How to protect your car from catalytic converter theft

A video shows it takes just over 30 seconds for thieves to steal a catalytic converter off a vehicle.

The average bill to replace a catalytic converter ranges between $900 and $2000.

There are various alarms and straps for sale claiming to help prevent theft.

Sarah Offin looks into what police, tech experts and auto shop owners recommend.

#GlobalNews #consumer #crime

[maxb]

hey, if they didnt had a place to sell them they wouldnt steal them, find the people who buy them back...

[Wolf]

There need to be mandatory prison sentences for these thieves.

[SCSC-qzrr]

Nothing mentioned as to how to protect your car which is why I clicked on this video

[coloringwithpatwilson]

the answer is to deal with the scrap yards where the thieves are selling the metal.

[vasilytanygin]

Camera is a really good option. With camera you can build a nice collection of recordings how the same person is stealing your brand new catalitic converters.

[supergeodotca]

The solution is to get manufacturers to design the vehicles with theft prevention built in.

[Qusin]

The only solution is to devalue second hand selling of these precious elements and make the Catalytic Converter a mandatory recycle item from the salvage yards where they get a minimum collection fee.

[Stardusted]

Creative solutions would include a fifty thousand dollar fine for those in receipt of those metals. Eh?

[lovelifeday]

Who ever is buying them should have to take the sellers information (drivers license or some form of idea to identify them) in case they are stolen. You have to give your information at a Pawn Shop.

[raymak]

why put the responsibility on the law abiding, tax payer when you can severely punish these criminals when caught? no hands = cant steal, or let the home owners defend their property however they like!?

[TH-tlsy]

A locked garage, a protective dog, and a shot gun and you're all set.

[DankGank]

That advice is great and all but if the police wont investigate it, then what is the point?

[nesseihtgnay]

Put a gun sound on your automatic light outside near your car, everytime someone passes through it, the light turns on and guns sounds started going off

[sinbadandsalty]

Thought you were going to tell us how to protect it...$5400. later👍. Btw cops say video is not enough, nothing short of catching them in the act.

[duro]

Serialize the cats, make a registry and have shops who buy cats participate in logging what they buy and from who or maybe a website that they can also check serials registed. If they get one that has been serialized then they will have a good indicator its probably stolen and who it belongs to.

[denniswhite]

Thieves would get a shock when they look under my 2 cars. I replaced both cc's with a length of straight pipe. I sold them to the local garage that removed them. Made some money and got the job of removal done for free.

[droiduser]

Get a car alarm that detects any car motion or someone touching it and triggers the horn to start beeping and lights to flash on and off...plus a motion sensing light and camera that triggers a warning on your cell phone, one that automatically zooms in, records and follows their movements with a bright spot light.

[Kenny-oyzi]

I live in Pennsylvania and anytime a "friend" would do any exhaust system work they immediately cut my catalytic converter and sold it. 4 times from so called friends. People are scum.

[hachiroku]

I installed a cheap motion detector alarm under the car and cheap strong wire loop around making it harder even if they cut both sides of converter.I just disable it before running and acitivate it when parking at risky area for long period of time. This may not deter them but hoping they will panic /rush while trying to cut the pipe and wire loop around and alerted me or others around.

Painting and etching of VIN won’t do any benefits IMO as the buyers of this knows they are stolen or running a theft ring. Make sure have comprehensive insurance coverage always is a must but not with old cars with lower value of course.

[rogerwilkie]

Property line motion detection alarm. Catch’em in the act!