Car theft remains one of the most common crimes in America. According to AAA, a vehicle is stolen every 39 seconds and it is on the rise. Georgia is one of the top states for vehicle theft. What’s worse is that less than 50 percent of vehicles are recovered. Here are some steps to help reduce your risk of being a victim of car-theft:
The best way to stop thieves from targeting your vehicle in Macon, Warner Robins or Forsyth is by eliminating any opportunities they might have. It may be hard to believe but many thefts occur because owners leave their car running while they run inside the store for a quick purchase. Sure, it’s hot / cold outside and you just want to get back into your perfectly climatized car, but it isn’t worth getting your car stolen.
-
Always lock all doors and windows before leaving your car.
-
Park in well-lit areas, especially ones where there is a camera.
-
Don’t leave valuables on display, lock them up out of sight.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says it’s a good idea to have anti-theft devices in your car so a would-be crook can see that you’re protected. A would-be thief may skip a car with such a device thinking it will cost precious seconds more than your neighboring vehicle without the device. These include things like steering wheel locks and theft-deterrence decals.
What about the Vehicle Immobilizer (anti-theft system) that comes with my BMW? Won’t that prevent a criminal from stealing my car?
A vehicle immobilizer device (also called a car theft deterrent) can help reduce the risk of your car being stolen. Your car cannot be started without the fob in it or nearby. Nearly every car manufactured in the last 20+ years comes with this. So, if a potential car thief tries to start your car via the “hot wiring” method, it will not work. However, sophisticated thieves have found ways to work around this.
Earlier this year, there was a TikTok video circulating where criminals explained how easy it was to steal Kia and Hyundai vehicles due to a faulty design.
What if my car IS stolen in Macon, Warner Robins or Perry? Is there any way to track it? Or is there anything you can install to help catch the thieves? Cars can be tracked with:
-
Your car’s GPS
-
Sirius XM Satellite Radio
-
Dashcam (if GPS is included)
BMW Assist also includes stolen vehicle recovery services for your peace of mind. Additionally, if you ever get locked out, door unlock service can be requested with just a toll-free call. There’s also the MY BMW App which can help locate your vehicle remotely. Ready to look at some great new BMW autos? Check out our lineup in Macon here.