More than one million vehicles are stolen each year in the United States. The odds of a vehicle being stolen are one in 200. While urban areas tend to be the hardest hit by this crime, auto theft can happen anywhere. Although you can do many things to prevent theft, car thieves can still accomplish their goal. If your car is stolen, your best bet for recovery is to notify the authorities, however, you can take steps to help find the vehicle.
Plan ahead. You may find it difficult to remain calm if your vehicle is stolen, especially if it has been stolen by force. Detailed information about the car will get away from you, so take steps to prepare to help you begin the process of getting your car back. Secure information about your vehicle’s year, make and model, color, license plate number and VIN, the vehicle identification number. Keep this information in a safe place away from the car. Take pictures of your car, including special decals, special plates, and even dings or scratches that make the car easy to identify.
Invest in a GPS tracking system for the vehicle. Some of the services work directly with the police, through special equipment that allows authorities to track the vehicle as soon as the theft is reported. If you have a GM vehicle, sign up for OnStar. If your vehicle is stolen, contact OnStar by phone and they will work with local law enforcement, using GPS tracking, to locate the car.
If you witnessed the theft, take note of hair color, ethnicity, and approximate age range, but try to pursue the thief. Look for witnesses at the scene of the theft. If your car was parked in a secure lot, ask the property owner in case there is surveillance video that may have captured the incident. You may also want to check surrounding vehicles for damage. If the thief was reckless, he may have crashed into other cars, taking the vehicles’ paint with him.
Post flyers in the area where the theft took place. Add a detailed description of the picture and the car, the date and time of the occurrence, phone number of the law enforcement office that is handling your case and a monetary reward, if you feel this may increase the chances of locating your vehicle.
Tips
If personal items, such as wallets, were stolen as well, call credit card companies and banks immediately to freeze those accounts. If house keys were also in the vehicle, change the locks on your home.
Warnings
Never try to recover your stolen vehicle yourself. Don’t leave valuables in your car. Keep your cell phone, laptop, and wallet with you. Otherwise, you are giving a car thief access to your identity, address and place of employment.