Don't let Black Friday deals turn to steals

After Thanksgiving meals and celebrations have come to an end, many American's will head out to shop, as retailers offer deals for Black Friday. As shoppers hop from store to store, loading cars and trucks with merchandise, vehicles can become prime targets.

While Thanksgiving ranks as the second lowest holiday for vehicle theft (according to data from 2017), the story changes when we look to the next day, Black Friday.  Comparing the numbers, in 2017, there were 1,777 auto thefts reported on Thanksgiving. On Black Friday, that number jumped to 2,161. Here is a look at Black Friday data from the last four years:

2014  -  1,838 thefts

2015  -  2,244 thefts

2016  -  2,262 thefts

2017  -  2,161 thefts

NICB reminds drivers this holiday season to make sure your vehicle is locked when unattended. Roll up the windows completely. Don't leave spare keys or FOBS inside. Take a moment and be sure to hide your valuables from view. Even an empty backpack looks appealing to a thief from the outside.

If stopping at several locations to shop, remember to first store your packages in your trunk before leaving one destination for the next. Thieves are known to watch shoppers who place items in their trunks and then head for the stores—that invites trouble.

Here's how the 11 official holidays stacked up in 2017. See the complete holiday theft report.

  1. New Year's Day (2,469)
  2. President's Day (2,312)
  3. Halloween (2,297)
  4. Memorial Day (2,290)
  5. Labor Day (2,180)
  6. Valentine's Day (2,169)
  7. Independence Day (2,124)
  8. New Year's Eve (1,962)
  9. Christmas Eve (2,054)
  10. Thanksgiving (1,777)
  11. Christmas Day (1,664)

Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it by calling toll-free 800.TEL.NICB (800.835.6422) or submitting a form on our website.

About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to combatting and preventing insurance crime through Intelligence, Analytics, and Operations; Education and Crime Prevention; and Strategy, Policy, and Advocacy. The NICB is supported by more than 1,200 property-casualty insurers, self-insureds, rental car, vehicle finance, and auto auctions. To learn more, visit www.nicb.org.