HOUSTON – Thieves are capitalizing on the shortage of used cars. They’re getting creative stealing and then selling hot vehicles to make a buck.
Our investigates team is looking into three ways you can make sure you don’t buy a stolen vehicle.
More people are buying used vehicles on websites
Inventory is low at traditional dealerships, so people are looking online now more than ever to find used cars at sites like Craigslist, Offer Up, and Facebook marketplace. But Houston Police Department Auto Theft Task Force Investigators say they are seeing a lot of stolen cars shuffled through these sites.
Where old school car thieves might jam a screwdriver in a vehicle’s ignition, today’s thieves are doing less damage to the cars they’re stealing.
#1 Inspect the key fob carefully
“Dealerships are getting ripped off more. Valets are getting ripped off more, so there’s a lot of new ways to get those key fobs,” said Sgt. Tracy Hicks, HPD Auto Theft Task Force…