At first glance, finding a penny stuck in your car door handle might seem like a prank or just a random oddity. After all, it’s just a coin—how threatening could it be? But what if this small, seemingly innocent object is actually part of a larger and more dangerous scheme? If you’ve ever returned to your parked car and noticed a coin, like a penny or dime, jammed into the door handle—especially on the passenger side—you need to read this.
Because in recent years, this odd occurrence has become associated with a disturbing tactic used by car thieves and criminals.
🚗 What Does It Actually Mean?
According to law enforcement officials and security experts, a coin stuck in your car’s passenger door handle can be an indicator that your vehicle has been marked as a target. Here’s how the trick works:
🔓 1. Disabling the Lock Mechanism
Thieves often place a coin, especially a penny, in the handle of the passenger door to disrupt the car’s central locking system. In some models, this can prevent the car from locking properly, even if the driver uses the remote or key fob to secure the vehicle. You might think the doors are locked, but one remains slightly ajar or unlocked due to the jammed mechanism.
Once you walk away, assuming your car is safe, the thief returns and gains easy access to the vehicle.
👀 2. Marking a Vehicle for Return
In other cases, the coin serves as a marker. Criminals will “tag” multiple cars in a parking lot by lodging coins into door handles. They then observe which vehicles remain untouched for extended periods—perfect for a break-in or even car theft. If the coin remains after hours, it signals that the vehicle’s owner hasn’t returned, making it a low-risk target.
🛑 Why the Passenger Side?
Most people never think to check the passenger side when locking their vehicle. This makes it the ideal spot for thieves to place the penny unnoticed. While you’re focused on loading groceries or herding kids into the backseat, a quick flick of the wrist from someone nearby is all it takes to jam the coin into place.
🧠 What You Should Do Immediately
If you ever find a coin or any foreign object lodged in your car door, especially the handle, take it seriously. Here’s what you should do:
✅ 1. Inspect All Door Handles
Before getting in, walk around your car and check every handle, especially the passenger side. Remove any suspicious object immediately.
✅ 2. Try Locking and Unlocking the Car
Make sure the car is actually locking. Lock and unlock the doors using your fob and test each handle to confirm it’s secured.
✅ 3. Report the Incident
If you find a coin or notice tampering, report it to local authorities or the parking lot’s security. It could be part of a larger pattern happening in your area.
✅ 4. Check for GPS Trackers
There have been cases where thieves place GPS trackers on cars to follow them later. While inspecting your vehicle, check around the undercarriage, inside the wheel wells, and behind bumpers.
📍Where Has This Happened?
This method has been reported in several cities across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. It’s often seen in:
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Shopping mall parking lots
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Airport long-term parking
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Hotel parking garages
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Events or concerts with large public lots
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Apartment complex lots
Criminals take advantage of busy, distracted individuals in crowded settings.
🧰 Other Tricks to Watch For
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