Criminals sometimes wedge a coin (like a penny) in the door handle of the passenger side. When you lock the car using your key fob or central lock system, the jammed mechanism might prevent the door from locking properly — but you might not notice. Then, when you walk away, the thief comes back, opens the unlocked door, and steals what’s inside or even takes the vehicle.
What to do if you find one:
- Remove it immediately.
- Check that all doors are properly locked.
- Inspect for other signs of tampering.
- Consider notifying local authorities if anything seems suspicious.
- Check security camera footage if parked near a store or in a monitored lot.
Safety Tip:
Always manually check that your car doors are locked — especially the passenger side — even if you used a remote key.
Stay alert. It could save you a lot of trouble.