THE FACTS ARE

• There were 1,226,457 vehicles stolen in the United States according to the latest
  information from the FBI Uniform Crime Reports
• Nationally, a vehicle theft occurred every 27 seconds; that's two vehicles
  every minute
• 95% of stolen cars use NO anti-theft device
• Approximately 25 to 40% of the cost of auto insurance is due to auto theft

ALWAYS

• Close all windows; secure and lock your vehicle
• Take the key with you and never leave a vehicle running (it's against state law)
• Do not hide spare keys in or under the vehicle as they can be easily found
• Take the registration card with you so thieves will be unable to
  provide legitimate documents when stopped by Police
• Park with your wheels turned toward the curb so that the vehicle may not be
  easily moved
• Take valuables with you or remove them from view by securing them in the trunk
• Park in busy and well-lit areas

IN A PARKING FACILITY

• Remove valuables from view and secure them in the trunk
• If you must leave a key with a facility attendant, leave only the most essential key
• Take your parking stub with you
• Avoid leaving your vehicle in public parking facilities for extended periods of time

SECURITY YOU CAN ADD

Steering Wheel Locking Device
Installing a steering wheel locking device, such as the Club™* (www.theclub.com),
makes it more difficult for thieves to operate your vehicle or steal your airbag
Ignition Interrupter
Installing an ignition interrupter, such as the Ravelco™* anti-theft device
(www.neverstolen.com), makes it more difficult for a thief to start your vehicle
Alarm
While a vehicle alarm in and of itself is not the most effective anti-theft device, when used in
combination with other devices, it may draw attention to any attempts to break into or steal
your vehicle
Registration Plate Locks
Installing registration plate locks, such as a LockUM™* License Plate Locking System
(www.lockum.com), can help prevent the theft of your vehicle registration plates and
validation tabs
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Window Etching
Etching your VIN into your vehicle's windows, using products such as Mark-N-Gard™* VIN
Etching (www.markngard.com), helps prevent the theft of your vehicle by making it costly
for thieves to attempt to renumber
Maryland's "Watch Your Car" Program
If your vehicle is registered in the State of Maryland and not normally operated between
1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., you can also register it with the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention
Council's "Watch Your Car" program (www.mdautotheft.org) - Contact the University
of Maryland Department of Public Safety for more information
Locking Gas Cap
A locking gas cap makes it more difficult for thieves to add fuel in the event that your vehicle
is stolen
Tracking Device
Installing a tracking device, such as LoJack™* (www.lojack.com), can possibly allow
Police to track and recover your vehicle much more quickly if it is stolen


*The University of Maryland and the Department of Public Safety does not endorse these specific
anti-theft devices, but does endorse utilizing a layered approach to reducing the opportunity of
vehicle-related theft.

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