Every car owner must register their vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) upon purchase. The DMV will then provide you with your new license plates and a registration certificate, which you’re required to keep in your car at all times. Unfortunately, most thieves will take advantage of this fact and break into a vehicle to steal the owner’s car registration.
Some drivers might think losing a piece of paper is no big deal. After all, car registrations are non-transferable and can easily be replaced. However, there’s a lot of personal information there that can actually lead to some complicated legal issues.
Thieves will often steal someone’s car registration for a couple of reasons, such as the following:
Car registrations contain the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which thieves can use to register illegal cars, file false insurance claims, and create duplicate keys.
Thieves can also use your personal information to steal your identity. With your personally identifiable information (PII) at hand, a thief could buy and register a new car in your name. This means you’d be responsible for paying the car loan and settling any traffic tickets.
Because it also contains your home address, a stolen car registration can leave you vulnerable to a break-in. Double-check your belongings to see if the thief also took your house keys or garage door opener, as they can use these to break into your home.
Falling victim to theft is never a fun experience, but don’t panic. Right now, it’s important to keep a level head and take action immediately. Here are tips on what to do after realizing your car registration was stolen:
First things first, head to the police station and file a report. This document is legal proof that your registration was stolen, and you’ll need it to replace your stolen registration.
Next, you have to head to the DMV to replace your car registration. Different states will have different procedures on how to replace stolen car registrations, so consider calling ahead first to check if you have all the necessary documents prepared. Some states will require you to apply for the replacement in person, while other states will ask you to go through your local Secretary of State or tax collector’s office instead.
Either way, make sure the DMV flags your old car registration in their system to prevent the thieves from using it.
To prevent the thieves from making any false insurance claims, be sure to contact your auto insurance provider.
Installing an alarm system in your house can deter any pesky thieves that might try to break into your home. Always lock your doors, and make sure your car is safe and secure in your garage.
Closely monitor your bank and credit card accounts for any fraudulent transactions. You can also freeze your credit with major credit bureaus to protect yourself against any unauthorized credit accounts.
Car break-ins are a lot more common than you might think. In 2022, over a million vehicle break-ins were recorded in the US. While not all thieves are going to go after your car registration, there are certainly a few who won’t mind grabbing it along with your purse and other valuables left in your car.
The good news is that you can take extra steps to deter car thieves from going anywhere near your vehicle.
Car theft can happen to anybody, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to lessen the chances of it happening to you. Here are tips on how to protect your car and registration:
You don’t actually have to bring the original document with you. Instead, keep a copy of your registration and other important paperwork in your car.
Keep your registration and other belongings out of sight and tucked away in your glove compartment. Installing a lock on your glove box also makes it harder for thieves to steal your belongings.
Thieves are more likely to break into a vehicle with a purse or laptop left unattended inside. As much as possible, avoid leaving any valuables in your car.
This might seem like a no-brainer, but this applies to every instance. Even if you’re only stepping outside for a few minutes, you should always lock your car.
Identity theft protection isn’t foolproof, but it’s a great way to monitor any signs and threats. Plus, you get to work with experts who can help you reclaim your identity if ever the thief does try to steal your identity.
Always park in a safe, well-lit environment with lots of foot traffic. This will discourage thieves who only work in the shadows of isolated parking spots.
When you’re at home, be sure to park inside your garage and keep your garage door opener out of sight.
If you’re moving to a new place, changing your name, or transferring your vehicle’s ownership, you should update your car registration as soon as possible. Keeping your information up to date with the DMV makes it easier to catch attempts of VIN cloning.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.