SIR,

Regarding your article about car crime in last week's paper, I would like to warn people of a recent theft that I experienced.

I approached my car from the passenger side to place my computer bag on the front passenger seat. As I reached to open the door I noticed there was a hole right under my door handle. My first thought was, "someone has shot the car !" I began to think about it and inspect it a little closer and the light slowly began to dawn.

I phoned a friend who owns a body shop and asked if he had any vehicles with damage to the doors that looked like a bullet hole.

He said yes, that he sees it all the time. Thieves have a punch and place it right under the door handle, knock a hole through, reach in and unlock it, just as if they have a key. No alarms, broken glass.

I then placed a call to my insurance agent and explained it to him. I was puzzled that they left my GPS and all other belongings.

"Oh no," he said, "they want the break-in to be so subtle that you don't even realise it. They look at your GPS to see where 'home' is. Or check your address from insurance and registration documents in your glove box.

"Now they know what you drive, go to your home, and if your vehicle isn't there they assume you aren't, and break into your home."

He said they will even leave a purse or wallet and only take one or two credit cards. By the time you realise there has been a theft, they may have already had a couple of days or more to use them (I didn't realise my situation for two full days). They even give you the courtesy of re-locking your doors for you.

The professional advice is: periodically, walk around your car, especially after you park in a shopping centre or other large parking area.

Report thefts immediately, tell your bank about missing cheque numbers, as well as your credit card agencies, police, and insurance companies.

Name and address supplied