I think it's an urban legend, Dee Tee.
---
Joan

< <snipped> >

Actually, according to Snopes, it is an urban legend

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/carjack.asp

But I would rather read an urban legend, then have it happen for real
because someone thought it *might* be a hoax.

Thanks for thinking of us (me).

Smokie Darling (Annie) - who rarely goes anywhere alone anymore, and
always walks up to, or around, the rear of my car, just in case.

personally, i love catching people trying to put flyers on the windows of my
vehicles.  i love guilting them bigtime about it and/or getting rid of my
negative energy---"wasting trees; littering; don't you see my handicap
plaquard and know that you are making things harder for me?; do you see a
'post handbills' sign anywhere on this vehicle?; did i buy this car for my
convenience or yours?; i charge rental fees for advertizing space on my
vehicles--pay me.; do you also come back and pick up all the flyers that
wind up thrown on the pavement?; sorry, you might want to keep that, as i
never learned how to read; tell you what, i'll take your trash, if you'll
take mine" and on and on, depends on my mood, which generally isn't positive
about window flyers.LOL

kate

DeeTee wrote:

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Crime (Carjacking)

Claim:   Parking lot carjackers are placing flyers on the rear
windshields of automobiles, then taking the cars when drivers
step out of their vehicles to remove the flyers.

Status:   False.

Example:   [Collected on the Internet, 2004]

   Imagine: You walk across the parking lot, unlock your
   car and get inside. Then you lock all your doors,
   start the engine and shift into REVERSE. Habit! You
   look into the rear-view window to back out of your
   parking space and you notice a piece of paper, some
   sort of advertisement stuck to your rear window. So,
   you shift into PARK, unlock your doors and jump out of
   your vehicle to remove that paper (or whatever it is)
   that is obstructing your view . . . when you reach the
   back of your car, that is when the car-jackers jump
   out of nowhere . . . jump into your car and take off -
   your engine was running, your purse is in the car, and
   they practically mow you down as they speed off in
   your car.

   BE AWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME

   Just drive away and remove the paper that is stuck to
   your window later . . . and be thankful that you read
   this email and that you forwarded it to your friends.

Origins:   This alert has been kicked from inbox to inbox
since February 2004.   Although we classified it as
Undetermined in our initial write-up just after the
warning appeared (because at that early stage not enough
was then known about it), we feel it's time to move this
alert squarely into the False category.

Since February 2004 we have been watching the news most
carefully for any sign of an actual carjacking - either
perpetrated or merely attempted - that followed the script
outlined in the widely-spread e-mailed caution. We have yet
to see evidence of so much as one. Were this "lure motorists
from their vehicles by leaving flyers on their cars' rear
windows, then drive off with their buggies" method in play,
that surely would not have been the case.

... Age is like underwear -- it keeps creeping up on you.

I usually back INTO a parking space since I have some trouble turning my
head enough to safely back out (when you're in the driving area and
backing in, other people can see you better). That way, all I have to do
is drive forward to get out.

The other thing is to get into the habit of checking our your car before
you get in to make sure nobody dinged your car or let the air out of your
tires while you were away.

If you see people loitering around the parking lot or acting strange in
any way, call 9-1-1. Most police departments prefer to check out
suspicious things BEFORE they become emergencies. (Cell phones are handy
gadgets) I've done this a few times, and the police dispatcher thanked me
for my "trouble".

Safe driving (and everything else)
Norman

P.S. I'm "Mr. Bones" because I play the bones for Irish and American
music; though not as much lately since my wrist now keeps a counter beat
with its cracking noises.