How to Protect Yourself from Carjackers

Ensure your car is in top condition and has plenty of fuel. "E" doesn't just mean 'Enough to reach my destination.' Keep your tank full and your vehicle well-maintained. If your car breaks down because of poor maintenance, you might find yourself an easy target for carjackers.

• Inspect your tires regularly—at least once a month and before any long trips. Check for any damage, excessive wear, or low air pressure.

Always lock your car doors and roll up the windows. This is important whether you're inside the car or not. Make it a habit to lock the doors as soon as you get in, and again as soon as you step out of the vehicle.

Avoid leaving valuables visible inside your car. If you have personal belongings like a purse or shopping bags in the car, place them in the trunk where they can't be seen. Never leave cash or even spare change out in the open.

• When driving, keep valuable items on the floor rather than on the seats to minimize their visibility in case you need to make an unscheduled stop and cannot immediately move them to the trunk.

Familiarize yourself with your neighbors. Knowing your neighbors makes it easier to notice suspicious vehicles or individuals in your area. If you spot a stranger hanging around or an unfamiliar car driving through repeatedly, treat it as suspicious behavior. Don’t go home right away. Contact the authorities, drive around the block, and return only when the person has left.

• Reporting unusual activities to the police can help deter crime and create a safer environment in your neighborhood.

Ensure your driveway is well-lit and free of obstacles. Make sure your driveway and garage area are well-lit. Avoid letting bushes or thick plants grow too close to your driveway. Use various lighting options such as ground lights, solar lamps, or LED lights along your driveway.

• If you live in an area prone to fog, pick lights that are effective without reducing visibility in low conditions.
• Place ground lights about one foot apart, and consider staggering their positions to create a well-lit path.

Park your car in a locked garage when possible. If you have a garage, make sure to park your car inside and lock the garage door. An automatic garage door isn't foolproof—thieves sometimes use wire hooks to trigger the release mechanism.

• Block access to the release mechanism by creating a barrier with a piece of plywood attached to a cleat using brad nails. A twist-tie can also be used to secure it.
• Install a t-handle or slide lock on your garage door for added security. A t-handle uses a key, and a slide lock can be secured with a padlock.

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Take caution when warming up your car in cold temperatures. If you need to let your car warm up during the winter, keep a spare set of keys to lock the car while it’s idling. Thieves often target unlocked cars that are running, viewing them as easy opportunities to steal a vehicle.

Plan your journey ahead of time. Even for short trips, map out your route before you head out. Asking for directions can signal to potential carjackers that you’re not familiar with the area or distracted. Set your route and any planned stops in advance.

• Stick to the most direct routes and vary your travel pattern so you're less likely to become a predictable target for criminals.

Stay clear of risky areas and unfamiliar roads. Avoid high-crime zones, sparsely populated rural routes, or areas with heavy traffic. Use a navigation app that helps you bypass dangerous neighborhoods. If you come across streets marked by abandoned cars, graffiti, liquor stores, or tire skid marks, be aware you might be in a less-safe area.

Be extra cautious when parking in commercial areas. According to the National Crime Victimization Survey, 25% of all carjackings occur in parking lots, garages, or near commercial spaces. Park as close to the building entrance as possible, ensuring you’re in a well-lit area, and avoid spots hidden by walls or large plants. Don’t linger in your car—avoid sorting through receipts, talking on the phone, or chatting with passengers. Lock your doors and drive away immediately.

• Avoid putting on your seatbelt while pulling out of a parking space. If you need to exit your vehicle in a hurry, it’s better to belt up once you’re safely on the move.
• In parking garages, opt for a spot near the exit and back in. This way, you’ll be able to drive out more easily if you need to leave in a rush.

Always carry a cell phone or communication device. Keep a GPS system in your vehicle or use a GPS app on your phone in case you lose your way. Ensure your cell phone is always charged. Even if it’s not tied to a service contract, you can still dial 911 in emergencies. Just keep in mind, if you don’t have a service provider and your call drops, you’ll need to call back since emergency operators can't reach you directly.

Regularly check your mirrors for anyone following you. If you suspect someone is tailing you, take a few unexpected turns. If the car behind you continues to follow, head straight to the nearest police station for safety.

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Remain vigilant at intersections. Whenever possible, stay in the center lane. Avoid distractions like your cell phone or radio. Make sure to keep an eye on everything happening around you—check your mirrors and windows. Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, so you have space to maneuver if it stalls or if someone suspicious approaches.

• Maintain a gap roughly equal to half the length of your vehicle between you and the car ahead. This gives you enough room to move if needed. As a general rule, you should be able to see the rear tires of the car in front of you.

Know how to react if your car is hit from behind. A common tactic carjackers use is ‘The Bump.’ They rear-end vehicles to lure drivers out of their cars, then steal the vehicle. If your car is bumped, only pull over to assess the situation once you're in a safe, public area.

• Stay inside your car with the doors locked and windows up. Signal the other driver to follow you, and head towards the nearest police or fire station. If they don’t follow, make a note of their license plate.

Don’t get out of your car if something is placed under your windshield wiper. Criminals sometimes place money (real or fake) or flyers under your windshield to trick you into stepping out. If you see something on your windshield and exit your car to retrieve it, a carjacker may seize the opportunity to steal your vehicle—or worse, run you over.

Be cautious of people trying to get your attention. Carjackers often use ruses to exploit people’s kindness. If someone is flashing their headlights or waving you to pull over, or pretending to be injured in a supposed accident, don’t stop.

• If someone claims there’s an issue with your car, keep driving and only pull over in a safe, public space.
• If someone appears injured and needs help, contact authorities or report to the nearest police or fire station.

Avoid getting caught in surveillance traps in gated communities. A significant number of carjackings happen within a five-mile radius of the victim’s home. Carjackers may track vehicles returning to gated communities, and try to trap you before the gate opens. If you're coming home, wait on the street if needed until the gate opens so no car can follow you in.

• If you're visiting a gated community, call ahead to ensure the gate is open when you arrive.

Be aware and trust your instincts when heading to your car. Stay alert with your eyes and ears open when you approach your car. Pay attention to that gut feeling if something feels off. If you spot someone loitering around the parking area or sense that something's not right, don’t walk to your car. Go back to a populated place and ask for a security escort. If that’s not possible, wait for a group and walk with them. A staggering 92% of carjackings involve victims who are alone.

• Check around, under, and inside your car.
• Ensure that children or packages don’t distract your focus. Always check your surroundings before entering the vehicle.

Avoid stopping at isolated ATMs or phone booths. When stopping at a drive-thru ATM, have your card ready, keep your car in drive, and park as close to the ATM as possible. Make sure to glance at your rearview mirror before stopping.

• Stay away from lonely payphones, newspaper stands, and empty parking lots.

Don’t lower your guard just because it’s daylight. Carjackings aren’t limited to the nighttime. In fact, over 64% of carjackings that occur during the day are successful. Stay just as alert in daylight as you would at night.