Consumer fraud alert - auto theft: GEICO urges consumers to take these steps to prevent auto theft.

SAN DIEGO -- GEICO advises auto owners in California to take heed of the National Insurance Crime Bureau's (NICB) latest report that says California is home to six of the top 10 auto theft locations in the nation.

According to Nancy Pierce, regional vice president of GEICO's San Diego location, "A big part of our job at GEICO is providing safety measures to protect our consumers and prevent fraud. Now more than ever, we're spreading the word about what people can do to prevent their vehicles from being stolen here in California."

Pierce recommended these steps to help reduce the chances your car will be targeted:

1)  Keep your vehicle locked at all times, even while driving. Close
    all windows and sunroofs, no matter how hot it is.

2)  Never leave your keys in the car.

3)  If possible, park in busy, well-lit areas. Thieves prefer to work
    in the dark. Leave your car in park or in gear with the wheels
    turned toward the curb or some other obstruction, so thieves won't
    be able to tow it easily.

4)  Avoid leaving valuables inside your vehicle where passersby can
    see them.

5)  Install an anti-theft system in your vehicle if it doesn't have
    one. A mechanism that locks onto the steering wheel can be a very
    visible sign that you've taken steps to protect your vehicle.
    Ignition cut-off systems prevent a car from being started. Some
    new cars come with passive alarms that activate automatically when
    the key is removed from the ignition. One system emits a signal
    that can be tracked by the police. Thieves are reluctant to steal
    vehicles that can be tracked and recovered quickly. Many insurers
    offer discounts for these types of systems.

6)  Beware of the "bump-and-rob" technique. Carjackers bump your car
    from the rear, then steal it when you get out to look for damage.
    When stopped at a traffic light, leave room to maneuver around the
    vehicle ahead if you need to. If another car bumps yours and you
    feel threatened, drive to a populated area. If you have a cell
    phone, call the police for assistance.

7)  Do not leave registration or title in the car. Too often a car
    thief is pulled over and gets away from the police because he or
    she can produce the auto registration. If multiple drivers use the
    vehicle, the best suggestion would be to hide the registration in
    a secret location that only the owners know.

8)  Look around. Be aware of your surroundings, especially in garages,
    parking lots and gas stations.

9)  Know where you're going. Avoid known high-crime areas even if the
    alternate route takes a little longer.

10) If confronted by a carjacker, do not resist. Cars can be replaced;
    you can't.

11) Have your car's vehicle identification number (VIN) etched on each
    of the windows. Car thieves want to get off cheap. They don't want
    to go to the expense of replacing all the glass.

Dane Blommaert, a GEICO special investigations unit manager in San Diego, added, "In the fall, GEICO is holding a summit in California to discuss what we can do to reduce the number of auto thefts. We are meeting with members of law enforcement, the insurance industry, and the NICB to focus on identifying needed legislation, public awareness efforts, and support from the insurance industry."

The NICB reports that while vehicle theft has decreased over the last two years, thieves still steal approximately 1.2 million vehicles a year in the United States, or one every 26 seconds. For more information about the 2005 top 10 metropolitan statistics for auto theft, please go to www.nicb.com.

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is the fourth largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States. It provides auto insurance coverage for more than 7 million policyholders and insures more than 11 million vehicles. GEICO is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies. Rated A++ for financial stability by A.M. Best Company, GEICO keeps its rates low by dealing directly with the customer. GEICO provides consumers with outstanding sales, service and claims capabilities on its geico.com Web site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Consumers may also contact the company at its toll free 1-800-841-3000 number. 15 minutes could save you 15% on car insurance. For more information, go to www.geico.com.