You walk back to your car and notice something strange—a penny wedged tightly into the passenger-side door handle. It looks harmless, maybe a prank. But it could be a warning sign of a theft attempt.

Criminals have used this simple trick to gain easy access to vehicles.

Here’s how it works:
A thief slips a coin—often a penny—into the passenger-side door handle, where drivers are less likely to notice. When you unlock your car, you may only unlock the driver’s door. The jammed handle prevents the other doors from locking properly. Once you walk away or leave the car unattended, the thief can open the compromised door and steal valuables.

What makes this trick dangerous is how subtle it is. It’s silent, takes seconds to set up, and often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.

If you ever spot a coin or object lodged in your door handle, remove it immediately before getting into your car. Lock and unlock all doors to make sure they work properly. Stay alert—thieves sometimes watch from nearby to see if their trick succeeds. If you notice multiple cars affected or suspicious behavior, report it to security or local police.

To protect yourself, park in well-lit areas, glance over your car before unlocking it, use extra security like a steering wheel lock, and never leave valuables in plain sight.

A small detail like a penny can make a big difference. Awareness is your best defense.