Recently I went to the local mall. After concluding my shopping, I returned to the parking lot. I walked down the aisle where I had parked my car. Upon reaching the spot where I thought I had left my car, I was greeted with an empty stall. My car’s been stolen, I convinced myself. I spun around looking desperately for the car (I drive a large Suburban, so I held onto the hope that I might spot it). Fortunately, it turned out that I had merely walked down the wrong aisle and I easily found my vehicle. But the experience was enough for me to consider how safe my car really is.

What I’ve found out is shocking. While my gas-guzzling, tank-sized SUV may not be on the top of the car thief’s favorite vehicles to steal, it wasn’t exactly theft proof. I was at risk of losing my car simply because I had committed several mistakes and even more oversights.

The Alarming Statistics

According to 2003 U.S. statistics, every 25 seconds a car is stolen. Fortunately, the recovery rate for stolen vehicles in the U.S. is at 63 percent. The bad news? That number fell from the mid 80 percent levels in the early 90s. And there’s more:

• U.S. motor thefts rose 1.1 percent in 2003. That’s an increase of nearly 14,000 more cars than 2002, bringing the total to 1,260,471 motor vehicles reported stolen.
• The odds of your car being stolen? 1 in 190. Your car is more likely to be stolen than for you to be involved in a car accident, having your identity stolen, or being audited by the IRS.

Recent studies indicate that Honda Accord is no longer the reigning champ of stolen vehicles. According to CCC Information Services, Inc., that odious honor now goes to the 1999 Acura Integra. What other cars are topping out a thief’s top picks?

The CCC’s List:

• 1999 Acura Integra
• 2002 BMW M Roadster
• 1998 Acura Integra
• 1991 GMC V2500
• 2002 Audi S4
• 1996 Acura Integra
• 1995 Acura Integra
• 2004 Mercury Marauder
• 1997 Acura Integra
• 1992 Mercedes-Benz 600

The NICB’s List:

• 2000 Honda Civic
• 1989 Toyota Camry
• 1991 Honda Accord
• 1994 Chevrolet C/K 1500
• 1994 Dodge Caravan
• 1997 Ford F-150
• 1986 Toyota Pickup
• 1995 Acura Integra
• 1987 Nissan Sentra
• 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass

The HLDI’s List: (models are 2001 to 2003)

• Cadillac Escalade EXT
• Nissan Maxima
• Cadillac Escalade
• Dodge Stratus/Chrysler Sebring
• Dodge Intrepid

Auto Theft Protection

When it comes to preventing your car from being stolen, there are two things you need to remember: time and effort. For the amateur or professional thief, these two factors more than anything else will determine whether your car is worth stealing. If you can increase the amount of time or effort it takes to steal your car, the less likely it is that it will be stolen.

But how do you go about increasing those two factors? There are a number of simple steps that you can take. Additionally, there are a few more complicated steps that represent more of an investment on your part, but can also represent a break in your insurance rates—not to mention preventing the cost of replacing your car.

Common Sense

The first level of security comes from using a little common sense. Your car comes with a few security measures. Use these and you’ll be well on your way to preventing theft. Here’s a helpful list, adapted from suggestions provided by HEAT (Help Eliminate Auto Theft), that you can use to more fully use your car’s inherent security measures:

1. Always lock your car. It may sound simple, but half of all stolen cars were left unlocked.
2. Always remove your keys. Again, simple step, but 20% of car thefts are caused by leaving your keys in the car.
3. Park in well-lighted areas and busy car lots or lots with attendants.
4. Never leave valuables in plain view. Place purses, CDs, purchases, or any other valuables out of sight, preferably locked in your trunk.
5. Always close your windows completely. During warm weather, it may be preferable to leave your windows cracked, but doing so just makes it easier for a thief.
6. Don’t hide a spare key on your car. You’re not the only one to have thought of putting a key in that secret spot. Thieves know about them too. Leave spare keys at home or with a loved one.
7. Don’t leave your insurance cards or registration in the glove box. Either of these two documents provides a thief with exactly what he or she needs for a quick profit or to waylay any suspicions if stopped by a police officer.
8. When you park your car, turn the wheels toward the curb. If your rear wheel drive, back into parking spots. Front wheel drive vehicles should be parked front-end first. Doing so locks the tires, making the car harder to tow. And always set your parking/emergency brake.
9. Remove all your stored items and turn your garage back into a garage. Always make sure to lock both the garage (the big entrance door and any side doors) as well as your car.
10. If you’ll be leaving your vehicle unattended for long periods of time, disable it. You can remove the ignition wire or starter coil, for example.

Visual Deterrents

You’ve probably seen any number of paid-programming or commercials touting this or that car security device. Inevitably, each of these devices will claim to be more effective than the competition. The truth of the matter is that no matter what security device you put on a car, a determined thief will be able to bypass it.

But that’s not the point. Remember, increasing time and effort are what matters. The longer it takes a thief to break into your car and get it started, the more likely they will be discovered in the process.

Here are a few security devices that represent more time and effort for a thief:

Car Alarms. Car alarms are probably the most popular form of vehicle security. That blinking red light or the sticker proclaiming a car is protected by a car alarm is a great deterrent. If the alarm does go off—especially if you’ve parked in a highly visible or very busy area—most thieves will give up.

Unfortunately, because of the prevalence of false alarms, fewer and fewer people are responding to car alarms. Still, car alarms are a great source of security. Make sure that your alarms are professionally maintained and set to cut down on false alarms. You can also equip your car with an alarm that alerts you through a personal device—that way you know your car is in danger without waking up the entire neighborhood.

Stickers and Decals. Sticker and decals that proclaim your car to be protected are also a great deterrent. Whether your car is actually protected by a security system or not, thieves will still think twice before breaking in. Just make sure that the sticker doesn’t provide a name of the security device. Letting the thief know which system he has to thwart gives him or her a head start.

Locking Bars. These bars lock your steering wheel or your brake, making it impossible to drive while the bars are on. Thieves may be able to remove these devices, but it still represents more time and effort.

Steering Wheel Collars. These armored collars fit over the steering wheel column, effectively covering the ignition and wires used for hotwiring your car. Some models also immobilize the steering wheel.

Tire Locks. Tire locks are very similar to the circular boots that police and parking enforcement officers use. The locks clamp down on the tire, immobilizing it. Again, thieves may be able to remove these, but remember: time and effort. Tire locks are also a great deterrent for thieves using tow trucks.

Locks and Miscellanea. There are many companies that offer additional locks for doors, tailgates, trunks, and even hoods. (If you have a car alarm, you may want to consider a hood lock. Hood locks prevent a thief from disabling the alarm by getting to the car battery.) Additional locks, or housings for latches, can help prevent easy entry into your car.

Car Immobilizers

Some security devices can be hidden in the car that will thoroughly thwart most thieves. Here are a couple:

Smart Keys. More and more manufacturers are developing keys that are electronically coded—some even use computer chips—to protect your car. Cars with smart keys will not start without this code.

Starter, Ignition, and Fuel Disablers. Kits are available—and mechanics can install them if you’re not sure—to install switches that shut off or interrupt either the starting or ignition mechanism or the flow of fuel to the carburetor. With these switches in the off position, the car will not start. Hidden switches such as these will frustrate would-be thieves, causing them to leave your car alone. You can also find time delay fuses which will burn out after the car is started—thus immobilizing it—unless a switch is hit.

Tracking Devices

Installing a tracking device in your car is an excellent option. There are many different options available (Onstar, Boomerang, ResQ, Networkcar), but a recent study of LoJack conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research is especially interesting.

“With Lojack, a small radio transmitter is hidden in one of many possible locations within a car. When the car is reported stolen, the police remotely activate the transmitter, allowing specially equipped police cars and helicopters to track the precise location and movement of the stolen vehicle. Of stolen vehicles equipped with Lojack, 95 percent are recovered, compared to roughly 60 percent of stolen vehicles overall.”

Of course, there are some complaints regarding these tracking devices. The signal can be disrupted - a common complaint with Onstar, which will also shut off the signal after 48 hours unless you request to have it stay on. Still, the success rate of finding stolen motor vehicles equipped with tracking devices is hard to ignore. Even if the car ends up in a chop shop, many such shops have been found and closed thanks to tracking devices.

VIN Etching

VIN etching is a process of etching your vehicle identification number on different parts of the car. Most commonly, these etchings are done on every glass surface, but they can also be done on many other parts of your car. With the VIN etched on different parts, it makes the car that much harder to sell or chop up. Professionals will see this and look for a car that is less trouble to get rid of.

Stopping Used Car Fraud

If you’re thinking of selling your car yourself, pay special attention to this section. According to a 1999 study conducted by the FBI, the most common days for stolen cars were Friday and Saturday. (Interestingly, according to the same study, the days that show the highest recovery rates are Monday and Tuesday.)

While there may be other reasons, one of the biggest contributing factors is people selling their cars. Imagine the following scenario. A potential buyer approaches you on a Friday or Saturday and gives you a check for the car. You happily hold onto the check, passing the keys and title over. Monday comes and you go to the bank where you discover that the check is a fake. Not only are you holding onto a worthless piece of paper, but the thief has gotten away with stealing your car.

“Beware of the shiny Corvette selling for rock bottom price on the lawn of someone you don’t know,” says Terri Miller, director of HEAT. “Auto thieves take advantage of unsuspecting consumers in two ways: buying cars with bogus checks or selling stolen cars with fake titles. Consumer should be aware that not only are they vulnerable to losing their property or money, they can be held liable for unwittingly participating in these activities.”

If you are selling or car, or if you’re considering buying a used car from someone other than an authorized dealership, take a few precautions:

• Be wary of incredible deals. If a car is being offered well below it’s actual worth, there may be a reason. Get the VIN and check it against stolen car reports as well as vehicle history reports.
• Beware of out-of-state purchases. Always get the title and complete the sale during the hours of the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State department can quickly verify license and title information for accuracy.
• Avoid selling your vehicle on weekends. Just because the check says it is certified doesn’t mean that it is valid. Wait for the banks to be open so that you can verify that the check is authentic.
• Always get accurate identification information. Make sure that you have home and work phone numbers as well as a real address. When possible, don’t accept cell phone numbers. Ask for two forms of id.

Safe and Secure

A study conducted in Canada provides further enlightenment when it comes to car security. The Correctional Service of Canada interviewed inmates to discover what they would suggest for owners. The results of these interviews are as follows:

“Concerning antitheft systems in particular, the most common advice and recommendations from the inmates were as follows: equip vehicles with a system blocking all four wheels, do not put the name of the antitheft system on the vehicle, and encourage engraving and mercury and pagette style alarm systems. Another important point that came out of the inmate interviews was the fact that it took very little time to commit the thefts. Therefore, this element should be taken into account when evaluating antitheft systems.”

Remember, the key to vehicle security is increasing the amount of time and effort it takes to steal your car. This may mean more time and effort on your part—and perhaps a financial investment—but not having to go through the stress of having your car stolen is well worth the effort.