Be vigilant: criminals are smart
They open your car door before you even leave your car.
Criminals have found various smart ways of stealing your vehicle, despite you believing it was secured.
Insurance company Virseker recently informed vehicle owners about the new trend criminals use to steal vehicles parked in shopping mall or superstore parking lots.
The company said criminals posing as passers-by open one of your vehicle’s door just a little without you noticing. After you have left the scene, they help themselves to your hard-earned possessions and leave no trace of forced entry.
After such an incident had been recorded by CCTV in Menlyn Retail Park, Pretoria, the company officially investigated how many similar cases have been recorded over the last few months. Various cases were identified and the company lodged an official warning to community members to be vigilant when it comes to passers-by.
“This tactic not only allows them easy access to laptops, sunglasses, GPS’, jewellery, shopping bags filled with goodies and more, but, as a vehicle’s alarm often won’t engage when all doors are not properly closed, they can do so undisturbed,” Elmarie Twilley, spokesperson of Virseker said.
“Criminals always try to be one step ahead of their victims.”
Virseker offers the following tips to prevent becoming a victim:
• Always double-check that all your vehicle’s doors, as well as the boot, are properly closed before locking it. If your car is not equipped with central locking, make sure that all of these are manually locked.
• Make sure that the alarm system is armed before leaving your vehicle. Most alarm systems will not sound or will blink the indicator lights in a different way when something prevents them from arming.
• Limit distractions – avoid being so busy chatting away or checking your phone, that you are not focused on locking your car.
• Be wary of any suspicious individuals watching you closely while you park and/ or hanging around close to your vehicle.
“It is, of course, always wise to make sure that your vehicle is comprehensively insured and that portable possessions, like a laptop that may be temporarily stored in your vehicle, are adequately covered,” Twilley said.
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