More than once, The Observer has carried warnings from law enforcement authorities in our coverage area regarding break-ins to and thefts from motor vehicles. The latest comes from Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, citing a recent “dramatic increase” in these crimes throughout that county and noting the need for motorists to start protecting their vehicles – and their identities.
The advice, however, applies to all our readers, including those in Hudson and Bergen counties. No community is immune.
The crimes are occurring not only on local streets, but also in parks and reservations — which are attracting more visitors as the weather warms up.
“Regretfully,” the sheriff noted, “victims have left not only personal valuables in plain sight in their cars but also the type of personal information that makes them vulnerable to identity theft.”
Typical of items left in plain view inside vehicles are wallets, purses, backpacks, cell phones and laptop computers. “These items, along with vehicle registration papers and insurance cards, are what every identity thief covets,” Fontoura said. “Your credit cards, driver’s license, Social Security number and other personal information are the essential information thieves need to create havoc for you via identity theft. They steal your life story then run up extravagant bills in your name or commit crimes, such as fraud, in your name.”
(Also frequently left in sight are iPods in cup holders, GPS systems suctioned onto dashboards and cash on the center console. Even a few dollars or some loose change can attract a thief.)
“The impact of identity theft on its victims can be devastating,” Fontoura continued. “Identity theft causes major issues for the victim, including financial loss, credit problems, benefit losses, legal problems if the thief is arrested and uses your personal information as his own, and the enormous amount of time it takes to fully rectify the damages made to your reputation.”
What can you do?
Employ some common-sense techniques.
“Roll your windows up to the top, lock your doors, park in a well-lit area and remove all valuables,” the sheriff said. “These valuables include cash, electronic equipment, papers with personal identifiers, such as mail and vehicle data.”
Also: “Never leave your garage door opener in the car, as this tool will give the thief access to your home.”
The sheriff noted that trying to hide items inside your vehicle is virtually pointless: “Once inside your car, the thief will go through your glove box and center console, flip over your floor mats and gain access toyour trunk in a matter of seconds.”
To further prevent car break-ins, the sheriff urges that the public be aware of and report to police all suspicious activity, such as persons walking up and down streets or parking lots looking into cars or trying door handles, vehicles cruising parking lots at very slow speeds for extended periods, and persons making any kind of mark or placing anything on parked vehicles.
– Karen Zautyk
