(These tips are from the pamphlet "50 Ways to Watch Your Car"
as distributed by the Texas Automobile Theft Prevention Authority, The North
Texas Council of Governments, and The Texas Department of Transportation.
For more information call 1-800-CAR-WATCH.)
"No Cost" Precautions
- Take Your Keys. Nearly 20 percent of all vehicles stolen had the keys
in them.
- Lock Your Car. Approximately 50 percent of all vehicles stolen were
left unlocked.
- Never Hide a Second Set of Keys in Your Car. Extra keys can easily
be found if a thief takes time to look.
- Park in Well-lighted Areas. More than half of all vehicle thefts occur
at night.
- Park in Attended Lots. Auto thieves do not like witnesses and prefer
unattended parking lots.
- If you Park in an Attended Lot, Leave Only the Ignition/Door Key.
If your trunk and glove box use the same key as the door, have one of
them changed. Don't give the attendant easy access to your glove box
and trunk. Upon returning, check the tires, spare and battery to ensure
they are the same as those you had when you parked.
- Never Leave Your Car Running, Even if You'll Only Be Gone for a Minute.
Vehicles are commonly stolen at convenience stores, gas stations, ATM's
etc. Many vehicles are also stolen on cold mornings when the owner leaves
the vehicle running to warm up. Leaving your key in an unattended motor
vehicle is a crime in Texas.
- Completely Close Car Windows when Parking. Don't make it any easier
for the thief to enter your vehicle.
- Don't Leave Valuables in Plain View. Don't make your car a more desirable
target and attract thieves by leaving valuables in plain sight.
- Park With Your Wheels Turned Toward the Curb. Make your car tough
to tow away. Wheels also should be turned to the side in driveways and
parking lots.
- If Your Vehicle is Rear-Wheel Drive, Back Into Your Driveway. Front-wheel
drive vehicles should be parked front end first. On four-wheel drive
vehicles the rear wheels sometimes lock, making them difficult to tow.
- Always Use Your Emergency Brake When Parking. In addition to ensuring
safety, using the emergency brake makes your car harder to tow.
- If You Have a Garage, Use It. If you have a garage, take the time
to use it rather than parking outside where your vehicle is more vulnerable.
- When Parking in a Garage, Lock the Garage Door and Your Vehicle. By
locking both the garage and vehicle doors, the chances of deterring
a thief greatly improve.
- Don't Leave the Registration or Title in Your Car. A car thief will
use these to sell your stolen car. File the title at your home or office,
and carry registration in your purse or wallet.
- Disable Your Vehicle When Leaving it Unattended for an Extended Period.
Remove the electronic ignition fuse, coil wire, rotor distributor, or
otherwise disable your vehicle anytime thieves may have extended access
to it.
- Replace "T"-shaped Door Locks With Straight Locks. Some
vehicle doors have lock assemblies at window level that flare out in
a knob or "T" shape. A thief can can use various tools to
gain access inside the vehicle, grab and pull the lock. Straight locks
prevent this.
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Stolen cars/parts are more easily
traced when vehicle VIN numbers have been etched on car windows and
major parts.
- Engrave Expensive Accessories. Engrave personal I.D. numbers on car
stereos, cellular phones, etc., so the thief will have difficulty disposing
of them
- Drop Business Cards, Address Labels, or Other I.D. Inside Vehicle
Doors. Car thieves usually alter vehicle identification numbers. By
marking your vehicle as much as possible, you assist police in identifying
your car.
Investing In Vehicle Protection
- Ignition Kill Switch. Splice an inexpensive toggle switch into your
ignition wire or to your starter. The trick is hiding your switch well.
Key pads, pressure pads, and more expensive "Immobilizers"
and "Passkeys" also can be used.
- Fuel Kill Switch. The valve that halts the fuel supply is closed.
- Visible Steering Wheel Lock. Prevents the steering wheel from being
turned.
- Floorboard Locks. Devices that disable the gas or brake pedal.
- Gearshift Locks. Disables shifting of the transmission.
- Tire/Wheel Locks. Prevents the vehicle from moving.
- Hood Locks. Prevents the thief from gaining access to your security
systems and battery.
- Armored Collar Around the Steering. Protects the column and ignition.
Electronic Security Systems
- Alarms. Loud warnings sound when doors/hood/trunk are opened. Optional
sensors include glass breakage, motion and towing. Panic buttons, back-up
batteries, flashing parking lights or headlights, and automatic engine
disable features also are recommended.
- Vehicle Tracking. Transmitter hidden in car enables police to track
the car. (Not available in all areas.)
Beware of "HOT" Used Car Deals
Not all stolen cars are stripped for parts. Many are resold to unknowing
and unsuspecting buyers. If you knowingly buy a stolen car, you can be
arrested. If you buy a stolen car unknowingly, you could lose the car
and your money. Avoid becoming the car thief's second victim by
following these tips.
- Be suspicious of any deal that seems "too good to be true".
- When buying from a private individual, make sure the title and registration
match the name and address of the person selling the car.
- Be cautious of a seller with no fixed address, place of employment,
or phone number.
- Ask the seller for references about past financing and insurance on
the vehicle. Verify the information with the bank, finance company,
or agent.
- Ensure the vehicle information number (VIN) plate on the automobile's
dash is present, secure, and has no loose rivets.
- Check to ensure the VIN plate has not been repainted and the numbers
stamped in the plate appear to be the original factory numbers.
- Ensure the VIN plate rivets are original. All 1970 and newer autos
produced in North America have stainless steel "rosette" rivets
with six petals and a hole in the middle. They are difficult to scratch
with a knife.
- Thieves may remove the VIN plate and replace it with one from a similar
wrecked vehicle. If in doubt about plate authenticity, check with a
new car dealer who handles the same model, or contact a law enforcement
agency.
- The VIN on the dash must match the VIN on the registration, title,
and federal safety inspection sticker on the driver's door.
- If the VIN plate is scratched, bent or missing rivets, tampering may
have occurred.
- Make sure the federal safety inspection sticker, located on the driver's
door or door jamb, is securely in place and none of the numbers appear
to be tampered with.
- Beware of a loose dashboard.
- An excessively loose ignition switch may indicate tampering. Check
the switch for chisel or pull marks.
- Be wary of a fresh paint job on a newer vehicle. This may indicate
an attempt to change the car's identity.
- Check the inspection and license plate stickers to be sure they are
current and issued by the same state.
- If the seller provides you with only re-made keys, not original manufacturer's
keys, for a newer model, be suspicious.
- Titles and registrations are frequently counterfeited. Therefore,
demand the title before paying, and make sure it matches the registration.
By completing all paperwork at the time of sale, you avoid giving the
thief extra time to obtain fraudulent documents.
- Question the seller if the registration was recently issued on an
older vehicle.
- Compare the engine identification numbers with all other numbers to
ensure a match.
- Be cautious of new license plates on an old car, or new plate bolts
on an older plate.
Return to the Top of this Page.
(These tips are from the pamphlet "Home Security, Invest In It Now,"
that is distributed by the National Crime Prevention Council, 1700 K Street,
NW, Second Floor, Washington, DC 20006-3817, see http://www.weprevent.org/,
the Bureau of Justice Assistance Office of Justice Programs U.S. Department
of Justice, and ADT Security Services.)
Check The Locks
- Make sure every external door has a sturdy, well-installed dead bolt
lock. Key-in-the-knob locks alone are not enough.
- Sliding glass doors can offer easy access if they are not properly
secured. You can secure them by installing commercially available locks
or putting a broomstick or dowel in the track to jam the door. To prevent
the door being lifted off the track, drill a hole through the sliding
door frame and the fixed frame. Then insert a pin in the hole.
- Lock double-hung windows with key locks or "pin" windows
by drilling a small hole into a 45 degree angle between the inner and
outer frames, then insert a nail that can be removed. Secure basement
windows with grilles or grates.
- Instead of hiding keys around the outside of your home, give an extra
key to a neighbor you trust.
- When you move into a new house or apartment, re-key the locks.
Check The Doors
- All outside doors should be metal or solid wood.
- If your doors don't fit tightly in their frames, install weather stripping
around them.
- Install a peephole or wide-angle viewer in all entry doors so you
can see who is outside without opening the door. Door chains break easily
and don't keep out intruders.
Check The Outside
- Thieves hate bright lights. Install outside lights and keep them on
at night.
- Keep your yard clean. Prune back shrubbery so it doesn't hide doors
or windows. Cut back tree limbs that a thief could use to climb to an
upper-level window.
- Clearly display your house number so police and other emergency vehicles
can find your home quickly.
- If you travel, create the illusion that you're at home by getting
some timers that will turn lights on and off in different areas of your
house throughout the evening. Lights burning 24 hours a day signal an
empty house.
- Leave shades, blinds, and curtains in normal positions. And don't
let your mail pile up! Call the post office to stop delivery or have
a neighbor pick it up.
- Make a list of your valuables - VCRs, stereos, computers, jewelry.
Take photos of the items, list their serial numbers and descriptions.
Check with law enforcement about engraving your valuables through Operation
Identification.
- Ask local law enforcement for a free home security survey.
Consider An Alarm
- Check with several companies before you buy so you can decide what
level of security fits your needs. Do business with an established company
and check references before signing a contract.
- Learn how to use your system properly! Don't "cry wolf"
by setting off false alarms. People will stop paying attention and you'll
possibly be fined.
- Some less expensive options... a sound detecting socket that plugs
into a light fixture and makes the light flash when it detects certain
noises, motion sensing outdoor lights that turn on whenever someone
approaches, or lights with photo cells that turn on when it's dark and
off when it's light.
Burglars do more than steal
- If something looks questionable - a slit screen, a broken window,
or an open door - don't go in. Call the police from a neighbor's house
or a public phone.
- At night, if you hear someone breaking in, leave safely if you can,
then call police. If you can't leave, lock yourself in a room with a
phone and call police. If an intruder is in your room, pretend you are
asleep.
- Guns are responsible for many accidental deaths in the home every
year. Think carefully before buying a gun. If you do own one, learn
how to store it and use it safely.
There's more you can do
- Join a neighborhood watch group. If one doesn't exist, you can start
one with help from local law enforcement.
- Never leave a message on your answering machine that indicates you
may be away from home. Rather than saying "I'm not at home right
now," say "I'm not available right now."
- Work with neighbors and local government to organize community clean-ups.
The cleaner your neighborhood, the less attractive it is to crime.
Return to the Top of this Page.
(These tips are from the pamphlet "Protecting Your Privacy, Keeping
an Eye on Your Private Information," that is distributed by the National
Crime Prevention Council, 1700 K Street, NW, Second Floor, Washington, DC
20006-3817, see http://www.weprevent.org/,
the Bureau of Justice Assistance Office of Justice Programs U.S. Department
of Justice, and ADT Security Services.)
A Word on Passwords
Whether you are on the Internet or an online banking program, you are
often required to use a password. The worst passwords to use are the ones
that come to mind first - name, spouse's name, maiden name, pets, children's
names, even street addresses, etc. The best passwords mix numbers with
upper and lowercase letters. A password that is not found in a dictionary
is even better. There are programs that will try every word in the dictionary
in an effort to crack your security.
The weakest link in a security system is the human element. The fewer
people who have access to your codes and passwords the better. Avoid breaks
in your security by:
- Changing your password(s) regularly.
- Memorizing your password.
- Setting up a special account or setting aside a different computer
at work for temporary help and unauthorized users.
- If you have the option of letting your computer or a Web site remember
your password for you, don't use it.
- Don't send confidential, financial, or personal information on your
e-mail system.
Shopping in Cyberspace
Ordering merchandise from the Internet is the trend of the future. You
can prevent problems before they occur by:
- Doing business with companies you know and trust.
- Understanding the offer.
- Using a secure browser that will encrypt or scramble purchase information.
- Never give a bank account or credit card number or other personal
information to anyone you don't know or haven't checked out.
Using ATMs, Long Distance Phone Services, and Credit Cards
Protect Your Personal Identification Number (PIN)
- Your PIN should be memorized, secured, and not given to anyone, not
even family members or bank employees. The fewer people who have access
to your PIN, the better.
- Never write your PIN on ATM or long distance calling cards. Don't
write your PIN on a piece of paper and place it in your wallet. If your
wallet and card are lost or stolen, someone will have everything they
need to remove funds from your account, make unauthorized debit purchases,
or run up your long distance phone bill.
Protect Your Privacy
- Be aware of others waiting behind you. Position yourself in front
of the ATM keyboard or phone to prevent anyone from observing your PIN.
Protect Your ATM Cards
- An ATM card should be treated as though it were cash. Avoid providing
card and account information to anyone over the telephone.
- When making a cash withdrawal at an ATM, immediately remove the cash
as soon as the machine location before counting it. Never use an ATM
in an isolated area or where people are loitering.
- Be sure to take your receipt to record transactions and match them
against monthly statements. Dishonest people can use the receipt to
get your account number. Never leave the receipt at the site.
Protect Your Credit Cards
- Only give your credit card account number to make a purchase or reservation
you have initiated. And never give this information over a cellular
telephone.
- Never give your credit card account number to someone else to use
on your behalf.
- Watch your credit card after giving it to store clerks to protect
against extra imprints being made
- Destroy any carbons. Do not discard into the trash can at the purchase
counter. Keep charge slips in a safe place.
- Protect your purse or wallet, especially when travelling or in crowded
situations.
- Save all receipts, and compare them to your monthly statement. Report
any discrepancies immediately!
- Keep a master list in a secure place at home with all account numbers
and phone numbers for reporting lost or stolen cards.
Lost or Stolen Cards
- Always report lost or stolen cards to the issuing company immediately.
This limits any unauthorized use of your card and permits the company
to begin the process of issuing a new card.
Return to the Top of this Page.
(These tips are from the pamphlet "Get In Stride and Stay Safe, Safety
Tips for Runners and Walkers," that is distributed by the National
Crime Prevention Council, 1700 K Street, NW, Second Floor, Washington, DC
20006-3817, see http://www.weprevent.org/,
the Bureau of Justice Assistance Office of Justice Programs U.S. Department
of Justice, and ADT Security Services.)
Before You Leave
- Plan your outing. Always tell someone where you are going and when
you will return. Tell friends and family of your favorite exercise routines.
- Know where telephones are located along the course.
- Wear an identification tag or carry a driver's license. If you don't
have a place to carry your ID, write your name, phone number, and blood
type on the inside of your athletic shoes. Include any medical information.
- Don't wear jewelry or carry cash.
- Wear reflective material.
On The Road
- Tell a family member or friend where you are going and the time you
expect to be back.
- Stay alert at all times. The more aware you are, the less vulnerable
you are.
- Run or walk with a partner, a dog, or both.
- Don't wear headsets. If you wear them you won't hear an approaching
car or attacker. Listen to your surroundings.
- Consider carrying a cellular telephone.
- Exercise in familiar areas. Know which businesses or stores are open.
- Vary your route
- Avoid unpopulated areas, deserted streets, and overgrown trails. Especially
avoid poorly lighted areas at night.
- Run clear of parked cars or bushes.
- Ignore verbal harassment. Use discretion in acknowledging strangers.
Look directly at others and be observant, but keep your distance and
keep moving.
- Run against traffic so you can observe approaching vehicles.
- Trust your intuitions about a person or an area. React based on that
intuition and avoid areas you feel unsure about.
- Be careful if anyone in a car asks you for directions - if you answer,
keep at least a full arm's length from the car.
- If you think you are being followed, change direction and head for
open stores, theaters, or a lighted house.
- Have your door key ready before you reach your home.
- Call police immediately if something happens to you or someone else,
or you notice anyone out of the ordinary. It is also a good idea to
check with police about any criminal activity in the area you plan to
run.
Running and Walking in the Evening or Early Morning
- Make sure people can see you: Think about where you are going and
how well lighted it may or may not be. Going out at dusk or at night
is dangerous without some reflective device on your clothing. Many athletic
shoes have reflective qualities built in, but also consider a vest complete
with reflective tape.
- Watch the road: Wet or even patchy spots of ice may not be seen until
it's too late. The slick spots can lay in waiting and are considerably
harder to see in the dark.
- Keep alert. Dawn and dusk offer convenient shadow for muggers and
other crooks.
Away From Home
- Check with the hotel staff or concierge to find a safe route for exercise.
If there is not an acceptable place to exercise outdoors, see if the
hotel can arrange for you to go to a health club or gym.
- Become familiar with your exercise course before you start. Get a
map and study it.
- Remember the street address of the hotel. Carry a card with your hotel
address along with your personal ID.
- Leave your room key with the front desk.
- Follow your usual safety rules.
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