How do I open a locked door with a small hole?
Thieves are breaking into cars by punching a small hole under the door lock, according to a circulating message.According to the message, instead of stealing all valuable items from the vehicle, they find out the owner's home address via a gps or documents left in the car and then steal it.
One method that thieves use to get into cars is by punching a hole in the door lock.Canny criminals could use the car break-in method described to harvest personal information from documents and devices left in a car and later use it to steal the owner's identity and find out where the person lives.The scenario described would seem to be a rather convoluted and inefficient method for house thieves to choose suitable targets.Important documents should not be left in unattended cars.It is worth checking the car's locks on a regular basis.
There was a hole under my door handle as I tried to open it.My first thought was that someone had shot the car and I began to think about it and inspect it a little closer.
I phoned a friend who owns a body shop and asked if he had any vehicles with damage to the doors that looked like they had been hit by a bullet.I see it all the time.Thieves place a punch under the door handle and then use a key to open it.There were no alarms, broken glass or anything.
I explained the situation to my insurance agent.I was confused that they didn't leave my belongings.It gets scary here.He said that they want the break-in to be subtle.They look at your gps to see where you are.Insurance and registration documents can be found in your glove box.If you don't have a vehicle at your home, they assume you are and break into it.
He said they will only take one or two credit cards and leave a purse or wallet.They may have had a couple of days to use them after a theft.I didn't realize my situation for two days.They will re-lock your doors for you.
You should walk around your car after parking in a shopping centre or other large parking area.Your bank, credit card agencies, police, and insurance companies should all report thefts immediately.
It would take a very close look to see a hole like that.I wouldn't see the hole if it was on the passenger side.
This message, which has been circulating via email and social media for several years, describes a method of breaking into cars that involves punching a small hole near the car's door lock.
Thieves may be able to find out where the car owner lives if they break into the vehicle in the way described.The message suggests that car owners may not be aware that a vehicle has been broken into because the hole is small.If you don't have a car, criminals can break in and burgle your house, warns the message.There is a car break-in technique described.Thieves can get into cars by punching a small hole under or on top of the lock.It is also true that victims may not be aware that the car has been accessed.
A September 2006 article in The Telegraph discusses a number of break-ins.
A sharp object penetrated the door metal and hit the lock mechanism.The person would call attention to themselves if they were to slip inside the vehicle and not have to break a window.
The owners may not realize they are victims until they notice items missing from the car or items that were moved.The intruders usually leave a small puncture hole under the lock on the driver's side door.
Cynthia Whittaker was surprised to find her credit cards were stolen and big bills were not evidence of the crime.The way in which the cards were taken was unusual.
Whittaker and her friend took an early evening walk at Spencer Smith Park, which led to the theft of her Grand Am.She noticed a small drill hole on her vehicle.
Whittaker said that when he looked at the car, he wouldn't know it was broken into.They bypassed security by opening the driver's side of the car.There was no damage to the trunk and the car was locked.I thought someone was chasing them.
The method in which the car door lock is punched out is similar to that used by thieves.
Thieves could use the break-in technique described to access personal information that could be used to steal the car owner's identity.Because the break-in may go undetected for a while, victims may not realize that important documents have been stolen.A collection of documents, letters, invoices and the like, some of which might be very valuable to potential identity thieves, are often stored in car glove boxes and consoles.
A June 2013 NBC Miami news report describes a case in which thieves broke into a man's car using a hole punch technique, but did not take any valuable items left in the car.Thieves may have been after documents in the car that could be used for identity theft, according to the owner and police.The report has notes.
After he noticed the thieves left his windows down, Hamilton Barbosa noticed a small hole above his door lock.He left an ipod, gps, and a radar detector in the car.They were clearly after something, but nothing was taken.
They went through the glove compartment, the trunk and the first aid kit.He said that they were looking for something.
Bardosa leaves his insurance card and vehicle registration in the car.Police say those are important pieces of information.
It is possible for criminals to find out where the car owner lives by looking at documents or using a gps device.If your car wasn't there, thieves could go to your home and break in.
That particular scenario seems rather unlikely.A criminal wouldn't know if your car was in the garage or not if they drove by.Other residents of the house might still be at home even if you were out in the car.In a typical one-car family, you might be at home while another family member is in the car.The car break-in method described to choose houses to burgle doesn't seem to have any particular advantage unless criminals are specifically targeting an individual.Thieves could watch a house and wait until the residents left and the house was quiet.The criminals could follow a potential target home, taking note of the car's make and model.They wouldn't need to break into the target's vehicle to have the same information.
I have not seen any credible reports that suggest that the crimes described in the warning have actually occurred.
The majority of car break-ins, regardless of the method used, are motivated by the criminal's desire to immediately steal valuable items in the car.
Car owners should make sure that their valuable items are not left unattended even when the car is locked.There are documents that can be used for identity theft and should not be left in unattended vehicles.It's worth listening to the advice to periodically walk around your car and check for lock tampering.