Équité Association Releases the 2021 Top 10 Stolen Vehicles in Canada List

Electronic theft, high-end vehicle export and false VINs for domestic sales noted
as key trends

TORONTO, Dec. 8, 2021 /CNW/ - Any vehicle, any time, in plain sight and even from your own driveway at night, thieves are stealing vehicles. Équité Association (Équité), and its Investigative Services team, releases the latest list of top 10 stolen vehicles across Canada.

Regional Comparison of Thefts by Vehicule Type (CNW Group/Équité Association)

For this year's list, Équité highlights the following key trends in vehicle thefts: Electronic auto theft is on the rise across the country as more vehicles are equipped with technology like push button start; many high-end SUVs continue to be stolen for export; and stolen vehicles are being given false vehicle identification numbers and sold to unsuspecting consumers.

"Regardless of the type of vehicle, auto theft is a serious threat to public safety and continues to affect our local communities coast to coast and crosses international borders," says Bryan Gast, Vice President, Investigative Services, Équité Association. "The vehicles being stolen are commodity-based money laundering; where they're being exchanged to fund organized crime and terrorism. At Équité, we're invested in protecting Canadians every day."

2021 List of Top 10 Stolen Vehicles in Canada
Regional insights follow immediately after the table.

No.	Make and Models	Most Common Model Year Stolen	Vehicle Type
1	Ford F150 / F250 / F350 / F450 Series	2018	Pick-up
2	Honda CR-V Series	2018	SUV
3	Chevrolet / GMC Silverado / Sierra 1500 / 2500 / 3500 Series	2005	Pick-up
4	Dodge / Ram 1500 / 2500 / 3500 Series	2019	Pick-up
5	Lexus RX350 / RX450 Series	2017	SUV
6	Honda Civic Series	2019	Sedan
7	Toyota Highlander Series	2019	SUV
8	Chrysler / Dodge Town & Country / Grand Caravan / Caravan / Voyager	2017	Van
9	Toyota Corolla Series	2017	Sedan
10	Honda Accord Series	2018	Sedan

* Contains data licensed by Insurance Bureau of Canada

Regional Insights
Regional lists are available on equiteassociation.com.

About Équité Association
A new company, Équité Association was conceived by the insurance industry to integrate cross-insurer data analytics operations with Investigative Services as a centralized effort to combat insurance fraud. Équité is a 21^st century company, operating as an independent, not-for-profit organization, to expand the reach and impact of both founding teams while augmenting data, technology, and investigations, to serve as a centre point for insurance crime across all insurers in Canada. Équité aims to offer a global standard in successfully combatting insurance crime. Our services are available to all insurance companies. They gain access to fraud prevention, investigative solutions and a cross-insurer, intelligence-sharing hub. By participating in the products and services of Équité, insurers are invested in diminishing crime in Canada, and protecting all Canadians against exploitation.

Learn more at https://www.equiteassociation.com/. 

BACKGROUNDER TOP 10 STOLEN VEHICLES

Technology
While the technology in our vehicles continues to evolve, so do sophisticated auto thieves who are using technology to bypass security systems and electronically gain access to Canadians' vehicles. Technology is having a major impact on vehicle thefts, evident in this year's annual list.

Organized Crime
While some vehicles are stolen to commit another crime or to be used to go for a "joyride," many others are stolen by organized crime groups to be sold to unsuspecting consumers in Canada, exported or to be stripped down for parts that are then sold. 

Tips to prevent auto theft
Even with today's tech-savvy thieves, there are a number of steps Canadians can take to help protect themselves from becoming a victim of auto theft.  

• Don't leave a keyless entry remote in a vehicle or unprotected at the front entrance of your home. Thieves can use wireless transmitters to intercept the signal, giving them access to the vehicle. Consider storing fobs in a protective box or bag in your home that blocks the radio frequency identification (RFID) signal.
• Install an immobilizing device that prevents thieves from bypassing the ignition or reprogramming the electronics through onboard diagnostic port. This can include devices that require wireless ignition authentication or starter, ignition and fuel pump disablers.
• Install a tracking device.
• Don't make your vehicle an easy target:
• Never leave a vehicle running when unattended.
• Lock the doors and close all windows when the vehicle is parked.
• Make sure to park in well-lit areas or in the garage.
• Use a visible or audible device that shows thieves a vehicle is protected.
• Consider using a deterrent like a steering-wheel or brake-pedal lock.
• Don't leave personal information, like insurance and ownership documents, in the glove box of your vehicle when parked.

SOURCE Équité Association

Media Contact: Dennie Theodore, VP, Partner & Employee Engagement and Marketing, Équité Association, [email protected]