{"id":3070,"date":"2016-12-01T05:48:27","date_gmt":"2016-12-01T13:48:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liveviewgps.com\/blog\/?p=3070"},"modified":"2025-09-16T15:01:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T22:01:14","slug":"freebie-car-thefts-increase-drivers-leave-keys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.liveviewgps.com\/blog\/freebie-car-thefts-increase-drivers-leave-keys\/","title":{"rendered":"“Freebie” Car Thefts Increase As More Drivers Leave Their Keys Inside"},"content":{"rendered":"

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When you\u2019re quickly running into your home to pick up something you\u2019ve forgotten, or are grabbing a quick coffee, you might think it\u2019s OK to leave your keys in your unlocked car for five minutes.<\/p>\n

However, a recent report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has essentially stated otherwise. The number of these so-called \u201cfreebie\u201d vehicle thefts was up 22 percent<\/a> to 57,096 in 2015.<\/p>\n

Although it\u2019s convenient to leave your vehicle running and open for a few minutes while you\u2019re doing something else nearby, it could cost you your car. When your vehicle is open, with exposed valuables lying around inside, and your keys in the ignition, this is an open invitation to opportunist thieves, who will see your prized possession as easy pickings.<\/p>\n

A \u201cfreebie\u201d theft is defined as when a driver leaves their FOB or keys in an unlocked car, unattended. Rather than improving, the NICB says that instances of this particular type of theft have grown 31 percent over the past three years.<\/p>\n

It must be remembered that the figures above are based on reported data. As people understandably don\u2019t like to admit they\u2019ve left their vehicle unlocked with the keys inside, the figure of 57,096 may be on the lower side in terms of actual thefts.<\/p>\n

In a recent press release<\/a>, the NICB have advised all drivers to:<\/p>\n