Your Car Contents Can Increase Your Risk of Being a Victim: Scambusters #1,171
Car theft can happen to anyone, anywhere, and at any time of the day. Whether you live in a city, own a car, or rent one, it's important to know how and why these crimes take place.
This article will look at car theft statistics, common mistakes that make people vulnerable, and simple steps you can take to protect yourself from being scammed.
Are You An Easy Target for Car Thieves?
Vehicle burglaries are common. The FBI reports that nearly 750,000 vehicle thefts and break-ins happened nationally in one year. These numbers show how widespread this crime is, affecting people in almost every type of area.
Vehicle burglaries can happen anywhere, but they are more common in urban areas. This is due to the higher population and the number of vehicles. Suburban and rural areas can also experience break-ins, especially in parking lots that are poorly lit or out of the way.
Parking lots, garages, and streets with little security are common targets for thieves. Stay aware of your surroundings when you leave your vehicle parked, even for a short time.
The #1 Item Car Thieves Look For
Many people overlook an important item they leave in their cars: the garage door opener. While it may not seem valuable, it can provide thieves with access to larger opportunities for crime.
If a thief finds your vehicle registration or insurance card, which typically displays your address, they can use this information to locate your home. With the garage door opener in hand, they could easily gain access and potentially commit crimes such as burglary or identity theft.
The Mistakes People Make with Garage Door Openers
Many people make a big mistake by leaving their garage door opener in plain sight inside their car, like clipped to the sun visor. This makes it easy for thieves to see and steal it, which gives them easy access to your home.
If your garage door opener is stolen from your vehicle, here’s what you should do right away:
- Disable your current garage door opener – Many garage door systems have a security feature that lets you temporarily turn off any active remotes.
- Reprogram your system – Most modern garage door openers let you change the code, so stolen remotes will no longer work.
- Change your locks and secure entry points – If a thief has access to your address and opener, it’s important to make your home secure right away.
- Notify local authorities – File a police report for added protection and documentation.
For older systems that don’t allow reprogramming, consider upgrading to a newer model with better security features, such as rolling codes that prevent signal duplication.
A stolen garage door opener can lead to a wide range of dangers, including:
- Home burglary – With a stolen opener and access to your address, thieves can enter your garage or home undetected.
- Theft of valuable items – Items in your garage or home, such as tools, bikes, or electronics, could be stolen.
- Identity theft – The risk of identity theft increases significantly if personal documents, files, or other identifying materials are stored in your vehicle, garage, or home, which car thieves can use to impersonate you.
- Financial theft – Access to details about bank accounts or credit cards.
- Account fraud – Car thieves can attempt to open new accounts or loans using your stolen information.
Reduce Your Risk of Identity Theft
To reduce the risk of car theft, always store your garage door opener out of sight. Here are some safe hiding places:
- Glove compartment – Keep it locked when your car is unattended.
- Center console – Again, lock it if possible.
- Under your seat or in a hidden compartment – Use any discreet storage area.
- Upgrade to a keychain remote – You can carry this with you instead of leaving it in your car.
Common Items Left in Cars with PII (Personal Identifying Information)
Thieves commonly find and exploit these items in vehicles:
- Insurance cards or vehicle registration documents
- Driver’s licenses
- Mail or packages with your address
- Financial documents
- Electronic devices like smartphones or laptops
- Keys to your home
- Keys to other vehicles
Avoid leaving these valuables in your car whenever possible.
In many previous Scambusters articles, the list of ways scammers steal your personal identifying information and scam you is lengthy. But when thieves break into your vehicle and find documents that lead them to where you live, the risks increase not just for you, but for your family and loved ones as well.
Read about how this entire family was affected when car thieves broke into their car: Family’s Car Broken Into at SLC Airport, Thieves Use Garage Door Opener to Break Into Home.
Steps to Take If Someone Breaks into Your Car
If your car is broken into, follow these steps:
- Contact local law enforcement – File a police report as soon as possible.
- Check for missing items – Take an inventory of stolen belongings, particularly personal identifying documents.
- Notify your insurance provider – Provide details of the theft to start a claim if needed.
- Secure your accounts – Notify your bank and credit card companies if personal financial information was stolen.
- Reprogram or disable critical systems – Immediately reset your garage door opener or any other easily reprogrammable devices.
Resources Available If You Are a Victim of Vehicle Burglary
If you become a victim of vehicle burglary, here are some resources to assist you:
- Local Law Enforcement – Contact your police department for immediate help.
- Insurance Providers – File claims for stolen items or vehicle damage.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – Use the FTC’s identity theft recovery plan if your personal information was compromised.
- Credit Monitoring Services (e.g., Experian, Transunion) – Monitor your credit to catch fraudulent activity early.
This video is a great example of the crime of opportunity with stolen garage openers: Crimes Involving Stolen Garage Door Openers Could Lead To Bigger Problems.
Conclusion
Garage door openers are helpful tools, but they can also be risky if not used safely. Scammers are desperate and will stop at nothing in their attempts to find their victims.
Don't leave garage door openers in plain view in your car. Instead, store them in a safe, hidden spot. If your opener gets stolen, act fast to disable and reprogram your garage system to stop further access. By keeping your opener safe and protecting your personal information, you can lower the risk of burglary and getting scammed.
Your safety is important. Take steps now to protect your car, home, and personal details. Don’t wait until something happens. Stay informed and take action to keep your belongings and identity secure. Remember these tips and share them with others to help create a safer community. Together, we can help prevent car thefts and burglaries.
Remember, Stay Alert and Stay Informed!