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Three anti-crime organizations have asked YouTube to take down all movies that train individuals steal Kia and Hyundai vehicles. The organizations – the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau (NICB), the Coalition In opposition to Insurance coverage Fraud, and the Worldwide Affiliation of Particular Investigation Items (IASIU) – made their request in response to a spike in thefts of those autos.
The Freeway Loss Information Institute (HLDI) late last year reported that bargain-priced Kia and Hyundai autos had been being focused for theft at charges just like muscle automobiles and SUVs, based mostly on an evaluation of 2021 insurance coverage claims. The spike is due, partially, to the truth that the fashions being stolen don’t have digital immoblizers that cease thieves from bypassing the ignition.
Some thieves have even made educational movies – shared on platforms like YouTube and TikTok – on carry out the theft process utilizing only a screwdriver and a USB cable. Since these movies began showing on social media, police departments throughout the U.S. have reported drastic will increase in Kia and Hyundai thefts.
In Chicago, for instance, the place solely 328 Kias had been stolen in 2021, greater than 3,500 had been stolen final yr, CBS Chicago reported.
“On a regular basis customers are being victimized by criminals utilizing social media platforms to be taught their latest unlawful methods and strategies,” mentioned David Glawe, president and CEO of the NICB. “Some platforms will not be doing sufficient to guard harmless victims from pointless hurt.”
Celeste Dodson, president of IASIU, added, “When a car is stolen, it's usually not the top of the crime however the starting. Car thefts are related to a large number of prison exercise, together with insurance coverage fraud. The price of these crimes is then handed on to customers by way of greater premiums.”
Non-public-passenger auto insurance coverage premium charges are experiencing upward strain attributable to a wide range of elements, together with:
- Rising insurer losses attributable to rising accident frequency and severity;
- Extra fatalities and accidents on the street, resulting in elevated lawyer involvement in claims;
- Persevering with supply-chain points, resulting in rising prices for automobiles, substitute components, and labor; and
- Extra expensive auto repairs attributable to safer, extra technologically refined autos.
Thefts of autos or parts like catalytic converters solely enhance that strain to lift charges.
The one method to flip that strain down is to scale back claims and losses by lowering accidents and thefts. Making it tougher for individuals to discover ways to break the legislation and trigger harm by watching on-line movies can be a small however wanted step in that path.
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