Vehicle owners beware: In the past, thieves broke into vehicles to steal such valuables as the stereo system or expensive items unwittingly left in plain sight. Today’s thieves have upped the ante by increasingly looking to the glove compartment for items such as your vehicle registration and insurance cards. Some have also taken to the practice of also removing license plates from vehicles.

 

How To Protect Yourself

So why the upswing in these practices? The simple truth is that both your vehicle registration and insurance card contain a great deal of personal information. In the wrong hands, this could lead to identity theft or to a burglary at your home. While there is really no way to get around revealing this highly sensitive information on official documents, there are some ways you can protect yourself, according to ctvnews.com.

• Instead of leaving the original document in your glove compartment, make a copy of your insurance and/or registration cards. Then, strike through the personal information thieves could use (address, date of birth, etc.) and make another copy. Leave that in your glove compartment.
• Find a more creative place to store the original document. For example, here we revealed the glove compartment as one of the main targets thieves go to when breaking into a vehicle; therefore, move your originals to places like the trunk (especially in the trunk underneath the spare tire) or underneath the floor mats. Remember, when thieves break into your vehicle, they are working quickly; anything that’s difficult to find or remove gets left behind.
• If you ever store your vehicle, be sure to take any identifying documents out of the vehicle.

In stealing your identity, thieves can go as far as applying for all types of items—including another vehicle—all in your good name. That’s one reason why having a identity theft protection service such as LifeLock can make a huge difference. Their surveillance methods are terrible news for would-be thieves, but terrific news for you.

Vehicle Cloning

Breaches to your credit aren’t the only things that can be done with these documents. In fact, vehicle cloning—while a more sophisticated practice—is also becoming more popular among criminals, according to worktruckonline.com. Vehicle cloning happens when thieves take your vehicle’s identification number, which is unique to that vehicle alone, and use it to create a legitimate identity for another vehicle, usually a stolen one. With a legitimate VIN, title and registration, stolen cars can move around legally and sold to the unsuspecting.

Again, hiding your insurance documents and striking through the identification number should help insulate you against such challenges. When buying a car, research the VIN numbers of any you’re considering prior to making a purchase.

Stolen License Plates

Criminals can attach stolen license plates to vehicles they have already stolen or use your stolen plate on a vehicle slated to be used as a getaway car. Thieves with a penchant for petty violations (such as running red lights or committing parking or moving violations) also may use a stolen plate on their own car, since cameras zero in on the license plate anyway. As the registered owner, you’ll get the bill in the mail.

Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas. Remember, thieves want as few witnesses as possible. Also, auto parts shops offer one-way screws for license plates that are both inexpensive and tough to remove.

Ready to go purchase that new vehicle with the latest security features? Look to OpenRoad Lending when the time is right to secure your best car loan options. You can apply in the comfort of your own home, get a car loan approval fast and then download your eCheck to go purchase the vehicle you want – at your terms, not the dealers.

It is fast and hassle free so you owe it to yourself to apply.