If you’ve ever spotted a random coin on your car door handle or windshield, don’t brush it off just yet — it might not be as innocent as it seems.
In recent years, social media platforms have circulated warnings about a sneaky tactic used by car thieves: placing a coin in a strategic spot on your vehicle. The most common spot? Wedged into the door handle or resting on the windshield wipers. Sounds strange, right? But there’s a purpose behind this small, seemingly harmless gesture.
Why Would Someone Put a Coin on Your Car?
Here’s the theory: A thief places a coin (usually a penny or a nickel) in the passenger-side door handle or somewhere discreet where you might not immediately notice. When you go to lock your car using the key fob, the coin prevents the lock mechanism from fully engaging — especially in older models. You walk away, thinking your vehicle is secure, but in reality, the doors are still unlocked.
Later, when the coast is clear, the thief returns and gains easy access to your car.
This tactic works best in busy parking lots or residential areas where people come and go frequently, and the coin might be overlooked altogether.
Is It a Real Threat or Just Urban Legend?
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