WHAT TO DO?! LOG BOOKS and WALLET STOLEN!

[Teki04]

Hi there guys... i need your help.... My car was broken into tonight (something i will be bringing up with Sentry... as my tint did NOTHING to protect the car, and neither did the freaking alarm (well it went off, but big woop?!)

I feel as though my identity has been taken from me. They have my Licence, Bank Card, Student ID Card, Business Cards (with where i work :( ) and my money which i just withdrew today! So now im short on cash, and it couldnt have come at a worse time.... as i just got a new job so i spent all my cash on suits! Im left with a battered Fiesta, NO LOG BOOKS, no identity, and no cash to fix either. Needless to say i NEED my car for EVERYTHING (work and uni take up 6 days of the week!)

ANYWAYS, my QUESTIONS are:

1) Can Ford get replacement Log books and Manual? (at my cost... obviously!)
2) Does Ford usually stock windows? Or do i go with Obrien?
3) Please, let there be kind people in this world that may find the log book and hand it in! I think they may have taken it thinking it was a diary/card holder or something!

As you can see.... im shattered and really dunno what to do....
Next on my list: UPGRADE TINT (im getting stuff that doesnt break! My friend had her Lancer MR attempted to break into with a crow bar! Needless to say they couldnt get in!)
UPGRADE ALARM: Get those ones that msg you!

Thanks in advance guys!

[parawolf]

1) Yes - unless they are covered by your insurance

2) Ford does stock windows - though the europeans may be more difficult. I'd be trying Obrien first as the cost is about half that or better than the OEM


upgraded window tints can help... once the window shatters it will also make it easier to clean up *IF* they do punch the entire window out.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Mate dont ever leave your wallet in the car, its not worth it trust me!

You could have everything in the world to secure a car but if someone wants to get in it bad enough they will, just dont leave valuables in it.

My cars dont even have the Owners manual/rego papers in them for the above reason as I dont want some ***** breaking in and finding out where I live. Ford will be able to supply you with a log book and a new window, just go down to your local dealer and get them to order the parts, dont think obriens would stock Fiesta windows.

[EA2BA]

TINT will never do anything to protect a car other then it will keep the glass all together, doesnt really make it any harder to break in.

The alarm meant the car was still there, even though may only have been after valuables, but if they thought of taking the car they didnt.

Yeah I try to leave nothing in my car, always have my wallet with me.

Bad luck on the break in, at least the car was stil were you left it.

[XRated]

Arrrrgh bloody freakin' scum bags. I'm really surprised they broke into a car such as a brand new Festiva though :S

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by XRated

Arrrrgh bloody freakin' scum bags. I'm really surprised they broke into a car such as a brand new Festiva though :S

Why, No car is safe. Anyway, they have a choice of a new car or an old bomb, which is more likely to have valuables in it?

[TheSneakiness]

Originally Posted by XRated

...surprised they broke into a car such as a brand new Festiva though :S

Fiesta, I think you meant.

So, they just broke a window and helped themselves?

[Teki04]

Fact is... it was the first time i have EVER left my wallet in the car.... i took out cash after work (pay day) and left it in the front console.... along with other stuff. They must have had a torch or something to be able to see into the car.

Yea, pitty the log books were in the car... 1 week ago i had a burnt out brake light, so i had to manual to get a replacement... oh well.

Im just glad the Alarm went off.... as it stopped them from getting a bluetooth headset, $650 suit jacket (THANK GOD!)... and neither did they go through my boot, which had clothes etc.

I was just so ****ed off.... i dont really care about the stuff stolen, as they are all replaceable (though it was a new wallet :() but im more ****ed at them knowing EVERYTHING about me, where i go to uni, where i live, where i work, and what my car is. Scary thought!

Anyways, so far i have quotes for:
1) Front left window: $150 (from ford....)
2) Log Books: $82.10
3) Tint replaced: $70
4) Drivers Licence: $19
5) Wallet: $80

So, they cost me all together about $400... ARGH

[Teki04]

Originally Posted by geckoxr8

Why, No car is safe. Anyway, they have a choice of a new car or an old bomb, which is more likely to have valuables in it?

True... but considering i had a convertible (easy access) Saab infront of my car, along with liberties and various other prestige cars... why mine? (which had a clear flashing light... alarm, anyone?)

And AUII SE UTE:

They sure did.... broke the window (scratched my gear knob and my dash), and they helped themselves to my wallet, log books, and they also took the spare brake light... i guess thinking it was something important and then they dumped it around the corner...

[Raptor]

This seems like a good thread to share this in, it was emailed to me some time ago;

ATTORNEY'S ADVICE - NO CHARGE (for a change)

A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his
company.

1. The next time you order cheques have only your initials (instead of
first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your
chequebook, they will not know if you sign your cheques with just your
initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your
cheques.

2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID
REQUIRED".

3. When you are writing cheques to pay on your credit card accounts, DO
NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put
the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the
number, and anyone who might be handling your cheque as it passes
through all the cheque processing channels won't have access to it.

4. Put your work phone number on your cheques instead of your home
phone. If you have a PO Box, use that instead of your home address. If
you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your
Centrelink Number printed on your cheques. You can add it if it is
necessary, but if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both
sides of each licence, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in
your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call
and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a
photocopy of my passport when travelling either here or abroad. We've
all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing
a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.

Unfortunately I, an attorney, have first-hand knowledge because my
wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieves ordered an
expensive monthly mobile phone package, applied for a VISA credit card,
had a credit line approved to buy a Dell computer, received a PIN number
from DMV to change my driving record information on-line, and more.

But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this
happens to you or someone you know:

1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately, but
the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so
you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.

2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your
credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you
were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if
there ever is one).

3. But here's what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even
thought to do this.)

Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to
place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had
never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell
me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The
alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information
was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorise new
credit.

By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft,
all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit
checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about
before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been
done, and the thieves threw my wallet away. This weekend someone
handed it in. It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.

Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact when your wallet
etc has been stolen:

1. Visa Card Australia 1800 621 199
2. Visa Card International 1800 450 346
3. Lost Travellers' Cheques 1800 127 477
4. MasterCard Australia (02) 9466 3700
5. MasterCard International 1800 120 113
ANZ FREECALL 1800 033 844
BankWest 131 718
Citibank 132 484
Coles/Myer Source 1300 306 397
Commonwealth 132 221
CUSCAL- MyCard 1300 135 538
GE Capital 1300 369 904
Members Equity 1300 654 998
National 132 265
St George 1800 028 208
Sydney Virgin 2000 1800 080 000
Westpac 1800 230 144
Woolworths Ezy Banking 137 288
6. Bankcard Australia (02) 9281 6633
7. Medicare 132 011
8. Centrelink Fraud 137 230
9. Seniors Card 1300 364 758
10. Passport 131 232

We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about
everything, but if you are willing to pass this information along, it
could really help someone.

[Leah]

Wow, theres some pretty good info there... I wouldnt think to do half that stuff. Thanks Raptor.

Teki04... bad luck on the break in, hope someone hands your wallet in. Good Luck!

[XRated]

Originally Posted by AUII_SE_Ute

Fiesta, I think you meant.

So, they just broke a window and helped themselves?

Oops. My bad. How could I make such a mistake!

I realise no car is safe, but come on, it's a bit of a surprise when a smash and grab is usually in an older vehicle that attracts more attention ie. VK, VL, VN, EA, EB etc.

[Teki04]

What is the number??? I feel so weird... as though someone could be stalking me now. Its so weird, the feeling when people know where you work, car you drive.... and where you LIVE. Scary stuff

Originally Posted by Raptor

3. But here's what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even
thought to do this.)

Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to
place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had
never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell
me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The
alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information
was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorise new
credit.

By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft,
all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit
checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about
before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been
done, and the thieves threw my wallet away. This weekend someone
handed it in. It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.

[mitch_lx]

Thats really terrible luck.

I have a suggestion for everyone which may help to prevent this.

I heard of this on a t.v documentary. i know it may be difficult sometimes because we all carry a fair bit of junk around in our cars on occasions.

Leave your glovebox OPEN, with nothing in it, people wont have to break in to see that there is nothing inside of it.

Never leave valuables in the car such as electronic gear that can be snatched easily (ie. bluetooth adaptors, ipods etc) and never leave your wallet inside.

if you absolutely must leave your wallet in your car for some odd reason, hide it inside somewhere, not just in the unprotected console.

I know it can be a pain in the ***, but always try to park it in a well lit area, and somewhere that IF YOU had to stand for a couple hours, you would feel would be quite comfortable to do so.

Although as others have said, if they want to get into your car, they will. but taking these steps i guess can minimise the chances.

Teki, good luck with the repairs, and better luck in the future

[Dark Horse]

Yeap, had happened to us, twice. With both of our Foci, both logbooks taken out of BOTH cars. In the case of the Zetec, all contents were taken out. Everything - CD's the lot. No windows were broken in the process but. No fingerprints, nothing. Wouldn't even know the cars were broken into until you got in and turned the key.

At cost to replace both logbooks as, to this day were never handed back in.

Upgrade the alarm/tint? What for? If they want it, they'll get it.

[cArSiK]

i know how you feel Teki , same thing happened to my car at my local westfield. The didnt break the window in my case , but stuffed the tibbe lock to gain access. They took my ipod and an fm transmitter that wasnt visable......theiving bastards.

[XLS99 Ute man]

why do they take logbooks
are they worth something?!

[micksta]

good question.. i'd certainly get an upgraded alarm.

maybe since u left valuable stuff in there .. they'd take the log book to find out how to hotwire the car or something ??

[Teki04]

Originally Posted by micksta

good question.. i'd certainly get an upgraded alarm.

maybe since u left valuable stuff in there .. they'd take the log book to find out how to hotwire the car or something ??

LOL, yea... i think the alarm (Fiesta have VERY bright indicators at the front... and they go ballistic when the alarm goes off) scared them.

Ok, they took my wallet and keys... but they forgot:

1) Bluetooth Headset
2) Suit Jacket worth $650
3) Two ties
4) Dad's car keys (THANK GOD THEY MISSED THIS!)
5) House keys (Again, if they had these, then i would be insecure.... i am still shaking... my fingers are still shaking when i try not to!)
6) CB Radio
7) MY CAR!
8) Two pairs of shoes that were in the boot.

So, in all reality i was lucky... but it still ****es me off about the world we live in today! There are scums that walk this earth. A friend at work had her 1 year old Golf GTI (black!) with recaros in leather keyed! Some **** hole decided he would like to leave a nice big silver line from the front light all the way to the rear bumper....

I really do hope someone does find my wallet, just so that i know that not all was lost, and that all they really cared about was the money. They even took my spare brake light globe... but dumped it 8m away.

[Teki04]

Just a quick update.... cost me $326 to put the new glass in, $86 for the log books, $70 for tint, $19 for a licence, and i may need 2 new clips and regulator (wtf?!) as they broke when the glass broke.... that costs $519 + labour.... bugger, all that for $60 and a log book!

[argonEL]

Originally Posted by Teki04

Just a quick update.... cost me $326 to put the new glass in, $86 for the log books, $70 for tint, $19 for a licence, and i may need 2 new clips and regulator (wtf?!) as they broke when the glass broke.... that costs $519 + labour.... bugger, all that for $60 and a log book!

Its a sad world that we live in...
In my books it comes down to being in the wrong place at the wrong time tho... :-/

[efgiar]

yeah well unfortunatly u were very unlucky, my brothers car got stolen (zk fairlane) and drivin from my house to yass at about 180km's an hour, it had $2000 worth of MY stereo in it, and the thief sold it for drugs. no valubals eg wallet phone etc were left in there but the car was meant to be mine 5 days after the date it went missing, thats why the stereo was in, and i was about 2 inches away from going into the cells were the ***** was staying and kickin the living crap out of him. and we didnt get compensated for the loss from the thief. but from what i heard hes doing 12 months for all of his crimes. i hope he rots