Gotta love the schadenfreude involved in this posting. Thanks for linking it, Amy.

This doesn't surprise me because it used to happen to me at a VW dealership. I kept quarters in the car for tolls. The first time it happened, the thief made change fro what he took, leaving a nickel and a dime. Very considerate. The next time, I counted before I dropped my car off to be certain. Someone took $4.50 of the $5 I left. (Maybe I wouldn't notice if he left two?) To his credit the manager gave me $5 on the spot, but the dealership lost my business.

Now I just assume anything I leave would be stolen, so I leave nothing. Sad but necessary.

When my credit card number was stolen in NYC last year, I couldn't prove which of the two places I used it led to the theft. I assumed it was the parking garage rather than the grocery store. Was that reasonable or did I unfairly stereotype?

Maybe I'm lucky then. My VW dealership doesn't hose me (that I can tell).

As far as Tony's credit card, there is a third possibility - as it's what happened to me: someone in IT dumped the transaction log and posted it on the internet for thieves to use.

"I keep a red pill vile"

Yeah, some of those red pills are really vile ...

I've always felt a bit paranoid taking my house key off the ring when giving my car in for service. Not anymore.

Brian,

Thanks for raising that possibility. I hadn't heard of that happening. I give credence to my theory because the fraudulent transactions occurred in NYC, as well. But that could be a coincidence.

P.S. The transition in my comment from dealerships to credit card theft was a little more coherent before I edited it. One more proof-reading next time.

kishke:

Don't feel like you're being paranoid. I once heard a story about a mechanic who raped a woman in her home after copying her keys when she left then at the garage.

Also, some cars come with a valet key, which won't unlock the glovebox. Every car should have one.

Nah, never feel paranoid about that kishke, I've done it for years. My key chain is two hooked together really. Car keys/fob on one ring and other keys on other linked with car keys. Makes it easy to seperate them. That or I just bring the spare set of keys when going in for repairs.

This stuff is small-potatoes compared to the "bad oxygen sensor" and other things where you have no idea if anything was wrong, or if so, whether it actually has been fixed.

....compared to the "bad oxygen sensor" and other things where you have no idea if anything was wrong,....

The one for that is to go to your local Auto Zone, Advanced Auto or similar chains. Most of them now have the code readers for the OBD-II (OnBoard Diagnostics -- the Check Engine light) that will at least let you know what the code is saying. There are some specialized codes that don't translate. But it will get you in the ball park.

I have a house up for sale right now that is furnished but vacant. Like the three little bears, I came home to find that someone had been sleeping in my bed. Well, not sleeping probably... there was a condom wrapper in the bathroom trashcan.

The one for that is to go to your local Auto Zone, Advanced Auto or similar chains. Most of them now have the code readers for the OBD-II (OnBoard Diagnostics -- the Check Engine light) that will at least let you know what the code is saying. There are some specialized codes that don't translate. But it will get you in the ball park.

It's also possible these days to get one yourself. I bought a Scan Gauge II from amazon.com to more precisely measure my gas mileage, and it's helped me to drive more efficiently. As a side benefit it reduces the anxiety caused by the "check engine" light.

It's also possible these days to get one yourself.

I was speaking from the frugal viewpoint. If I had the extra $80 - $200 lying around I would get one myself.

The other possibility is to buy a connector for a laptop. If you have a technically enabled friend, you can make your own. Or by premade kits for laptops.

I have a co-worker that made his own scanner. Works like a charm.

"I've always felt a bit paranoid taking my house key off the ring when giving my car in for service."

Why do you have them together at all?

Your car has the registration in it. If I stole your car, I know you're not going to beat me to the address on it. I might as well go see of anyone else is home.

Insurance isn't going to replace your loss, no matter what they say; you're still going to hurt.

So, set things up so you don't.

Rad - that could be fatal. Some of us have dogs, and not all dogs like strangers.

Good points.

Heh. Your dog is not a big obstacle to a professional. Don't act like a dog prevents all crime.

No matter the subject, when it comes to preparation against bad things happening, somebody always pipes up and says, "Not to me!"

Well, good. I'm glad you're prepared. Really.

Fatal? Hope you have a good lawyer. Somebody's widow will own your things and put you out on the street.

-----

But, back to cars - this is why you need to know how your car works. It's not like a dealer's service department is magically more honest than your local guys. Issues with particular car components can be found all over the Web. Be very careful about warranty terms, too. It does you little good to have a warranty that doesn't cover a $300 "diagnosis" charge.

Rad -

Nothing is an obstacle to a professional. Locks only keep honest men out. Alarm systems are a joke. But the typical burglar wants to get in and out. They don't want the noise of a dog attracting attention. They don't want teeth in their ass.

And as far as knowing how your car works? Good luck.

I'm a computer professional, and I can only begin to understand what's going on under that hood. Engines aren't as simple as they used to be. I don't have the equipment to test the Mass Air Flow sensor, do you? I have a VW, and the bulk of the parts are dealer-only. And even the best techs can only diagnose so much without taking the computer's word for it.

I can wrench on my motorcycle all afternoon, but the most complex piece is probably the carburetor. No computers, no complex sensors, no emissions equipment, no ABS.

The Jetta? Not so much.

Glen Campbell with Alzheimer's. My parents loved him. Oh that hurts