I work in a community center and got this in a e-mail recently, and it's been happening in Boston and several other major cities. It's a new thing but a lot of car jackers find it effective and easy to do. What happens is that the car jacker would put a piece of paper, usually something bright on your rear windshield. Then they would wait someone very close by until the owner comes to the car. Sometimes the owners would get in the car, start the engine and then when they are ready to move out they would look in the mirrors to get ready to leave their parking spot. When they see a piece of paper in the rear window, they would naturally get out of the car go to the back to remove it. This is when the car jacker takes the opportunity and rush into your car and drive it away. This has happened several times already. So if you guys ever notice a piece of paper on your rear windshield. Do not get out of the car. Drive to a safe location and then remove the paper. You can turn off your engine and then go out, but the car jacker may use force and I wouldn't want people to get hurt. So guys, just pay attention out there.

 

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/carjack.asp

http://www.hoax-slayer.com/car-jacking-warning.html

 

Hmmm thanx 4 the info

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Interesting info, but check Snopes.

While this *may* work, the links above show that this is yet another Urban Myth being propagated by emails and scary language, copy 7 of your friends and you will receive a surprise (insert sappy sad puppy face here), etc. etc.

When a good friend sends me one of these (often several iterations in a day) I send them the following:

"While the sentiment behind these emails is great and it's comforting to know that people care, sometimes checking Snopes before forwarding is as (or more) useful in managing both time and level of concern."

So, thanks for forwarding the message, remember to check facts before forwarding, but the concern for our little community is certainly appreciated.

 

I love your response suggestion dixon.

That is going into my sig file.

 

actually this happened to one of the people in our agency ... Happened in Chinatown, Boston .

 

True or not true, always check your car before you get in it. Carjackers aside, don't you check to see if you've been hit, keyed, flat tire???

 

Off topic: I have an aunt who sends this stuff to me all the time so I sent her a similar response and included links to several of the Urban Legend websites. Now I get the emails-along with a note asking me to check them out for her.

 

I think the big problem is leaving your MINI running without you in it. I've heard of stories from northern cities where folks have started their car and left it to warm up only to come out a few minutes later and have no car.

 

Yep. I've been designated the urban legend checker at work ever since I corrected someone who sent a university wide email talking about people hiding under cars and slashing at ankles. It's annoying to say the least.

 

Simply attach a link to www.snopes.com. It's only your action item if you choose to make it so.

 

Yup, especially if it's been sitting in a parking lot/ramp for a period of time. I always make a complete circuit to check tire levels, look for dings, etc. - anything out of the ordinary. More evidence of MINI OCD, I guess...

 

Seems there's always at least ONE person that "knows somebody this happened to" when these bogus e-mails start making the rounds. Cracks me up.

 

For the original post, I have a rear wiper, for the under car ankle slashers....well I'd probably be pissed at someone too if I were logged under their MINI.

 

What came first, the idea or the actual incident?

 

I lowered my car specifically so no ankle-slashers could fit under there.

 

So the lower roll center, more responsive handling, and appearance change were just side benefits?

And yeah, car thieves have been stealing cars left running by inattentive owners since, well, the first inattentive car owner.

 

I'm gonna put fliers in the rear windows and lurk around suspiciously at the local shopping centers just to freak people out. Thanks for the idea!

 

My grandma always sends stupid forwarded emails. I hate them. Its sad that there are so many people stupid enough to believe whatever they read in an email (sorry grandma ).

 

...and these emails tend to be ripe with viruses and worms...