Auto Thieves Don't Take Holidays Off

12/16/2009

The holidays can be a mixed bag for consumers when it comes to auto theft statistics, according to a recent report.

This week, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) noted that vehicles are least likely to be stolen on New Year's Eve and Christmas Day. However, vehicles were deemed most likely to be stolen on New Year's Day.

"We know that thieves never miss an opportunity to make a quick buck by stealing a car," said Joe Wehrle of the NICB, noting that auto thieves "work weekends, nights and holidays."

The NICB noted that on New Year's Day 2008, 3,017 vehicles were stolen, more than any other holiday. Next on the list was Labor Day, which saw 2,847 stolen vehicles, followed by Halloween (2,727) and President's Day (2,683). At the bottom of the list, a relatively modest 916 vehicles were stolen on New Year's Eve and 1,267 were stolen on Christmas Day.

Overall, FBI statistics have indicated that the rate of auto theft nationwide has continued to fall in recent years. Between 2007 and 2008, the theft rate fell 12.7 percent. However, the agency also warns that a vehicle is still stolen every 33 seconds in the United States.

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