We all know some basic facts about how to prevent car break-ins.   Covering up valuables when you park is the big one, and chances are you already do this... at least, most of the time, right?

What about when you're dashing into a convenience store for coffee, or loading your car in the driveway shortly before leaving for work?

 

It's easy to be lulled into a false sense of security when we're only gone for short periods of time, but it takes just 15 seconds for someone to smash your car window, grab what's in sight, rummage through the glove box, and flee the scene.

Think of it like this: By the time you've decided which coffee flavor to go for, your laptop could be gone! (And no, many factory car alarms will not be triggered if just the side window is broken.) So remember, always cover up your valuables, even if you're only leaving your car for a few minutes.

Tip: Keep some extra jackets or an old blanket in the back seat of your car so that you always have something to throw over your laptop bag, purse, or expensive sports equipment. It's by no means a foolproof measure, but it's easy to do, and every bit helps.

Stashing items in the trunk of your car is another option for keeping them out of sight. If your vehicle is an SUV style with an open cargo area, consider installing a sliding cargo cover.

 

GPS units, laptops, purses, iPods, after-market sound systems, CD collections, cell phones, tools, sports equipment, and even sunglasses are all items that trigger car invasions.

GPS systems are some of the hottest items, so if you own the type that is mounted to the window with a suction cup device be sure to remove the holder as well as the actual GPS unit when you leave your car.

By the same token, hide iPod adapters and even chargers - anything that could let a car prowler know that you own a valuable item. If you have an after-market sound system, try to get one with a detachable faceplate.

 

Experts say that you should cover up valuables when you first put them in the car, not when you park at your next location, because car prowlers often wait at parking areas to see if people hide items in the back seat area. They also know that when you park somewhere to go for a jog you're likely to leave a wallet or purse behind.

Tip: Do you often leave a bag in the car that contains inexpensive items, such as gym clothes or kids' toys? If you know you won't always go to the trouble of hiding them, leave low-value bags open so that anyone peering through the window can plainly see that there's nothing worth breaking in for.

 

 

 

As you return to your parked car you wonder how you could have forgotten to close the side window... then you see the broken glass on the ground. It's a horrible feeling, but it can be made more bearable if you took some precautions beforehand.

 

Know what your credit card numbers are, which phone numbers you'll need to immediately call to report each card stolen, and how to log in to your online accounts to change passwords if you need to.  That means writing down the information now if you have not done so already, and keeping it in a safe place away from your vehicle!

 

The first thing the police will ask you when you report a stolen laptop is whether or not you know the serial number. If you do, there's a much better chance that they'll be able to track it down at a pawn shop. This also helps you prove that you are the rightful owner if you see it for sale on eBay or Craigslist.

Tip: If you haven't already written down the serial numbers of all of the computers that you own, do it today!

Tip: LoJack is a service that can track down your stolen laptop by detecting when it connects to the Internet. LoJack software costs $40 to $60 to download, and the Premium edition also lets you erase data from your hard drive remotely. Here's the link: www.LoJackforLaptops.com.

 

Does your laptop automatically log you in to Facebook or an email account when you connect online? As convenient as this is, think twice before you set your computer preferences to remember your passwords. Most thieves are just interested in getting your laptop to a pawn shop as quickly as possible, but why take the chance of ending up at the mercy of someone who might be a bit more malicious?

 

Do you make back-ups of the data that's on your laptop? These days it's very easy. Mozy.com is a popular online service that lets you schedule remote back-ups, and hosts your data for a small monthly fee. No matter where you are in the world, you'll be able to access it. Here's the link: www.Mozy.com.

Tip: Back up your iTunes library, especially if you're like many people who have downloaded hundreds or even thousands of songs. At nearly a dollar per song, losing a laptop can mean thousands of dollars worth of lost music, not to mention the time it takes to download it all again.

 

Of course the number you're supposed to call in the case of a stolen credit card is on the back of your credit card, but where do you find that number after your card has been stolen? The last thing you want to deal with is trying to find an old statement or needing to go online for the contact information.

If you haven't done so already, take a few moments now to go through your wallet and write down the credit card and customer service numbers. Leave this information in a secure place away from your vehicle where you can access it easily.

 

 
Backing Up Your SIM Card

Phones are replaceable, but the years' worth of other peoples' contact information stored on your phone's SIM card may not be! Back up your cell phone address book information so that you don't lose those contacts if your phone is stolen. (If you haven't done this yet, consider setting aside 15 minutes to do it today.)

Tip: If you own an iPhone or iPad, enable the 'Find my Phone' feature in the MobileMe settings. This also allows you to remotely lock the phone, and even to clear its contents completely.

 

Tips are only helpful when you're likely to put them into practice, and the fact is that most of us will make some compromise between being reasonably careful and not having to feel like we're living in George Orwell's 1984.

For example, some security experts recommend that you never leave your car registration or garage door opener in the vehicle because a thief can find out your address and use the opener to gain access to your home.

This makes sense, but how many of us are going to actually remove those items every time we leave our cars? (Murphy's Law clearly states that the first time we need our registration we'll have left it at home.)

A happy medium might be to at least make them harder to find during a quick break-in. It's not much of a hassle to keep car registration and insurance cards in a plastic sandwich bag underneath a floor mat rather than in the glove compartment, and tucking the garage door opener underneath a seat when you leave the car is at least less obvious than leaving it hanging from a window visor. A thief who has enough time will still find them, but the standard 'smash and grab' car prowler probably will not.

 

 

A little planning beforehand makes you much less likely to become a victim, and can keep you protected even if you do someday have to deal with a car break-in. So remember, pay attention to the little things, and please stay safe out there!