Be Careful While Running - Car Thieves

VERY good advice.

1500Master wrote:

Idiot should have known that runner's have no money and I had none in my wallet, so he got zero cash. He did manage to use my ATM as a Visa card and racked up some purchases in short order. The merchants are liable in the end for not checking ID, so B of A credited back my account. 1500Master

Bullshit. He can't buy anything with a BOA debit card without the pin code.

Sure he can. I used mine all over Kenya - with only a signature, and never a check of ID. Fortunately it was really me, but a thief could have done the same. Now have one with my mug on it, but it is easy to use w/o pin - do it all the time.

Two months ago I had my car broken into in Portland and the police took it so nonchalantly I got kind of pissed off and looked into this. Evidently it's a major problem here and it seems that local law enforcement gives it a low priority.

So according to those who give a rip, car thieves prowl recreational trailheads all over the country because they know when someone steps out of their car, closes their car door and heads out for a run they are going to be gone for awhile. They lurk around and even have spotters who size up the vehicle (and contents) they are interested in, and commit the crime. Apparently a lot of these knuckleheads are resourceful and strung out crystal meth addicts which apparently makes heroin and cocaine look like a mild buzz.

Tips: Park a block away from the trailhead in a more public place, near an intersection or high traffic area, on a more visible street/venue. It's not necessarily the car they're interested in, but if they see something enticing in the car that is an easy grab, it doesn't matter whether you drive a beater or an Infinity Q-45. So put your valuables in your trunk if necessary.

wrong, you can use an ATM card as a credit card.

/mdkail

Yeah, I agree. Same as a credit card in POS.

I was going to say the same thing: You can use any debit card as a credit card and just forge a signature. The merchant is supposed to check the signature on the back of the card or ask for ID but they rarely do. I have been asked a few times for my signature/ID.

I should be more careful; I often leave the keys to my car in clear sight on top of my wheel when I go to run. It would be so easy for someone to steal my car and all of the stuff inside it. I think the worst part would be the long walk/run home feeling like a complete idiot for leaving the keys to my car in plain sight for any thief.

best not to have things to steal in the first place. possessions possess.

I had something similar happen to me in Rhode Island a few years ago. I parked in a State Park, went for a run came back and drove home. Later that night a credit card company called my house (during dinner time). One of my kids answered the phone and thinking it was one of those obnoxious telephone solicitors told them I was not home. They left no specific message. The next morning I went to the store and when I opened my wallet to pay for my purchase with a credit card I found that it was gone. And so were two other cards AND my bank card!!!! I had some cash in my wallet and THAT was still there!

Long story short, these clowns racked up almost $15K worth of purchases (many of them at BJs Wholesale club/Costco type places using the self check out lanes). They bought laptop computers, clothes, etc etc. They also went out to dinner and made a bunch of other purchases that night.

I immediately called all of the credit card companies and the bank and finally the State Police (it happened in a State Park). The cards were immediately voided. It took me nearly 4 months to get the mess cleared up, but in the end it didn't cost me anything. American Express was absolutely the best to work with. Their customer service was perfection. Visa and MC were also very good, but they made it a bit more cumbersome (a lot more paperwork) to void all the charges.

My bank card is both a debit (ATM) and credit card. Since they did not have my PIN they could not get the cash nor pay with it as a debit card. They simply ran it thru as a credit card. They guys knew exactly what they were doing.

The killer in all this was the thieves somehow broke into my car without any obvious damage, took the items out of my wallet (which I had "hidden" under a pile of clothes in the back seat), put my wallet back exactly where they found it and left my car with no visible signs of entry. I had NO idea that anyone had been in the car until the next day! According to the cops, they have been trying to catch these guys for a long time with no success. I was not the first to have been victimized like that in that park.

I no make sure that I park my car in a very visible spot, leave no valuables in the car when I go for a run (I leave it all at home), and make a mental note of anyone that happens to be hanging out around my car when I leave.

Tough lesson to learn, but one I'll never forget.

yeah i hate theives...

I once encountered 3 guys at TGIF's, one middle eastern guy, one scarwny white guy w/ glasses who like hip-hop, and one really laid back guy. Anyways these guys were secretly laundering minute values of money from their own company through some time of rounding scheme, but after a couple of years this plan would amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Anyways... yeah stealing is a bad thing...

I think I love you

hmmm wrote:

yeah i hate theives...

I once encountered 3 guys at TGIF's, one middle eastern guy, one scarwny white guy w/ glasses who like hip-hop, and one really laid back guy. Anyways these guys were secretly laundering minute values of money from their own company through some time of rounding scheme, but after a couple of years this plan would amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Anyways... yeah stealing is a bad thing...

To follow up to 'One Keg', same thing. No one seems to care, except me. I asked the manager at Albertson's how often this happens...he replied 'A lot'. He also indicated the corporation takes a huge loss annually from CC theft.

In 3 hours I was able to track all the movements, get a complete detail of all purchases......zeroed out the gift cards....compiled a decent description of the guy and gal who did it. In 4 hours all the merchants had a typed description of these two so if they came back to use the gift cards, they couold couple this with a '$0' gift card user.

Normal process would likely recieve not nearly as much result, at least for days or weeks. Granted this is a minor crime in the scope of life....but knowing that little follow up is being done....might motivate some who believe the chance of being caught is low.

As you all pointed out to 'Bullshit Detected' an ATM can be used as a CC without requiring the pin. The clerk does not normally look at the card (even tough they are supposed to check ID - few do)...which immediatly makes the retailer liable. The 'authorization' takes 24 - 48 hours to process at which time a dispute is submitted by me. This formally transfers the liability from the bank to the vendor/retailer who must defend themselves.

Cheers

Except that it was Chotchkie's, not TGIF

hmmm wrote:

yeah i hate theives...

I once encountered 3 guys at TGIF's, one middle eastern guy, one scarwny white guy w/ glasses who like hip-hop, and one really laid back guy. Anyways these guys were secretly laundering minute values of money from their own company through some time of rounding scheme, but after a couple of years this plan would amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Anyways... yeah stealing is a bad thing...

hahaha office space

I was at Costco today, and while browsing the office supply aisle what do you think I found? They had a 2 pack consisting of a red swingline stapler, and a mini swingline. I had to buy them as they were only $10 and I can't wait to prop the big red swingline up on my desk at work.

sometimes the timing of these threads is scary.

It's you guys who are leaving valuables in the car that are the problem. Car prowlers are like animals- keep leaving food and they'll keep coming back for more. Clean up your act and there will be no more incentive. I don't even lock my car doors any more, as I leave nothing valuable inside and I don't need a broken window.

Does Rexing need credit cards?

I had friend who had his car broken in to and lost his wallet and cell phone, from a parking lot we always use to run from. The difference was, that day he ran about 11am, whereas we usually get running a 6am or earlier.

But I always put my wallet, phone, cd player faceplate, etc. in the trunk, so they'll have to work if they're going to get it.

dude, i live in TO also, thats awesome