If there is one point we try to drive home, it is: Use your head. A very high percentage of our thefts are because people don't lock their cars and make it difficult for opportunists.

They're sold to consumers as perfectly good used vehicles, when in fact they are badly damaged because of water exposure, and people are going to get ripped off.

Currently we're investigating to determine if any law was violated.

The fraud comes in when you get vehicles owned by big-time salvage guys or small-time knuckleheads who wash the title through states that don't have strong title laws.

It's entirely possible, I just don't know.

Don't leave your car running while you run into a 7-Eleven to get a coffee.

It's amazing how many thefts still occur from oversights such as leaving the car running when you go into a store.

There isn't anyone, to my knowledge, who looks beyond ... the auto-theft rates. There's no scientific or analytical review of this data.

We don't have any specific information that there's a threat against any domestic target. Just as a precaution, we sent an advisory to all law enforcement agencies.