Before we dive into this important topic, let's define what car casing is and why it's important to stay alert for it. Car casing is the act of criminals identifying potential targets by scoping out vehicles in parking lots, residential areas, and other high traffic areas. They're looking for easy targets, such as cars with unlocked doors, valuables left in plain sight, or those that appear to be unoccupied. Car casing can be a precursor to theft, vandalism, or other criminal activities. In this blog post, we'll share tips on what signs to look out for, how to protect yourself, and when it's essential to make a police report.

One of the most common signs of car casing is a bent or crooked license plate tag. Criminals may bend the tag to make it difficult for law enforcement to identify the vehicle or its owner. As well as to mark a vehicle that has valuables worth coming back for. As TikToker @krisscee found out with the use of her dashcam and encouragement from other users it is important to share this information with local authorities. Online reports are a quick and easy way to share the incident and have something on record for your insurance company should your car later be broken into or otherwise vandalised.  Another sign is folded-in side mirrors; this can be an attempt to see if the car is in use. If the mirror is still folded in on the second day in a row, this is a red flag. Sometimes, car casers will put small pieces of paper or tape on the windshield to determine if anyone is using the vehicle. This tactic is also used by human traffickers to distract possible victims so they can be abducted. It’s important to not only keep these signs in mind when you're out and about but also to get in your vehicle as quickly as possible and lock the doors immediately. Afterwards, either drive to a police or fire station in case you’re being followed. While there you can report it and feel safe at the same time. Whatever you choose to do don’t drive straight home. If you choose to report (we encourage you to do so) try to make a note of the make, model, and license plate number of any suspicious vehicles or people you may have noticed or any conversations you overheard. 

To protect yourself from car casers, there are several things you can do. Install a dashcam in your vehicle; this will record any suspicious activity and provide evidence to law enforcement. Use tinted windows; this can make it more difficult for someone to see inside your vehicle. Do not leave valuables in plain sight, and always lock your doors and close your windows. If you notice any suspicious activity, stay in your vehicle and call the police; do not confront suspicious individuals or vehicles.

Another way to protect yourself is to invest in technology such as Apple CarPlay and android auto, which allow you to control your phone without taking your eyes off the road. You can also place Apple AirTags in your vehicle to help police locate it in the event that it does get stolen. Investing in security technology such as a dashcam can also help keep yourself, your family and your vehicle safe. It can also be useful to have a video to go with your police report to identify possible subjects. 

We hope these tips help educate you on car casing and how to protect yourself and your vehicle. Stay safe, stay alert, and always be aware of your surroundings.