You’re rushing out to your car—coffee in hand, kids in tow, already late for work—when you notice something odd: a penny wedged in your door handle. Your first thought? “Weird… must’ve fallen out of someone’s pocket.”
But then you hear the rumors: “It’s a car thief’s trick!” “They’re testing if your car is unlocked!” “It’s a signal to an accomplice!”
So… should you panic? Call the police? Or just toss the penny and go about your day?
Let’s cut through the fear-mongering and get to the truth—because the reality is more nuanced (and far less sinister) than viral warnings suggest.
The Viral Claim: “The Penny Trick” Explained
The story goes like this:
A thief slips a penny or nickel into the gap of your passenger-side door handle. When you try to lock your car with your key fob or manual lock, the door seems to lock—but the penny prevents it from fully engaging. You walk away thinking your car is secure… but it’s not. The thief returns later, opens the door, and steals your belongings (or your car).
Some versions even claim the penny is a distraction tactic: you struggle to unlock the door, get frustrated, and while you’re distracted, an accomplice strikes.
Sounds clever, right? But here’s the problem: it’s largely a myth—with a tiny grain of truth.
The Reality: Why This “Trick” Rarely Works (Especially on Modern Cars)
✅ On Older Cars (Pre-2000s):
