GALLERY: Most stolen vehicles in Georgia

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Most stolen vehicles in Georgia

Honda Accords built in the mid-1990s are still the most alluring to thieves, based on data presented by the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s annual “Hot Wheels” report on most stolen vehicles for 2013.

Many of the most popular stolen vehicles are targeted because there are millions still on the road and their interchangeable parts are in demand.

The FBI, which collects the data, expects overall auto thefts to be under 700,000 nationally for 2013, a 3 percent drop from 2012.

The NICB said 1.6 million vehicles were stolen in 1991. Thefts have fallen more than 50 percent since 1991.

The NICB says many thefts occur because drivers make it easy for thieves, such as leaving a key in the ignition and doors unlocked.

A major reduction in thefts is the result of more safety features on vehicles, including smart keys and tracking devices.

Law enforcement agencies are also more aggressive in fighting vehicle thefts, including planting “bait” vehicles to lure would-be thieves and then recording the theft for evidence in court.

The NICB estimates a vehicle is stolen every 45 seconds in this country.

If you’re being offered a normally pricey vehicle at an unbelievable discount, there may be more to the deal than you think.

“A seller may have a title and VIN (vehicle identification number), but those numbers can be counterfeit,” said Frank Scafidi, an NICB spokesman. “The biggest clue should be the cost.”

The NICB report examines vehicle theft data submitted by law enforcement to the National Crime Information Center and determines the vehicle make, model and model year most reported stolen in 2013.

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Honda Accords built in the mid-1990s are still the most alluring to thieves, based on data presented by the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s annual “Hot Wheels” report on most stolen vehicles for 2013.

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