Dear Leonard: Car Theft Protection in Mall Parking Lot

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Dear Leonard: Car Theft Protection in Mall Parking Lot

My last trip to the mall was a harrowing experience. I made one trip from the mall to my car and placed my purchases on the back seat. I locked the car and returned to the mall to buy some additional items. When returning to my car I noticed two juveniles testing the door handles. I did not approach my car but I did tell a male passerby that it looked like someone was trying to break into my car. He saw what was happening and approached the car bellowing “What are you doing! That’s my car!” That frightened the kids and they ran away. Do you have any suggestions as to how I may protect myself in the future? — RSA, Gaithersburg, MD

Dear RSA — You could have become part of a theft statistic but you did not. Why? You acted wisely. You did not try to prevent the attempted theft by yourself. Your Good Samaritan passerby could have put himself in danger if the youths had a gun. It is safer and more prudent to immediately return to the mall and contact SECURITY. They’re trained to handle such situations.

Here are simple rules to protect yourself, and make it difficult for thieves.

Keep your car doors locked and windows closed when leaving your car.
Never leave your car running unattended.
When shopping in a mall, try to park as close to an entrance as you possibly can.
Place all newly purchased packages in the trunk.
Use visible anti-theft devices like steering wheel bars.
Forget about hiding a spare key. Police say that car thieves can easily find the spare key you think you’ve hidden.
Don’t give car thieves legitimate documents that they can show to police if stopped. It’s wise to remove all registration and identification from your glove box!

Leonard Burchman is president of Voice of the Elderly (VOTE), a private, non-profit organization that works to protect seniors from scams.

December 2003