9 Practical Tips to Avoid Car Theft
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How to Make Your Vehicle a Less Appealing Target for Car Thieves
In case you’re not aware, car thieves and joy-riders are getting smarter and savvier these days. After stealing cars with a bunch of smart keys, they avoid detection by switching vehicle identification numbers.
You can either choose to become a willing victim by not doing anything to slow them down, or you can make your car look less attractive to these criminals. If you’re determined to protect your horseless carriage from theft, you need to secure your vehicle by taking preventive measures.
The Things You Can Do to Avoid Car Theft
You wouldn’t want to make it easy for car thieves to steal your precious ride. The more attractive your car is to them, the more they’d want it. Goodwill Car Donations has pulled together the following tips to help you make your car a less appealing target:
- Keep your doors always locked.
This first step is a no-brainer. Getting into the habit of keeping your doors locked is always a good idea.
- Keep the windows closed.
A parked car with an open window is an easy target. In just a few seconds, a thief can reach into your car to unlock the door.
- Avoid leaving your key in the ignition.
It’s never wise to leave your key in the ignition while you go into a convenience store for a quick purchase. A thief won’t hesitate to break a window, hop in, and drive off.
- Don’t keep a spare key anywhere in the car.
When it comes to locating a spare key, thieves know where to look. Do yourself a favor by not leaving your spare key in the glove box or under the car. Getting your car stolen is a thousand times worse than getting locked out of your vehicle. It’s best to take your keys with you every time you leave your car.
- Avoid parking in poorly lit areas.
A thief would have to think twice before they try to steal a car that’s parked in a well-lit area. As much as possible, be sure to park your vehicle under a light. While you’re at it, make sure that it’s a well-trafficked spot.
- Don’t leave valuables inside your parked vehicle.
Leaving your purse, smartphone, laptop, or any other valuable item inside your parked car is like placing a welcome mat out for a thief. For this reason, it’s always a smart move to leave your valuables at home. If you must have them with you, be sure to put them in the trunk before you leave your home. After all, you wouldn’t want to let a would-be thief see you moving high-value items to your trunk before you leave your car.
- Invest in an anti-theft device and an audible alarm system.
One of the best ways to deter a car thief is to install visible anti-theft devices such as a steering wheel lock, an alarm system’s flashing light, and window etching. You may also want to install an audible alarm system that’s specifically designed to emit a loud noise if a car thief tries to enter your car. Since thieves want to get away with your vehicle as quietly as possible, they’d have to think twice before they try to steal yours.
- Use a vehicle immobilizer system.
Experienced car thieves are experts at bypassing the ignition by hotwiring your vehicle. A thief can’t make off with your car if you disable it with an immobilizer system that incorporates kill switches, smart keys, and wireless ignition authentication.
- Install a vehicle recovery system.
A vehicle recovery system can help track a stolen vehicle through wireless and GPS technology. This system is designed to emit a signal of the car’s location to a monitoring service or the police.
You Can Turn Your Unwanted Car into a Life-Changer
No matter how old your car is, you wouldn’t want to lose it to a thief. If you’re thinking of disposing of that vehicle, hand it over to us at Goodwill Car Donations instead of allowing it to get stolen. We’ll use it to support a worthy cause — that of improving the living conditions of the less fortunate people in your community.
Our team will have your donated vehicle sold through an auction, with the proceeds going to the Goodwill organizations serving your area. These IRS-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofits cater to disadvantaged Americans — those who lack education, job experience, or essential skills, as well as those who are burdened with disabilities and other limiting personal issues, such as being welfare-dependent and having past prison records.
Your local Goodwill organizations use the funds that we turn over to them to deliver life enrichment services to their beneficiaries, providing them with job training, employment opportunities, scholarships, livelihood assistance, disability benefits, family support, educational services, financial assistance, and other essential support services.
Your donation will also greatly benefit you. We’ll pick up and tow your vehicle anywhere in the country. We’ll also make sure that you get to claim the maximum tax deduction in the next tax season by sending you the 100% tax-deductible sales receipt of your vehicle days after its sale.
More importantly, your act of kindness will allow you to experience the priceless joy of knowing that you’re doing something that will bring hope to the underprivileged members of your community.
We accept almost all vehicle types regardless of their ages, appearances, or working conditions.
Want to know our quick and easy vehicle donation process and other important details about our vehicle donation program? Check them out on our FAQs page. Should you have any questions or concerns, you may reach us anytime through our toll-free hotline at 866-233-8586. You may also send us a message here.
Photo by ALEKSEY KUPRIKOV under Unsplash License
Help Uplift the Lives of the Needy Today!
You can make a massive impact on the lives of the disadvantaged and impoverished people in your community. Your car donation can help ease their burdens. Call Goodwill Car Donations at 866-233-8586 or fill out our secure online donation form now!
Last Updated: March 9th, 2023