Stolen vehicles causing crooks to "go to pieces"

IBC's Top 10 Most Frequently Stolen Vehicles list for 2015

TORONTO, Dec. 2, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) published its annual Top 10 Most Frequently Stolen Vehicles list. Once again, Ford trucks and expensive SUVs figure prominently. However, this year, organized criminals have taken a different approach hoping to avoid being detected and caught when exporting the stolen vehicles.

"We are seeing containers in the Montreal and Halifax ports stocked with car and truck parts," said Rick Dubin, Vice-President, Investigative Services, IBC. "Crooks are trying to fool Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and IBC by dismantling high-end, late-model vehicles. CBSA and IBC have seized 41 of these vehicles that had been dismantled." 

Dubin went on to say, "Together, CBSA and IBC have recovered over $10 million in stolen vehicles at the ports this year alone."

While there has been a decline in auto theft over the last decade, there has been an uptick in auto theft in 2014. "Stolen vehicles are up 1% to 73,964 across Canada, with the biggest increases in B.C. (up 29%) and Alberta (up 2%)," added Dubin.  

Top 10 List

This year's 10 most frequently stolen vehicles in Canada are:

1. FORD F350 SD 4WD PU 2005
2. FORD F350 SD 4WD PU 2006
3. FORD F350 SD 4WD PU 2007
4. CADILLAC ESCALADE 4DR 4WD SUV 2006          
5. FORD F350 SD 4WD PU 2003
6. FORD F250 SD 4WD PU 2006
7. FORD F350 SD 4WD PU 2001
8. FORD F250 SD 4WD PU 2004
9. FORD F250 SD 4WD PU 2007
10. FORD F250 SD 4WD PU 2001         

According to Dubin, "None of the top 10 stolen vehicles are equipped with an electronic manufacturer immobilizer as a theft deterrent system, so they are easier to steal. We also see from this list that criminals continue to have a huge demand for AWD/4WD late model high-end vehicles."

For the Top 10 Most Frequently Stolen Vehicles click on the links for Ontario; for Atlantic Canada; and for Western Canada.

Keep your vehicle safe
Dubin believes in being vigilant about deterring car thieves. "A vehicle left running unattended is not only easy to steal, it has increased value as a stolen vehicle," he said.

Dubin estimates that 60% of the stolen vehicles seized at the ports have keys in them. "The crooks are targeting vehicles with keys in them because they are of greater value. Don't leave your vehicle running unattended in your driveway or at your favourite coffee shop."

"Stolen vehicles are often used to commit crimes such as robberies, and break and enters," continued Dubin, "and they're used to barter for drugs."

Even without the keys, it takes less than a minute for a car thief to steal your vehicle. To deter theft, Dubin advises that you:

• Never leave your vehicle running when unattended.
• Park in well-lit areas.
• When parking your car, always close the windows, lock the doors, and pocket and protect your keys.
• Put your valuables and packages in the trunk, where they're out of sight.
• Keep your car in the garage at night.
• Don't leave personal information in the glove box. Take your insurance and ownership documents with you when you park your vehicle.

Car thieves not only steal your vehicle and the valuables in it, they may steal your identity through your ownership and insurance documents. In 2014, there were 12,729 cases of identity theft in Canada, an increase of 8%.

Thieves may also alter or remove the vehicle identification number (VIN) on a vehicle in an attempt to sell a stolen vehicle to unsuspecting consumers. If you are buying a used vehicle, be aware that it may be a stolen vehicle that has a fraudulent or tampered-with VIN. Consumers can always have a reputable mechanic check the vehicle and should run a vehicle history through CARFAX or CarProof to verify the vehicle's history.

Report the crime

To report an insurance crime, call IBC at 1-877-IBC-TIPS or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

For more information on auto theft, visit www.ibc.ca or click here.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada

Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. For more than 50 years, IBC has worked with governments across the country to help make affordable home, auto and business insurance available for all Canadians. IBC supports the vision of consumers and governments trusting, valuing and supporting the private P&C insurance industry. It champions key issues and helps educate consumers on how best to protect their homes, cars, businesses and properties.

P&C insurance touches the lives of nearly every Canadian and plays a critical role in keeping businesses safe and the Canadian economy strong. It employs more than 118,000 Canadians, pays $6.7 billion in taxes and has a total premium base of $48 billion.  

For media releases and more information, visit IBC's Media Centre at www.ibc.ca. Follow IBC on Twitter @InsuranceBureau and @IBC_Ontario or like us on Facebook. If you have a question about home, auto or business insurance, contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1‑844‑2ask-IBC.

If you require more information, IBC spokespeople are available to discuss the details in this media release.

SOURCE Insurance Bureau of Canada

To schedule an interview, please contact: Ellen Woodger, Communications Consultant, Insurance Bureau of Canada, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected]