With National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month ending at the end of July, the U.S. Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to be vigilant year-round. Vehicle theft causes more than $8 billion in losses in the United States each year. More than 1 million vehicles will be stolen in 2023, a 25% increase over previous years, representing one stolen vehicle every 31 seconds. Big data predicts this rate will continue to rise in the future. Although Flipper Zero (the most famous pinball machine on social media) has been deemed illegal by the government, it has been taken down by Amazon, and is banned in Canada. What else can we do to protect ourselves?

Today, our article will offer five anti-theft methods and tips, mainly related to car cameras.

Eight reasons for car theft

The problem of car theft has been on the rise. Understanding its causes is crucial to solving the problem. Here are eight key factors, which I've summarized, contributing to this disturbing trend:

1. Economic factors: When the economy is unstable, unemployment rates rise, or the economy enters a recession, some people's financial situation deteriorates, employment opportunities decrease, and life pressures increase. This can lead some people to turn to car theft as a way to obtain financial benefits for survival or to meet other needs.
2. Technological advancements: As technology advances, while the electronic systems and anti-theft technologies of modern cars are constantly improving, criminals are also constantly exploring and exploiting these technologies. Some high-end cars, due to the extremely high value of their components, have become highly coveted by criminals and, as a result, prime targets for theft.
3. Social media and online platforms: The current popularity of social media and online platforms provides convenience for criminals. They can use these platforms to exchange theft techniques, share information about potential targets, and even openly sell stolen vehicles or components, making thefts more hidden and difficult to track.
4. Urban planning and security issues: In some areas, security management is relatively weak, with insufficient surveillance coverage, and the safety of parking lots and streets not guaranteed. The lack of effective patrols and surveillance creates a favorable environment for theft, allowing criminals to easily commit thefts without timely detection.
5. Drug Problems: Drug abuse is a serious problem. Some drug users take risks and engage in criminal activities, including car theft, to obtain funds. The addictive nature of drugs means they will stop at nothing to satisfy their addiction.
6. Demand in the Used Car Market: Demand for used cars is constantly growing, especially for certain popular models and brands. This, to some extent, stimulates criminal activity. The high profits generated by this high demand give criminals the opportunity to exploit this.
7. Legal and enforcement efforts: If the penalties for car theft are not strict enough, they cannot serve as an effective deterrent. At the same time, law enforcement agencies may face challenges such as insufficient resources, uneven police force distribution, or outdated technical means of combating car theft, resulting in insufficient action to combat car theft crimes.
8. Changes in the social environment: For example, increased population mobility makes the composition of community members more complex, and intimacy and trust between them decrease. Decreased social cohesion also makes it easier for criminals to hide and avoid surveillance, increasing the possibility of theft.

Anti-theft devices

Once we understand the causes, we should properly recognize that many factors are beyond our control. The only things we can do are prevention and preserving evidence as much as possible. Therefore, from this perspective, I will mainly present three effective methods to prevent your car from being stolen right now.

Choose a dash cam with parking mode

A dashcam (like the Aoocci V30) with parking mode plays a crucial role when a vehicle is parked. It can continuously monitor the vehicle 24/7. This means that both malicious scratches by others and attempted theft can be effectively prevented. Even if these unfortunate situations do occur, the video evidence provided by the dashcam is highly convincing and can significantly assist the car owner in pursuing appropriate liability claims.

Especially if the vehicle experiences an unusual impact or strong vibrations while parking, the recorder will quickly wake up and record video or photos in time, clearly documenting the specific situation around the vehicle at that time. Like a black box in an airplane, it provides crucial information in the event of an accident. For example, after a road accident or other unforeseen circumstances, these recordings can provide important and reliable evidence for police investigations and for insurance companies to process claims.

Choose a discreet dash cam

When it comes to securing the safety of your vehicle, choosing a discreet dash cam is a wise decision.

A stealth dashcam (like our Aoocci V30) can effectively reduce the likelihood of being detected by criminals while on the move, significantly minimizing the possibility of them deliberately damaging or evading the recording device. This is especially crucial in the event of a vehicle theft, as tracking via the dashcam's built-in GPS can significantly increase the speed and success rate of vehicle recovery.

Due to its excellent concealment, recorded evidence can be better preserved. It is difficult for criminals to know and destroy this evidence in advance, which significantly increases the credibility and integrity of evidence and provides strong support for subsequent investigations and proceedings.

Potential criminals tend to overlook a discreet dashcam, which can make them more ruthless in their thefts. However, it also means their illegal acts are more likely to be fully and clearly recorded, providing undeniable evidence.

Even if criminals do not discover the dashcam and only become aware of the possibility of a surveillance device, this uncertainty will also have some psychological deterrent effect on them, thereby reducing the likelihood of theft to some extent.

Additionally, choosing a relatively inexpensive discreet dash cam has another practical benefit. In the event that your vehicle is unfortunately stolen and your dash cam goes missing with it, the relatively low cost can also reduce your financial loss. Overall, a discreet dash cam can play an important role in both preventing vehicle theft and preserving evidence.

Practical anti-theft measures

When it comes to protecting our vehicles and ensuring their safety, practical measures are essential. These simple yet effective steps can significantly reduce the risk of theft and damage, providing us with peace of mind.

1. Park your car in a well-lit and busy area. Choose parking spaces under bright streetlights or in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic. This makes it less attractive for thieves to target your vehicle because they are more likely to be spotted.
2. Don't leave valuables visible inside your car. Remove all valuables, including electronics, bags, and cash. Even small items that may seem insignificant can be tempting to a thief.
3. Have your vehicle's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) engraved on your windows. This marking makes it harder for thieves to sell a stolen vehicle and increases the chances of recovering it.
4. Join the Neighborhood Watch program. Stay connected with your neighbors and be alert for any suspicious activity around parked cars.

Always lock your car doors and all windows. Make it a habit to double-check that all doors and windows are securely locked before leaving your vehicle. This simple step can prevent occasional thieves from gaining access to your car.

Summary

Car theft is a serious and increasingly serious problem. However, by adopting the methods mentioned above, such as choosing the right dashcam and taking practical safety measures, we can significantly reduce the risk of car theft and provide ourselves with strong evidence and protection in the event of a mishap.

We hope that everyone can prioritize car safety, allowing our journeys to be more relaxed and worry-free. May every journey be safe and smooth, and may our beloved cars always be by our side.