Rank |
Year |
Make |
Model |
1 |
1995 |
Honda |
Civic |
2 |
1989 |
Toyota |
Camry |
3 |
1991 |
Honda |
Accord |
4 |
1994 |
Dodge |
Caravan |
5 |
1994 |
Chevrolet |
Full Size c/k 1500 Pickup |
6 |
1997 |
Ford |
f150 Series |
7 |
2003 |
Dodge |
Ram Pickup |
8 |
1990 |
Acura |
Integra |
9 |
1988 |
Toyota |
Pickup |
10 |
1991 |
Nissan |
Sentra |
In 2004, 1,237,114 motor vehicles were reported
stolen which is a decrease of 23,357 vehicles from 2003. Overall
in the United States, motor vehicle theft was down by 1.9
percent.
"The slight decrease in auto theft is a
positive sign. Now all of us in the fight against vehicle theft
and insurance fraud must ensure that we continue the momentum
and bring this national crime problem under control," said
Robert M. Bryant, President and Chief Executive Officer of the
NICB.
The FBI Uniform Crime Report divides the nation
into four regions. In the Northeast, with 18.6 percent of the
nation's population, auto theft was down 9.7 percent from 2003.
In the Midwest, with 22.4 percent of the population, auto theft
was down 4.4 percent. The South with 36.1 percent of the
population showed a decrease in vehicle theft of 2.9 percent.
Meanwhile, the West, with 23.0 percent of the population, was
the only region that posted an increase—3.2 percent—over its
2003 number.
NICB encourages everyone to follow its "layered
approach" to auto theft protection by employing simple, low-cost
suggestions to make their vehicles less attractive to thieves.
NICB's four layers are:
Common Sense:
The cheapest form of defense is to simply employ the
anti-theft devices that are standard on all vehicles: locks.
Lock your car and take your keys.
Warning
Device: Having and using a visible or audible warning device
is another item that can ensure that your car remains where you
left it.
Immobilizing
Device: "Kill" switches, fuel cut-offs, and smart keys are
among the devices which are high and low tech, but extremely
effective. Generally speaking, if your car won't start, it won't
get stolen.
Tracking
Device: On the higher end of high tech are the newer devices
which can alert you—and law enforcement—the moment an
unauthorized user moves your vehicle.
Auto theft and related fraudulent activity is
only a part of the $30 billion it costs insurance companies and
their policyholders each year. You can do your part to
help stop this criminal activity by reporting suspected fraud to
NICB, anonymously, at 1-800-TEL-NICB (1-800-835-6422) or by
visiting our Web site
www.nicb.org. The National Insurance Crime Bureau is the
nation's premiere non-profit organization exclusively dedicated
to fighting insurance fraud and vehicle theft for the benefit of
its member companies, their policyholders, and the general
public through information analysis, investigations, training
and public awareness.
For more information on Hot Wheels, please visit
our Web site at www.nicb.org.