We've been following the nationwide skyrocketing rise in catalytic converter theft for some time now. The National Insurance Crime Bureau, which tracks theft data, says converter thefts continue to rise. It's a trend that's been going on since the start of the pandemic along with a drastic increase in vehicle crime across the United States. The NICB says vehicle thefts, carjackings, and catalytic converter thefts are all nearing record highs.
Efforts To Fight Converter Theft
In November, the U.S. Justice Department announced a takedown of a nationwide catalytic converter theft ring (which also involved the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Investigations investigative arm), with arrests, searches, and seizures taking place in California, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, and Virginia.
There is also pending legislation in both the U.S. House and Senate designed to combat thefts on a nationwide scale.
California, Texas, New York, Colorado, and Hawaii are among states that have passed laws to try to curb the problem, with others like Minnesota working on doing so. New laws in California went into effect January 1, 2023. Cities too are taking action. Just this week, a city in North Texas made possessing a catalytic converter a crime punishable with a $500 fine. In February, the Atlanta City Council also passed an ordinance to combat thefts.
Another way to deter theft is to etch VIN numbers on converters to make them less attractive to thieves. The NICB recently announced that it is partnering with businesses across the U.S. to hold VIN etching events to help protect consumers. After the VIN numbers are etched on the converter, they are spray painted to further deter thieves.
“From supply chain disruptions to the exploding market value of precious metals, catalytic converters have become a prime target for thieves across the country,” said David J. Glawe, President and CEO of the NICB. “By attending a local VIN etching event, drivers can add another layer of protection for their vehicles and proactively help deter these crimes from occurring in the first place. ”
NICB, along with partners at Midas in Richmond, Virginia, and Shaheen Chevrolet in Lansing, Michigan, recently held VIN etching events in their respective communities.
“I had zero anticipation of a response like this,” said Mark Smith, owner of Midas of Richmond. “The events are blowing up at our stores, and I mean that in the best of ways. We’re getting multiple, multiple calls a day.”
Demand was so high, appointments were booked within hours of announcing the new initiative.
“The more we can make our customers aware of the problem and offer them a solution, the better we can fight this crime,” said Ralph Shaheen, President of Shaheen Automotive Group. “Etching the converter is a start to prevention. It’s inexpensive, only takes a few minutes, and is a great service to our customers.”
Why Catalytic Converters?
Thieves are targeting catalytic converters, which can easily be stolen in less than a minute, for their high value precious metals. You can see a theft in process in this recent Twitter post from a police department in Canada.
What does catalytic converter theft look like? See for yourself.
— Delta Police Department (@deltapolice) February 28, 2023
If you hear this sound in the night, call 9-1-1 if you think it's suspicious.
Thefts of catalytic converters are on the rise, with 249 related files generated in Delta throughout 2022.
#DeltaPolice pic.twitter.com/k9foNdxMrZ
Thefts can also leave consumers with costly repair and replacement bills. Back in 2021, NICB said it could cost consumers between $1,000 to $3,000 to get their vehicle fixed. You can see some converters confiscated by police in Lewisville, Texas last month in the social media post below.
Theft Data
The NICB has reported that catalytic converter thefts increased 1,215% between 2019 and 2022. The converters contain precious metals, specifically rhodium, palladium, and platinum, which have skyrocketed in value. NICB cites January 2023 data from KITCO.com:
- Rhodium: $12,300 per ounce
- Palladium: $1,784 per ounce
- Platinum: $940 per ounce
The NICB says while the value of the metals contained in catalytic converters is high, thieves will often receive $50-to-$250 per catalytic converter they turn in to recycling facilities.
VIN Etching Events
If you are interested in a local NICB Catalytic Converter Etching event, visit: www.nicb.org/news/regional-news. If you don't see an events currently scheduled in your area, the NICB suggests you contact a muffler shop that can etch your vehicle’s VIN on the converter, and spray it with a highly visible high-heat paint so the NICB and law enforcement to track the converters. You can also check with your local law enforcement to see if they have any etching events on the calendar.
If your catalytic converter is stolen, call law enforcement and your insurer immediately.
Photo Credit: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Press Release.