To avoid this happening to you, follow these steps when you park your car.
- If you have to park on a street, avoid dark or isolated areas.
- In mall parking garages, park near the entrance, areas with plenty of light, and areas where other cars are parked.
- Never leave your car running unattended.
- Never leave your keys in the car ignition. Don’t leave spare keys hidden in your vehicle.
- Never leave valuables out in plain view, even if your car doors are locked. Preferably, leave nothing of value in your car, even in the glove compartment or centre console.
- Invest in installing an alarm, anti-hijacking unit or tracking device.
- Keep only copies of important documents in your vehicle, such as vehicle registration or proof of ownership. Keep originals at home in a safe location.
- If you have an externally mounted spare tyre, secure it with a cable lock.
- Copy your licence plate number and VIN numbers on a card and keep them with your driver’s licence, if your vehicle is stolen, the police will need this information promptly.
- Always physically check that your car is locked before you walk away.
Source: southafrica.usembassy.gov
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