What does it mean to find a penny in your car door handle?

Imagine this: You’re heading to your car to start your day when you realize something is wrong. You try to unlock your car, but the key won’t work. Feeling lost or unsure? You may have discovered a clever trick that car thieves use to steal vehicles, and it starts with a coin.

The classic coin in the door trick

Surprisingly, thieves have many tricks, and one of their favorite methods is to use a dime or nickel. These clever people insert a coin into the passenger side door handle. It may seem strange, but it works well.

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Focusing on the passenger side: a strategy

You may be wondering why thieves target the passenger side. The solution is very clever: they know that if they insert a coin into the door handle, it can stop your central locking system from working properly. This means that your car is not safe, even if you think it is.