Canadian Hummer Club Forums

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. 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.

It could also be they were not able to unlock the truck through that hole or were interupted; that is a lot of effort just to find out where you live, a thief could just as easily (well, more easily) scope a house out and wait for somebody to leave to get the same information.



If had have a garage for instance, that information would be useless to them... they would never know if you were home or not if you park in the garage!

I mentioned the GPS thing before,



DO NOT USE YOUR HOUSE AS HOME, for exactly this reason. you know wher you live so make it somewhere at least a block away.



the other thing to be aware of is that if they have your house address, they have probably cloned your garage door opener. and may just pop by while your at work.....



LOCK THE DOOR FROM THE HOUSE TO THE GARAGE EVERYTIME YOU LEAVE!



if your house is older and you have a keypad for your garage, have a look and see if the numbers are faded on the buttons you have set as your code. it doesnt take long to do the combination until it opens, if you dont believe me then bet your buddy a case of beer and have it ready!

[quote name='martdedub' timestamp='1320347294' post='32167']

I mentioned the GPS thing before,



DO NOT USE YOUR HOUSE AS HOME, for exactly this reason. you know wher you live so make it somewhere at least a block away.



the other thing to be aware of is that if they have your house address, they have probably cloned your garage door opener. and may just pop by while your at work.....



LOCK THE DOOR FROM THE HOUSE TO THE GARAGE EVERYTIME YOU LEAVE!



if your house is older and you have a keypad for your garage, have a look and see if the numbers are faded on the buttons you have set as your code. it doesnt take long to do the combination until it opens, if you dont believe me then bet your buddy a case of beer and have it ready!

[/quote]



I agree, the GPS location thing is a very big deal these days. I mean the first thing people do is program "Home" into one when they get it. There are many articles written about this. One important thing is to never leave your GPS visible, and even remove the windshield mount if you can. These units are very high on the theft list these days, let alone the info programmed into them.

I use the Hasty Market now...I used to have Home as home until I read Martin's post prior

[quote name='dwaxman1' timestamp='1320349338' post='32174']

I use the Hasty Market now...I used to have Home as home until I read Martin's post prior

[/quote]



Funny, I use a Avondale Store (our local chain of corner stores). I always thought if I had someone I really hated, I'd use their address. That way if my GPS was stolen maybe I could think there was some justification taking place elsewhere. <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... oflmao.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':rotflmao:' />

[quote name='Gadgets' timestamp='1320349824' post='32177']

Funny, I use a Avondale Store (our local chain of corner stores). I always thought if I had someone I really hated, I'd use their address. That way if my GPS was stolen maybe I could think there was some justification taking place elsewhere. <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... oflmao.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':rotflmao:' />

[/quote]



OMG... that is mean but funny......

Long time ago my dad's van was broken into the same way, but I think most newer vehicles have taken new actions to correct this issue.

I had a car get broken into in my driveway (in a very good part of town) back about 8 yrs ago. When insurance paid to have the stereo replaced, and the door & handle replaced/repaired I paid the shop extra - I had them remove the door handles all together (shaved), and had a remote door-popper set installed. I wasnt about to give those fuckers the same chance twice. If they wanted to get in the next time, they'd have to break a window, and deal with the alarm system I installed shortly after too, to complement and activate the door poppers. Until I sold it a few weeks ago, that car remained on our driveway, with the same stereo, and wasnt touched again.

Never knew that, changing mine right now.