Nice ride! We’re really digging that sweet sound system. 🔊 Who cares that you only blast Nickelback and Creed? Do you have Hinder’s “Lips of an Angel” on your playlist? Asking for a buttrock-loving friend. 🤘🎸
Are you driving around in a car theft magnet? What you drive and where you live could put you at risk. Let’s take a ride through some recent data, shall we? 🚙
Here’s Five Fast Facts on auto theft and how to protect yourself:
- 🚗 Hefty and Thefty - Between 2019 and 2023, car theft increased by 28%. While that’s nothing to sneeze at, data also shows that this trend may be reversing. In 2024, under a million car thefts were reported, the least in 40 years.
- 🎯 Target Town - Depending on where you live, your risk for car theft may be higher than average. Car thefts are the highest in these states: Washington D.C., California, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada. The good news? In both Colorado and Nevada, car thefts are on a significant decline.
- 🚨 Risky Rides - Which cars get stolen the most? Here are the top five: Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Chevy Silverado 1500, and Kia Soul. Older Hyundais are at risk due to a lack of anti-theft features. Word on the street is that Chevy Silverados are easy to hot wire and their parts fetch a decent value.
- 📈 Rate Risers - Owning a car with a high theft risk could make your insurance pricey. So can living in a high-risk location. Set a reminder on your calendar to check competitor insurance rates before your policy renews. If you’re not getting the best deal, consider switching providers.
- 🔑 Crooks n’ Keys - Fun fact: today car stealing crooks use what’s called a signal repeater. It copies your car’s key fob signal to pop your locks. To stop thieves in their tracks, store your keys in a Faraday Box. Doing so blocks the signal from reaching the bad guys.
🔥Bottom line: Another car theft pro tip: don’t leave any valuables in your ride. If you have to, lock them away in the glove compartment or the trunk. Don’t be an easy target! Is the economy really peachy keen or are there red flags lurking in the shadows? Head here to read up on some warning sign-flavored stats.
Got an auto theft horror story?
Let us know by connecting with us on Facebook and Instagram! Also, remember to share this newsletter with your friends & coworkers!
BTW, If you’ve read this far and haven’t yet signed up for the weekly Paycheckology newsletter, CLICK HERE!
