Discovering your car has been stolen is a stressful experience. Unfortunately, car theft is a prevalent issue globally. The State of Global Safety and Security survey indicates that a significant percentage of individuals have faced vehicle theft, highlighting the importance of knowing how to react and take action.
Without proper preventative measures, vehicles are vulnerable to theft. This guide from cars.edu.vn, your trusted automotive expert, outlines effective strategies on How To Find A Stolen Car and the crucial steps to take immediately after realizing your vehicle is missing.
Is There a Way to Track a Stolen Car? Yes, Here Are 5 Methods
Fortunately, there are several avenues to explore when attempting to locate your stolen vehicle. Here are five key methods to consider:
- Report the License Plate to the Police: Immediately inform law enforcement with your vehicle’s license plate number.
- Check the VIN Maintenance Log: Review the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) maintenance history for any recent, possibly unauthorized activity.
- Utilize a Pre-installed Bluetooth Tracking System: If your car has Bluetooth connectivity, attempt to connect to it to gauge proximity.
- Employ a Pre-installed GPS Tracker: Leverage built-in GPS tracking systems for real-time location updates.
- Consider Devices Left Inside (Find My iPhone, AirTags): If you left devices like phones or AirTags in your car, these can offer location clues.
Let’s delve into each of these methods in detail.
1. Leverage the VIN to Find a Stolen Car
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique identifier for your car. If a thief attempts to have legitimate maintenance or repairs done on your stolen vehicle, they will likely need to provide the VIN. By obtaining your car’s VIN history report, you might uncover recent activity linked to the theft. Share this information with the police to aid their investigation.
2. Utilizing License Plate Numbers in Stolen Car Recovery
When you report your car as stolen, providing the license plate number, along with the make and model, is crucial. Police dispatch this information to patrol units and integrates it into surveillance camera systems. This broadens the search network, enabling law enforcement to identify your vehicle if it’s spotted by officers or traffic cameras.
3. Bluetooth Tracking for Stolen Vehicle Location: Limitations & Possibilities
If your car has Bluetooth and was connected to your phone, attempting to connect again can be a quick check. If a connection is established, it suggests your car might be within Bluetooth range. However, Bluetooth’s limited range and the ease with which thieves can disable it make it a less reliable primary tracking method. Bluetooth car trackers are available, but their short-range functionality makes them less effective for stolen vehicle recovery compared to other technologies.
4. GPS Trackers: A Powerful Tool to Locate a Stolen Car
Modern vehicles increasingly come equipped with integrated GPS tracking systems that connect to satellite networks. When paired with a smartphone app, these systems offer real-time vehicle location monitoring. This built-in technology significantly enhances the chances of recovering a stolen car.
For older cars without factory-installed GPS, aftermarket GPS trackers can be installed. These devices are typically discreetly mounted, often underneath the car or in the trunk, and also connect to user-friendly apps for tracking purposes.
Wondering if your car has a GPS tracker? Here’s how to check:
While most new cars have integrated GPS, if you’re uncertain or suspect you’re being tracked without your knowledge, conduct these checks:
- Inspect the Head Unit/Touchscreen: Look for a pre-installed maps or navigation app. If present and functional, it likely indicates a GPS tracker.
- Undercarriage and Wheel Inspection: Use a flashlight to examine underneath the car, including the wheels and rims, for any attached devices.
- Engine Bay Check: Inspect under the hood, particularly around the battery area, for any unusual components.
- Interior and Trunk Search: Thoroughly search the car’s interior, under all seats, and inside the trunk for any hidden devices.
- USB and Data Port Examination: Feel around USB or data ports for any unfamiliar devices that might be trackers.
How Effective are Airtags in Tracking Stolen Cars?
While Apple AirTags are designed for locating personal items like keys or wallets, they are not specifically intended or optimized for tracking stolen vehicles. However, if you happen to have an AirTag or a device with location services like Find My iPhone left in your car at the time of theft, it might provide a location.
It’s important to note the limitations: AirTags have a limited range (around 100 meters), and their location updates for fast-moving objects like cars can be unreliable and delayed. Therefore, relying solely on Airtags for stolen vehicle recovery is not recommended as a primary strategy.
Finding a Stolen Car Without Tracking Technology: Alternative Approaches
If your car lacks pre-installed tracking systems or you didn’t leave a personal tracking device inside, recovering your stolen vehicle becomes more reliant on police investigation and community awareness. Here are steps you can take:
a) File a Police Report Immediately: Contact your local police department to officially report the car theft.
b) Provide Comprehensive Vehicle Details: Give the police all necessary information, including VIN, license plate, make, model, color, and any unique features, along with the last known location of the vehicle.
c) Online VIN Search: Regularly check online VIN lookup services to see if there’s any record of recent service or activity associated with your VIN since the theft.
d) Distribute Flyers and Posters: Create and distribute posters with your car’s details and license plate in your local area, asking for information.
e) Social Media Campaign: Post about your stolen car on social media platforms, including photos and license plate details, asking your network to share and be vigilant.
f) Offer a Reward: Consider offering a cash reward for information leading to the recovery of your vehicle to incentivize community assistance.
Car Just Stolen? 3 Immediate Actions to Take
Discovering your car is stolen can trigger panic, but swift, informed action is crucial. Here are three essential steps to take right away:
1. Verify the Theft: Rule Out Other Possibilities
Before assuming theft, ensure your car wasn’t simply relocated or borrowed without your knowledge. It might have been towed for parking violations or taken by a family member with access to the keys.
First, contact family members or anyone else who might have used the car to confirm it wasn’t borrowed or moved.
Once you’ve confirmed the car is indeed stolen, your immediate next step is to contact the police. Time is critical in stolen vehicle cases. Familiarize yourself with the process of how to report a stolen car to the police to act efficiently.
2. Check for Tracking Options: Digital and Device-Based
After reporting the theft, explore all potential tracking avenues. Check for built-in GPS systems or aftermarket trackers you may have installed. If you suspect a device with location services was left in the car, such as a smartphone, immediately check “Find My iPhone” or similar services from another device or computer.
Location tracking apps like AlfredCircle can also be invaluable if installed on a device left in the car. AlfredCircle provides real-time location tracking of the device, and consequently, the vehicle it’s in, provided the app is active.
Are there apps specifically designed to track cars?
Yes, numerous aftermarket GPS tracker brands offer accompanying apps. These apps provide features like instant notifications when the car is moved or exceeds preset speed limits, enhancing vehicle security and recovery potential.
Alternatively, if a device with AlfredCircle is in the car, any member of your Circle can track the vehicle’s location in real-time. Share this information instantly with the police to support their investigation.
3. Review Camera Footage: CCTV and Security Systems
Many parking facilities utilize CCTV surveillance. Contact the parking management immediately to inquire about reviewing footage that might have captured the theft. In many jurisdictions, you have the right to request CCTV footage of yourself in public areas.
Extend your CCTV footage request to nearby businesses with surveillance cameras if your car was parked in the vicinity. While they may not be obligated to share footage with you directly, the police have the authority to request CCTV footage without delay as part of their investigation.
If the theft occurred from your home, review your home security camera footage, including garage and porch cameras. Even a smartphone acting as a security camera pointed towards your driveway can provide crucial evidence.
Credit: Kevinz Gaming
*Pro Tip: Many AlfredCamera users repurpose old smartphones as security cameras, positioning them to monitor their vehicles and driveways continuously. Motion detection features provide instant alerts of any suspicious activity, potentially catching attempted theft before it even occurs.
Download AlfredCamera for free from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Car Theft FAQs: Addressing Common Concerns
We’ve compiled answers to frequently asked questions about car theft and vehicle security to provide further clarity.
1. How do car thieves track vehicles?
Thieves often use simple methods like noting license plates. Unique cosmetic features can also make a car recognizable. However, visibly damaged vehicles are generally less appealing targets.
More sophisticated thieves may employ GPS trackers, so it’s wise to inspect both the interior and exterior of your car, including underneath and under the hood, if you suspect tracking.
2. Do car thieves install trackers on cars?
It’s uncommon for thieves to install trackers unless targeting high-value or particularly desirable vehicles, such as luxury or vintage cars intended for overseas resale. However, reports suggest inexpensive trackers like Apple AirTags are sometimes used for monitoring vehicles.
3. Which cars are most likely to be tracked by thieves?
Expensive and sought-after cars are the primary targets for tracking by thieves. This includes luxury brands like Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz, as well as classic cars, as tracking facilitates easier shipping and resale in international markets.
However, the most frequently stolen vehicles are often more mainstream models. In the US, Chevrolet and Ford pickup trucks, along with popular family cars from Toyota and Hyundai, are commonly targeted for theft.
4. What do car thieves typically steal?
Increasingly, car thieves are targeting parts from newer car models rather than the entire vehicle. Precious metals in components like catalytic converters make them valuable and easier to steal discreetly.
Opportunistic thieves often target easily accessible vehicles, which tend to be common models like Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda hybrid family cars. More experienced thieves may focus on luxury SUVs from brands like Land Rover for higher profit potential.
5. What happens to stolen cars after theft?
Opportunistic thieves may steal cars for joyriding or temporary use before abandoning them, or they might sell them illegally for quick cash. Cars stolen for international resale are typically targeted by organized thieves who focus on specific models and may use trackers to monitor the vehicle, especially if it’s intended for overseas shipment. Vehicles intended for resale are often altered to obscure their origin and make tracing more difficult.
6. How quickly can a stolen car be recovered?
The recovery timeframe for stolen cars varies. “Joyride” thefts and those committed by less experienced thieves or under the influence are often resolved faster. However, unfortunately, some stolen cars are never recovered.
Statistically, if a stolen car is not recovered within the first 30 days after being reported, the chances of recovery significantly decrease. Thieves frequently change license plates illegally to facilitate resale, making identification and recovery extremely challenging.
Conclusion: Recovering from Car Theft
Experiencing car theft is undoubtedly distressing. While car theft rates have unfortunately increased recently, the positive news is that vehicle theft has a higher recovery rate compared to other types of property theft in the US. Over half of stolen cars were recovered by law enforcement in 2020.
Implementing preventative measures like security cameras, car alarms, and maintaining up-to-date registration and license plates significantly reduces the risk of permanent vehicle loss. However, if you do become a victim of car theft, acting swiftly by reporting it to the police immediately is paramount. Learn the precise steps on how to report a stolen car to the police to be prepared.
Further Reading for Enhanced Vehicle Security:
Protect Your Vehicle From Auto Theft with These 6 Car Security Tips
Keep Your Vehicle Safe With These Top 5 Security Cameras For Cars
Keeping A Car Outside Vs Garage: Which Is Best
8 Best and Worst Places to Hide Your Spare Car Keys
Another Car Blocking Your Driveway? Here’s What To Do
