Thwart the "Puffers" This Holiday Season

Often times, holiday shoppers warm up their cars while visiting shopping centers – unintentionally providing an opportunity for auto theft criminals, known as “puffers,” to steal gifts stored in a vehicle or worse, the car itself. 

 Here are some useful suggestions for theft prevention from LoJack.

• Check it twice: Do not leave your car running and unattended. It’s tempting to start your car, turn on the heat and head back inside – but don’t unless the vehicle is in a safe place where you can see it.

• Find “busy sidewalks”: Park in well-lit, high traffic areas to make it difficult for thieves to break into your car.
  
  
• Wrap your gifts in security: Remember to lock your car doors, especially if you are dropping off shopping bags between stores and always roll-up car windows after collecting your parking garage ticket at shopping centers.
  
  
• Play “Secret Santa”: Conceal any holiday shopping treasures to avoid tempting thieves and making your car a target. If you must go into your trunk to store gifts, take your keys. You don’t want someone jumping in your car while you are filling your trunk.
  
  
• Invest in sleigh bells: Activate your alarm systems and / or any other security features on your vehicle. And if ever you do fall victim to vehicle theft, a LoJack installed device can help police track stolen cars. Cars equipped with LoJack are recovered 94 percent of the time.