Car Theft is big business. In the US, a car is stolen every 28.8 seconds. Last year, over 1 million vehicles were stolen across the nation. Car theft risk is primarily depended by where you park your car, with theft occurring frequently in places where lots of cars are parked for extended period of times. High-risk places contain colleges, shopping centers, movie theaters, sports events, and, unfortunately for apartment dwellers, huge apartment complexes. Residence complexes have large groups of cars that are typically left unattended for hours at a time, which makes a residence complex parking lot an absolute supermarket for car thieves
How to reduce ur Vehicle’s Theft Risk
Stop criminals from stealing your car while it is parked in your residence complex by the following:
• Get a residence in a gated community. If you are moving soon, try to find a residence complex with a security gate. Car theft is less general if the thieves contain to go to great lengths to get into the complex.
• Pay for a garage, if one is available. Some residence complexes give enclosed garages for an extra fee each month. For renters who live in areas with high auto theft rates, the tiny extra cost might be worthwhile.
• If you have the choice, park in high-traffic, well-lit portions of the lot. Ideally, you wish for a parking place where cars and people regularly pass by and that is well-lit. Avoid parking in distant corners of the lot where your car is not observable from most apartments.
• Stamped your VIN on your vehicle’s parts. Having your vehicle identification number stamped on your doors, windows, fenders, and other main parts of your car will create it nearly impossible for thieves to sell your car for its parts.
• Put a locking tool on the steering column or wheel. Yes, anti-theft devices that catch the steering wheel, such as The Club, are not impervious to the efforts of thieves, but they are a restriction. Thieves may be able to break a locking device, but it takes more time and tools to do so, which may be sufficient to inspire the thief to pass over your car.
• Purchase an Onstar or LoJack system. These devices allow your car to be tracked in the incident it is stolen. LoJack is a stolen vehicle revival system that uses a tiny radio frequency transmitter that can be hidden in any of 20 spaces on your car. Once your car is reported stolen to the police, the transceiver is activated, emitting an impossible to hear signal. Lots of law enforcement vehicles and helicopters are prepared with computers with LoJack tracking ability, so the police can find LoJack signals in order to track and locate your car.