrac systems. GM’s OnStar is a well-known GPS/Cellular based tracking product that can also recover a vehicle under the right circumstances. Tracking systems, especially the RF Tracking systems, are very good at getting your vehicle back after it has been stolen and when combined with a vehicle alarm, offer the best protection you can get.
VectorTrac
The VectorTrac system utilizes a small radio transceiver that is hidden within the vehicle. The device will automatically activate when the vehicle is stolen and report this to the monitoring station. The vehicle may then be tracked from a computer as Tracking Receiver equipped vehicles move in for the apprehension and recovery. The monitoring station can remotely kill the vehicle’s engine at anytime to avoid dangerous pursuits and allow easy and safe recovery of the vehicle.
LoJack
Like the VectorTrac, LoJack utilizes a small radio transceiver hidden within the vehicle.
Because LoJack doesn't have automatic activation capability, the vehicle owner must report the theft before tracking can
begin. LoJack has been around longer than any other system and is well established in the US, the UK, and many other countries.
Top 10 Stolen Vehicles in the US:
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1
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3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
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Toyota Camry
Honda Accord
Oldsmobile Cutlass
Honda Civic
Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
Chevrolet Full Size C/K pick-up
Toyota Corolla
Chevrolet Caprice
Ford Taurus
Ford F150 pick-up
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