Scam Alert: Thieves Shifting from Locker rooms To Parking Lots
According to Sid Kirchheimer (author of “Scam-Proof Your Life) thieves are targeting cars parked at gyms, soccer fields, parks and other recreational facilities to steal the credit cards of the folks (like me
) that leave their wallets, hand bags or back packs locked in the car because they don’t want to carry it with them.
These thieves are pretty smart, they break in the car and just slip out a credit card or two so you won’t notice anything amiss when you jump back in the car to take off to the next event. The thieves immediately run out and buy high-end electronics to resell, or store gift cards that are difficult to track.
Sid suggest that for your protection:
- Don’t keep valuables in your car
- If you do, don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by throwing a jacket or towel over them. {OMG this is what I do. If they can’t see it, then no one will take it, right?}
- When you get a new credit card, write “Ask for ID” instead of your signature on the back.
I know from owning a repair shop, that with the right tools it takes just seconds to open a car door.
Now I also know not to leave my backpack in the car because I don’t feel like carrying it around.