July is Vehicle Theft Prevention Month
In Six Months, DMV Recovered 188 Stolen Vehicles
During Vehicle Theft Prevention Month, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is providing vehicle owners with important steps to take to protect themselves from losing their vehicles, or parts of them, to thieves.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 850,000 drivers fall victim to this crime every year, with total losses worth approximately $8 billion.
“Summer is the busiest season for vehicle thefts, so it is a good time to remind New Yorkers about the steps they can take to protect their purchase,” said DMV Commissioner and Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder. “You can act to prevent your car from being stolen, and there are ways you can check to be sure a vehicle you are thinking about buying has not been taken from someone else.”
Recent years have seen an increase in stolen vehicles. Between January 1 and June 30 of this year, DMV recovered 188 vehicles with a total value of almost $5.6 million. Sixteen stolen parts were also recovered, worth $72,598.
During that same time period in 2024, DMV recovered 120 vehicles totaling $3,553,167 and had recovered 31 stolen parts for $58,534. All told in 2024, DMV recovered 303 stolen vehicles worth more than $8,300,000 and recovered nearly $92,000 in stolen parts.
Governor Kathy Hochul has actively called for increased efforts to improve public safety and traffic safety by working to reduce theft. In 2023, she initiated a five-point plan called the Comprehensive Auto-Theft Reduction Strategy (CARS). As part of that plan, New York State Police has increased patrols in high theft areas and the State launched a vehicle theft prevention website to provide resources and education to help New Yorkers take their own measures to prevent auto theft.
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Auto theft often involves complex, organized criminal operations that can span across multiple states. The magnitude of these thefts impacts the quality of life and financial stability for all New Yorkers who fall victim to these crimes. By remaining vigilant and taking the appropriate precautions, you can keep yourself and your vehicle protected from theft. Together, with our law enforcement partners, the State Police will continue the mission to reduce the number of vehicle thefts in New York State.”
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “Having your vehicle stolen is costly, stressful and disruptive. Staying alert and taking preventive measures make a real difference in reducing these crimes. I want to thank our law enforcement partners across New York State who continue to work tirelessly to recover stolen vehicles and hold those responsible accountable.”
Here is guidance on how to protect your vehicle from being stolen
- Never leave your key fob in the vehicle.
- Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
- Park in well-lit areas if possible.
- Never leave valuables in your vehicle, especially if they can be seen.
And here is how to be sure you don’t unintentionally buy a stolen vehicle.
- Check the VIN before buying a used vehicle to make sure it was not flooded or stolen. The National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) VINCheck is a free service to help consumers determine if a vehicle has been reported as salvaged or stolen. By entering the Vehicle Identification Number of the vehicle they are looking to buy, consumers can learn if the vehicle was ever flooded or stolen. They can search up to five VINs per day.
- Look for odometer discrepancies.
- Be cautious about buying a vehicle locally with out-of-state titles or a car being sold with a NY title that has out of state inspections stickers, plates or temporary paper plates.
This past fall, DMV warned consumers about a surge in online car sales scams and offered guidance on how to protect yourself. New Yorkers should be especially careful about online private sales.
DMV has also previously cautioned consumers about purchasing vehicles damaged by flooding.
Flood damage can affect the engine or transmission, corrode wiring, harm the airbag or impair the vehicle’s computers—damage that might not be readily visible.
Some sellers take the vehicle from a flooded area and get a new title in a different state before trying to sell it. Consumers should be aware when purchasing used vehicles with titles issued during hurricane periods, even if the title is not from a state affected by the storm.
If your vehicle is stolen, report it to the police and your auto insurance company as soon as possible. The police will enter the information into national and state auto theft computer records. The theft will be noted on your vehicle title record to help prevent someone from selling the vehicle or applying for a title.
Also ask the police to complete a 'Report of Lost or Stolen Motor Vehicle Items' form (MV-78B) for your stolen plates, which you must submit to the DMV. If only your license plates are stolen, you must still submit the MV-78B form to the DMV along with your vehicle registration.
You can find additional information on stolen and recovered vehicles and insurance lapses on stolen vehicles on the DMV website.
The DMV also offers additional tips to protect yourself when buying a vehicle.
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