Warning About Car Door Locks

Hole Under Door Lock Wednesday, I approached my truck from the passenger side to place my computer bag (aka my man purse) in the front passenger seat.   As I reached to open the door I noticed there was a hole right under my door handle. My first thought was, “someone has shot my truck !” I began to think about it and inspect it a little closer and the “light” slowly began to come on. I phoned my friend who owns a body shop and asked if he had any vehicles with damage to the doors that looked like a bullet hole. “Yes, I see it all the time. Thieves have a punch and place it right under the door handle, knock a hole through, reach in and unlock it, just as if they have a key. No alarms, broken glass, or anything.” I then placed a call to my insurance agent and explained it to him. I was puzzled that they left my GPS and all other belongings. Here is where it gets scary !   “Oh no, he said, they want the break-in to be so subtle that you don’t even realize it. They look at your GPS to see where “home” is. Or check your address from Insurance and Registration in your glove box. Now, they know what you drive, go to your home, and if your vehicle isn’t there they assume you aren’t and break into your home.”   He said they will even leave a purse or wallet and only take one or two credit cards. By the time you realize there has been a theft, they may have already had a couple of days or more to use them. (I didn’t realize my situation for two full days!)   They even give you the courtesy of re-locking your doors for you.   Periodically, walk around your car, especially after you park in a shopping center or other large parking area. Report thefts immediately….your bank w/missing check numbers, your credit card agencies, police, and insurance companies, etc.   Below is picture of what the hole looks like. Hole Under Door Lock One would have to look pretty darn close to notice a hole like that. If the hole was on the passenger side I would never see.