Auto Theft is BIG Business and auto thieves may want YOUR vehicle!

Protect your vehicle the best you can and join the Watch Your Program

Most Commonly Stolen Vehicles…Is Yours One of Them?

Top 10 Most Commonly Stolen Top 10 Most Commonly Stolen Vehicles for 2008 – Nationwide Vehicles for 2008 – Arizona

1. 1994 Honda Accord 1. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup 2. 1995 Honda Civic 2. 1994 Honda Accord 3. 1989 Toyota Camry 3. 1995 Honda Civic 4. 1997 Ford F150 4. 1997 Ford F150 Pickup 5. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup 5. 2003 Ford F250 Pickup 6. 2000 Dodge Caravan 6. 1994 Nissan Sentra 7. 1996 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee 7. 1990 Toyota Camry 8. 1994 Acura Integra 8. 2006 Ford F350 Pickup 9. 1999 Ford Taurus 9. 2000 Chevrolet 4x2 Pickup 10. 2002 Ford Explorer 10. 2004 Chevrolet Ext Cab 4x2 Pickup

Anti-Theft Tips…

Professional thieves can steal any car, but make them work for yours. To prevent thefts, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) recommends “Layered Protection.” The more layers of protection on your vehicle, the more difficult it is to steal.

The number of layers your vehicle needs varies depending on your vehicle and geographic location. Your budget and personal preferences should determine which anti-theft device is best for you.

Layer #1 – Common Sense An unlocked vehicle with a key in the ignition is an open invitation to any thief, regardless of which anti- theft device you use. The common sense approach to protection is the simplest and most cost- effective way to thwart would-be thieves. ¥ Lock your car – half of all vehicles stolen are left unlocked ¥ Take your keys – nearly 20% of all vehicles stolen have the keys in them ¥ Park in well lit areas – car thefts occur at night more than half the time ¥ Do not leave your vehicle running and unattended ¥ Completely close your car windows ¥ Do not leave valuables in plain view ¥ Do not hide a spare set of keys in the car – the pros know where to look ¥ Park with your wheels turned toward the curb ¥ Always use your emergency when parking ¥ If you have a garage, use it – when you do, lock both the vehicle and the garage door

Layer #2 – Warning Device The second layer of protection is a visible or audible device which alerts thieves that your vehicle is protected. Popular second layer devices include:

¥ Audible alarms ¥ locks ¥ Steering column locks ¥ Brake locks ¥ Tire locks ¥ Watch Your Car decals ¥ Identification markers in or on vehicle ¥ Protective Window Laminate ¥ Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etching on vehicle windows Layer #3 -- Immobilizing Device This third layer of protection is a device which prevents thieves from bypassing your ignition and hot- wiring the vehicle. Some electronic devices have computer chips in ignition keys. Other devices inhibit the flow of electricity of fuel to the engine until a hidden switch or button is activated.

Popular third layer devices include:

¥ Smart keys ¥ High security locks & keys ¥ Fuse cut-offs ¥ Kill switches ¥ Starter, ignition and fuel disablers

Layer #4 -- Tracking Device The final layer of protection is a tracking device which emits a signal to a police or monitoring station when the vehicle is reported stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles.

Passive and Active Anti-Theft Systems Passive and active anti-theft devices are the two options available when considering an anti-theft system. Passive devices automatically arm themselves when the vehicle is turned off, the ignition key removed, or a door is shut. No additional action is required. Active devices require some independent physical action before they are set, such as pushing a button, or placing a "lock" over a vehicle component part. This physical action must be repeated every time the anti-theft device is set or it will not function.

Don't Purchase a Stolen Vehicle

¥ Use Common Sense. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is! ¥ Don't meet the seller in an unsafe location. Meet at a permanent location of the seller and avoid situations where you can only meet the seller by pager. ¥ Let the seller know you will not be bringing cash, but will pay by personal or cashier's check if you decide to purchase the vehicle. ¥ Ask the seller for valid picture I.D. and compare the information to the vehicle registration and title. ¥ Be leery of pre-signed ownership documents or sellers who are not both the registered and legal owners. The documents may be forged, or a lender may have a lien that prevents transfer of title. ¥ If the ownership documents are recently issued or duplicate, the vehicle may have changed hands recently or the title lost. Inquire why! ¥ Check the ownership documents for an indication that the vehicle is a salvage and be very cautious if it is. Many salvage vehicles are rebuilt with stolen parts or are unsafe. Also be alert to these issues if any vehicle appears to have been extensively damaged or rebuilt. ¥ Be sure all numbers match. Look at the numbers on both the Vehicle Identification Number plate and the license plate. They should be the same on both the vehicle registration and title. ¥ Before you pay, be sure documentation is adequate to obtain registration and legal title. Check with the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) first if there is any doubt.

Be Careful! Cashier's Checks and Money Orders Are Not Always What They Appear to Be!

Local law enforcement agencies have had numerous cases where counterfeit cashier’s checks and money orders are being used to commit forgeries and/or frauds when purchasing a vehicle.

Here is a scenario that will hopefully prevent you from becoming the next victim:

• The victim (YOU), advertises a car for sale in the local media. The victim is contacted by a suspect over the phone who offers to buy the car for full price and asked the victim for the spelling of his name. The suspect then shows up in an expensive car with other suspects and buys the car with a counterfeit cashiers check or money order. The sale usually occurs after the banks are closed - especially on weekends. • After three days, when the suspects are long gone, the bank notifies the victim (YOU) that the cashier’s check or money order is a fake and the victim is out the money AND the car. The suspect usually sells the car to an innocent third party the same day of the theft.

SELLERS WOULD BE WELL ADVISED NOT TO ACCEPT PAYMENT UNLESS THEY ARE AT A BANK AND THE FUNDS CAN BE VERIFIED!!

Check to see if a car is stolen by going online to http://theftaz.azag.gov and entering the VIN or license plate number. If a stolen vehicle is located in Apache Junction, contact AJPD with information. If outside Apache Junction, contact the relevant police department. A VIN number can also be checked against a national list of unrecovered stolen vehicles at www.NICB.org.