In recent months, many posts have offered advice on social media. Many of them warn you that you could be in danger if you see a wire on your car’s door handle, the letter 1F scrawled in the snow, a coat hook in a bathroom, a USB charger in a hotel room, or even a piece of cheese on your car.
It is obvious that the new warning, which has just been issued, needs to be taken seriously.
The driver must drive carefully with a water bottle in the wheel well. To steal the car or the driver’s possessions, it is allegedly common practice for thieves to place empty containers in wheel wells, typically on the passenger side.
The trick works because the unwary driver will start their car but halt it as soon as they hear the terrifying crack of the broken bottle. A driver may get out of their vehicle to investigate while it is still in motion because they are unsure of the noise and are concerned that their car has been damaged.
Thieves strike as soon as the driver circles the vehicle and crouches next to a tire. They emerge from a nearby hiding place and either steal the contents of the car or flee while the driver is preoccupied.
According to reports, South Africa is where the water bottle trick first appeared, and since then, similar incidents are likely to have happened there as well. Snopes has no way of disproving this claim, even though there is debate over whether these warnings come true. This one is entirely plausible.
It’s best to be prepared for both possible outcomes. Turn off the engine, keep your key close by, and lock the doors if you investigate the noise, even if you want to circle your car.
