The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) just announced the top 10 stolen vehicles in Canada, and the Ford F-Series trucks continue to top the list. Thieves love these light- and medium-duty trucks and often use them to fund other criminal activities.
Ford F350 trucks are particularly appealing to thieves in Alberta. In Ontario, criminals target the Chevrolet Tahoe, Silverado and Suburban, while in Atlantic Canada thieves most often steal the Nissan Maxima, Silverado, and Jeep Liberty, according to Henry Tso, Vice President of Investigative Services at IBC.
There were six percent more incidents of vehicle theft in 2017 than in 2016—about 85,000 incidents in total.
Stolen vehicles are a major concern because some consumers purchase them without being aware of their history. They are also used for scrap parts and sometimes to commit other crimes. Thieves are also known to steal what’s inside a vehicle, which could result in insurance fraud or identity theft.
Over the past year, six provinces have seen a jump in vehicle thefts: New Brunswick (up 28 per cent), Ontario (up 15 per cent), Quebec (up seven per cent), Alberta (up six per cent), British Columbia (up 2 per cent), and Newfoundland and Labrador (up one per cent).
Vehicles are more commonly stolen around the holidays, with New Year’s Day being the top day for thefts. Tso recommends people be extra watchful this time of year, particularly if you travel with gifts in your vehicle.
IBC believes stolen vehicles are often used as part of a “trade-based money laundering scheme.” Criminals swipe the vehicles and then use the earnings to bankroll other illicit activities.
Unfortunately, stolen vehicles are often not returned to their owners. Organized crime members regularly export the vehicles, particularly out of Montreal and Toronto.
Canada’s Top 10 Stolen Vehicles
- 2007 Ford F350 SD 4WD PU
- 2006 Ford F350 SD 4WD PU
- 2005 Ford F350 SD 4WD PU
- 2004 Ford F350 SD 4WD PU
- 2003 Ford F350 SD 4WD PU
- 2006 Ford F250 SD 4WD PU
- 2001 Ford F350 SD 4WD PU
- 2000 Ford F250 SD 4WD PU
- 2015 Lexus GX460 4DR AWD SUV
- 2001 Ford F250 SD 4WD PU
