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Every forty three seconds, a car is stolen in the United States, which is close to a million vehicles per year.

Former car thief Steve Fuller was himself convicted six times for stealing cars. Hundreds of other times, Fuller said, he was able to successfully get away with it.

“I stole cars because I was on drugs, and I needed the money,” Fuller told ABC News’ “20/20.” But once he kicked the habit, he kicked the crime too.

So now, in an effort to attempt to make up for some of the harm he did, Fuller agreed to give up the “trade secrets,” what car thieves know that we don’t. His tips could deter thieves and keep your car safe.

While some advice might seem visible, such as not leaving your car running with the keys in the ignition, Fuller exposed what most car owners don’t know, but car thieves do. By knowing what car owners don’t, thieves can often boost a car in less than ten seconds.

Check out these seven tips that could mean the difference inbetween holding onto your car and having to walk everywhere.

Honda, Toyota, Acura, and General Motors vehicles were some of Fuller’s beloved cars to steal.

“They’re lighter to steal,” Fuller said. “They have good resale value so the parts are in request. It’s as plain as that.”

In fact, the top two most stolen cars in the United States last year were Honda Civics and Honda Accords, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Car thieves avoid cars parked in front of houses and in driveways because they’re too broad open and visible.

Dark secluded locations, such as apartment buildings and complexes, carports, underground parking, and parking garages, can be appealing to car thieves because they can have their pick of vehicles in one location.

“I liked it because it’s quiet. I can hear if somebody was coming,” Fuller said. “All I indeed have to deal with was somebody coming down from their apartment to get in their vehicle, and at that time in the middle of night it’s not usually that often.”

Being quick and inconspicuous is necessary when stealing a car. That’s why car thieves avoid things that may call attention to themselves.

This means stealing cars at a certain time. Fuller said he preferred to come back inbetween two a.m. and five a.m., because most people are asleep. “It’s nice and quiet, less distractions, less people walking around,” he said.

Having a kill switch in your car can also deter thieves. Kill switches disrupt the flow of tens unit at the battery or ignition or disable the fuel pump. If well hidden, kill switches may take a while to deactivate and can deter car thieves who don’t want to waste time and will budge on to another car.

Good alarms with maneuverability sensors, nosy neighbors, and security cameras also deter car thieves, who will simply go to other areas where they can avoid those certain things.

While it might seem like a superb idea to warm your car up in the morning, you might as well put a bow on your car. Car thieves will simply hop in the car, put it in drive, and go.

Police also warn that leaving your keys in your car at a gas station, even while you are pumping gas, is an invitation to have your car stolen.

Think you’ve got a good hiding spot for your spare keys? Car thieves know where to look.

“Glove compartment, center console, door, switch tray, you name it, it’s there. I found it in all those places,” Fuller said.

Fuller said ninety percent of the vehicles he’s stolen came from him just scoping out the vehicle, finding the keys, and taking the vehicle.

Most importantly, Fuller said if he found a key to the car inwards of it, it’s not a felony. “It’s called joyriding. It’s a misdemeanor, and I could take that vehicle, having a key to the vehicle that belongs to that vehicle,” he said. “It’s less risk to me.”

“Well, there are some vehicles that have valet keys. and a lot of people don’t know that they have a valet key inwards their vehicle,” Fuller explained.

Valet keys usually can unlock the driver’s side door and begin the car, but can’t unlock the trunk or the glove box. This key is normally used when someone else operates your vehicle, such as a valet parking attendant. For example, Fuller said the valet key might be found inwards the proprietor’s manual. In some BMW models, the valet key is usually in the car’s contraption kit in the trunk.

While most people don’t know they have a valet key, car thieves do, and they use them to lightly steal and drive away with a car.

Leaving the window open even one inch can be just what it takes for a car thief to lightly steal your car.

Most people believe that they can leave a little air in the car with the windows opened just a crack, but that no one can get in to the vehicle.

To Fuller, a car with window cracked opened was an unlocked car.

“A window that has enough room for me to stick my fingers in, I can get out of its track by rocking it back and forward until I get it out of the track,” Fuller explained.

“Then, I can pry the window out of the track enough to where I can get my arm down in there and unlock the vehicle.”

7 Things Car Thieves Know That You Don t – ABC News

Sections

Yahoo!-ABC News Network | © two thousand seventeen ABC News Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.

• Yahoo!-ABC News Network | © two thousand seventeen ABC News Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.

Every forty three seconds, a car is stolen in the United States, which is close to a million vehicles per year.

Former car thief Steve Fuller was himself convicted six times for stealing cars. Hundreds of other times, Fuller said, he was able to successfully get away with it.

“I stole cars because I was on drugs, and I needed the money,” Fuller told ABC News’ “20/20.” But once he kicked the habit, he kicked the crime too.

So now, in an effort to attempt to make up for some of the harm he did, Fuller agreed to give up the “trade secrets,” what car thieves know that we don’t. His tips could deter thieves and keep your car safe.

While some advice might seem demonstrable, such as not leaving your car running with the keys in the ignition, Fuller exposed what most car owners don’t know, but car thieves do. By knowing what car owners don’t, thieves can often boost a car in less than ten seconds.

Check out these seven tips that could mean the difference inbetween holding onto your car and having to walk everywhere.

Honda, Toyota, Acura, and General Motors vehicles were some of Fuller’s beloved cars to steal.

“They’re lighter to steal,” Fuller said. “They have good resale value so the parts are in request. It’s as plain as that.”

In fact, the top two most stolen cars in the United States last year were Honda Civics and Honda Accords, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Car thieves avoid cars parked in front of houses and in driveways because they’re too broad open and visible.

Dark secluded locations, such as apartment buildings and complexes, carports, underground parking, and parking garages, can be appealing to car thieves because they can have their pick of vehicles in one location.

“I liked it because it’s quiet. I can hear if somebody was coming,” Fuller said. “All I indeed have to deal with was somebody coming down from their apartment to get in their vehicle, and at that time in the middle of night it’s not usually that often.”

Being quick and inconspicuous is necessary when stealing a car. That’s why car thieves avoid things that may call attention to themselves.

This means stealing cars at a certain time. Fuller said he preferred to come back inbetween two a.m. and five a.m., because most people are asleep. “It’s nice and quiet, less distractions, less people walking around,” he said.

Having a kill switch in your car can also deter thieves. Kill switches disrupt the flow of electric current at the battery or ignition or disable the fuel pump. If well hidden, kill switches may take a while to deactivate and can deter car thieves who don’t want to waste time and will stir on to another car.

Good alarms with movement sensors, nosy neighbors, and security cameras also deter car thieves, who will simply go to other areas where they can avoid those certain things.

While it might seem like a excellent idea to warm your car up in the morning, you might as well put a bow on your car. Car thieves will simply hop in the car, put it in drive, and go.

Police also warn that leaving your keys in your car at a gas station, even while you are pumping gas, is an invitation to have your car stolen.

Think you’ve got a good hiding spot for your spare keys? Car thieves know where to look.

“Glove compartment, center console, door, switch tray, you name it, it’s there. I found it in all those places,” Fuller said.

Fuller said ninety percent of the vehicles he’s stolen came from him just scoping out the vehicle, finding the keys, and taking the vehicle.

Most importantly, Fuller said if he found a key to the car inwards of it, it’s not a felony. “It’s called joyriding. It’s a misdemeanor, and I could take that vehicle, having a key to the vehicle that belongs to that vehicle,” he said. “It’s less risk to me.”

“Well, there are some vehicles that have valet keys. and a lot of people don’t know that they have a valet key inwards their vehicle,” Fuller explained.

Valet keys usually can unlock the driver’s side door and begin the car, but can’t unlock the trunk or the glove box. This key is normally used when someone else operates your vehicle, such as a valet parking attendant. For example, Fuller said the valet key might be found inwards the holder’s manual. In some BMW models, the valet key is usually in the car’s instrument kit in the trunk.

While most people don’t know they have a valet key, car thieves do, and they use them to lightly steal and drive away with a car.

Leaving the window open even one inch can be just what it takes for a car thief to lightly steal your car.

Most people believe that they can leave a little air in the car with the windows opened just a crack, but that no one can get in to the vehicle.

To Fuller, a car with window cracked opened was an unlocked car.

“A window that has enough room for me to stick my fingers in, I can get out of its track by rocking it back and forward until I get it out of the track,” Fuller explained.

“Then, I can pry the window out of the track enough to where I can get my arm down in there and unlock the vehicle.”

7 Things Car Thieves Know That You Don t – ABC News

Sections

Yahoo!-ABC News Network | © two thousand seventeen ABC News Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.

• Yahoo!-ABC News Network | © two thousand seventeen ABC News Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.

Every forty three seconds, a car is stolen in the United States, which is close to a million vehicles per year.

Former car thief Steve Fuller was himself convicted six times for stealing cars. Hundreds of other times, Fuller said, he was able to successfully get away with it.

“I stole cars because I was on drugs, and I needed the money,” Fuller told ABC News’ “20/20.” But once he kicked the habit, he kicked the crime too.

So now, in an effort to attempt to make up for some of the harm he did, Fuller agreed to give up the “trade secrets,” what car thieves know that we don’t. His tips could deter thieves and keep your car safe.

While some advice might seem evident, such as not leaving your car running with the keys in the ignition, Fuller exposed what most car owners don’t know, but car thieves do. By knowing what car owners don’t, thieves can often boost a car in less than ten seconds.

Check out these seven tips that could mean the difference inbetween holding onto your car and having to walk everywhere.

Honda, Toyota, Acura, and General Motors vehicles were some of Fuller’s beloved cars to steal.

“They’re lighter to steal,” Fuller said. “They have good resale value so the parts are in request. It’s as elementary as that.”

In fact, the top two most stolen cars in the United States last year were Honda Civics and Honda Accords, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Car thieves avoid cars parked in front of houses and in driveways because they’re too broad open and visible.

Dark secluded locations, such as apartment buildings and complexes, carports, underground parking, and parking garages, can be appealing to car thieves because they can have their pick of vehicles in one location.

“I liked it because it’s quiet. I can hear if somebody was coming,” Fuller said. “All I indeed have to deal with was somebody coming down from their apartment to get in their vehicle, and at that time in the middle of night it’s not usually that often.”

Being quick and inconspicuous is necessary when stealing a car. That’s why car thieves avoid things that may call attention to themselves.

This means stealing cars at a certain time. Fuller said he preferred to come back inbetween two a.m. and five a.m., because most people are asleep. “It’s nice and quiet, less distractions, less people walking around,” he said.

Having a kill switch in your car can also deter thieves. Kill switches disrupt the flow of electro-therapy at the battery or ignition or disable the fuel pump. If well hidden, kill switches may take a while to deactivate and can deter car thieves who don’t want to waste time and will budge on to another car.

Good alarms with mobility sensors, nosy neighbors, and security cameras also deter car thieves, who will simply go to other areas where they can avoid those certain things.

While it might seem like a excellent idea to warm your car up in the morning, you might as well put a bow on your car. Car thieves will simply hop in the car, put it in drive, and go.

Police also warn that leaving your keys in your car at a gas station, even while you are pumping gas, is an invitation to have your car stolen.

Think you’ve got a good hiding spot for your spare keys? Car thieves know where to look.

“Glove compartment, center console, door, switch tray, you name it, it’s there. I found it in all those places,” Fuller said.

Fuller said ninety percent of the vehicles he’s stolen came from him just scoping out the vehicle, finding the keys, and taking the vehicle.

Most importantly, Fuller said if he found a key to the car inwards of it, it’s not a felony. “It’s called joyriding. It’s a misdemeanor, and I could take that vehicle, having a key to the vehicle that belongs to that vehicle,” he said. “It’s less risk to me.”

“Well, there are some vehicles that have valet keys. and a lot of people don’t know that they have a valet key inwards their vehicle,” Fuller explained.

Valet keys usually can unlock the driver’s side door and embark the car, but can’t unlock the trunk or the glove box. This key is normally used when someone else operates your vehicle, such as a valet parking attendant. For example, Fuller said the valet key might be found inwards the possessor’s manual. In some BMW models, the valet key is usually in the car’s device kit in the trunk.

While most people don’t know they have a valet key, car thieves do, and they use them to lightly steal and drive away with a car.

Leaving the window open even one inch can be just what it takes for a car thief to lightly steal your car.

Most people believe that they can leave a little air in the car with the windows opened just a crack, but that no one can get in to the vehicle.

To Fuller, a car with window cracked opened was an unlocked car.

“A window that has enough room for me to stick my fingers in, I can get out of its track by rocking it back and forward until I get it out of the track,” Fuller explained.

“Then, I can pry the window out of the track enough to where I can get my arm down in there and unlock the vehicle.”

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