Carfax: Catalytic Converter Theft: Which Vehicles Are Targeted Most Often
Catalytic converter theft has exploded in the past few years.
Thieves are removing catalytic converters from vehicles large and small, often cutting them away from directly beneath the vehicle. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, which tracks crimes reported to insurance companies, the number of reported catalytic converter thefts increased from roughly 1,300 in 2018 to more than 14,000 in 2020, the most recent year for which data is available. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, which tracks crimes reported to insurance companies, the number of reported catalytic converter thefts increased from roughly 1,300 in 2018 to more than 14,000 in 2020, the most recent year for which data is available. The reason? The costs of the precious metals in catalytic converters have skyrocketed in recent years, making converters more attractive to thieves. "There is a clear connection between times of crisis, limited resources, and disruption of the supply chain that drives these thefts,” the NICB reports.
Read the full story below: