If You Find a Coin Stuck in Your Car Door Handle, Call the Police Immediately

June 4, 2026 by daily

Beware of the “coin-in-the-door” scam—here’s how it works, why it’s dangerous, and what to do if you find one to prevent theft.

How the Coin Trick Works

In recent years, law enforcement has warned of a clever tactic used by car thieves: inserting a coin or small flat object into a car’s door handle to prevent it from locking properly.

Here’s the process:

The thief selects a parked car and discreetly inserts a coin into the slot of the passenger-side or rear door handle—less visible to the driver.
When the owner gets in and locks the car with the remote, the affected door doesn’t lock fully.
The driver, unaware, leaves the car unattended.
The thief, watching from a distance, simply opens the unlocked door to steal valuables—or even the vehicle.

Why It’s Dangerous

Quick and silent – No broken glass or visible damage.
Hard to notice – Most drivers assume all doors have locked.
Works in busy areas – Thieves can operate without drawing attention.

How to Protect Yourself

Check all door handles before driving away.
Manually test the locks after activating the central locking.
Park in well-lit, secure locations.
Consider an alarm system or additional locks.
Report any suspicious objects in a door handle to the police immediately—it could signal that thieves are targeting cars in the area.

The Importance of Reporting

If you find a coin or foreign object in your door handle:

Do not remove it immediately—first take a clear photo.
Call the police to report it.
Your report can help authorities track theft patterns and warn other drivers.

Staying alert to small details can make all the difference. By spreading awareness of this scam, we can help prevent thefts and keep more drivers safe.