Wednesday, I approached my car from the passenger side to place
my computer bag in the front passenger seat.
As I reached to open the door I noticed there was a hole right
under my door handle.
My first thought was, "someone has shot the car !"
I began to think about it and inspect it a little closer and
the "light" slowly began to dawn.
I phoned a friend who owns a body shop and asked if he had any
vehicles with damage to the doors that looked like a bullet hole.
"Yes, I see it all the time. Thieves have a punch and place it
right under the door handle, knock a hole through, reach in and
unlock it, just as if they have a key. No alarms, broken glass,
or anything."
I then placed a call to my insurance agent and explained it to
him. I was puzzled that they left my GPS and all other belongings.
Here is where it gets scary !
"Oh no, he said, they want the break-in to be so subtle that you
don't even realize it. They look at your GPS to see where "home"
is. Or check your address from Insurance and Registration documants in your glove box. Now they know what you drive, go to your home, and if your
vehicle isn't there they assume you aren't, and break into your home."
He said they will even leave a purse or wallet and only take one
or two credit cards. By the time you realize there has been a
theft, they may have already had a couple of days or more to
use them.
(I didn't realize my situation for two full days!)
They even give you the courtesy of re-locking your doors for you.
Periodically, walk around your car, especially after you park
in a shopping center or other large parking area.
Report thefts immediately....your bank w/missing check numbers,
your credit card agencies, police, and insurance companies, etc.
Below is picture of what the hole looks like.
I sincerely hope this warning, which was sent to me by a fellow Tea Party member, will help protect some of you. It is recommended you share it, too.