Did you know that a car is stolen every 24 seconds in the United States according to the Insurance Information Institute? Auto theft is not as grand as the game series will lead you to believe. Well, at least not for the victim who is not only out of a car, but also lost whatever else may have been in the vehicle at the time. One would think that with all of the new anti-theft features that are installed in every new car model, auto theft would not be a problem. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

There are several lists out there which tell what types of cars are frequently stolen and why they are common targets. So, of course the logical thing to do is not buy those specific vehicles. However, preventing car theft is not so easily accomplished solely by those means. Edmunds.com has comprised a list of the top 10 most common techniques thieves use to steal vehicles and ways car owners can potentially protect themselves from theft.

1. Bump against the car to check for a car alarm. Since it seems like everything from a loud Harley to a rumbling garbage truck can set off a car alarm, people have been conditioned to tune them out. Instead of a motion-sensitive car alarm, use one that has a pager that will notify you as soon as your alarm is activated.

2. Break the window or jimmy the lock to gain entry into a locked car. Don’t tempt car thieves. Keep valuables out of plain sight. Take them with you or store them in the trunk. Also, if you have a stereo with a removable face plate, take it with you instead of tucking it away in the glovebox.

3. Cut the steering wheel itself if there’s a steering wheel lock. Instead of locking just your steering wheel, “lock” your car’s ability to go by using a starter disable switch and putting it in a place where only you can get to it.

4. Look for exposed wiring that can be cut or for the central unit of the car alarm to deactivate it. Instead of going to a big retail chain store, have your car alarm installed by a professional car alarm installer, preferably a reasonably shady one. Unlike retail chain employees, these experts know what it takes to make your car elusive to crooks.

5. Look for car alarm decals to figure out which method to use to eliminate the alarm. Never display stickers that advertise what sort of car alarm you have, or audio system for that matter. Consider using a hood lock cable so the thief can’t get to your battery or car alarm mechanism.

6. Jump into an unattended running car while the owner is at the ATM, dropping off videos, etc. Never leave your keys in the ignition even for a quick errand. Car theft is a crime of opportunity, so don’t make it easy for them to grab yours.

7. Look for the car’s title, registration or anything with a home address on it. Keep your registration and insurance information with you and never leave personal information in your car.

8. Stake out sporting events, movie theaters and shopping center parking lots for the car of your choice since they offer the largest variety of cars in one area. Whenever possible, park in lots and garages that have security and/or parking lot attendants. If not, don’t park in the farthest corner of the lot but rather near the entrance of these facilities to insure the most foot traffic (and the most potential witnesses). Also, opt for paying the extra couple of dollars for the monitored parking lot instead of using the free parking on the less-trafficked side streets.

9. Find the second set of keys the owner “hid” in the car. Don’t leave spare keys in your car or in a magnetic box attached to the underside of your car. Thieves know where all the “hiding places” are.

10. Copy specific vehicle information and take it to the manufacturer to get a replacement key made. Instead of VIN etching the major parts of your vehicle, which doesn’t turn most thieves off, drop your business card into the doors through the window slots to identify your car as yours.

While all of these tips are great theft deterrents, if a thief really wants your car he will do whatever it takes to get it regardless of any anti-theft devices the car may have. Still though, the more measures you take to safe guard your vehicle, the less likely it will become a target of theft because of the time and effort it would take to steal it.

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