It has been reported that nearly 40% of transponder owners don’t appropriately place their transponder on the windshield of their car. The reason for that is simple - owners are afraid that their transponder is going to be stolen, and the sad fact is that that is not an illogical concern. Transponder theft happens more often than you’d think. Those little boxes which are velcroed to the inside of your windshield are such a temptation to snatch. And with the warmer months now approaching, you’re probably making it easier to allow that to happen, simply by keeping the car windows open - even just a crack - to let the air in (or out, as the case may be).

Unless you’ve got your Rhodesian Ridgeback sitting in the front seat waiting for your return, you should always close your car windows when you’re not inside, even if you’re gone only for a few minutes. A passer-by can reach in your car without even slowing his gait, and grab hold of that transponder you’ve got placed near the corner of the window. Then what? You’ll probably not even notice that it’s missing, and there you are flying down the highway (probably going faster than you safely should, since you’re approaching a toll booth!) and expecting the green light to flash that your transponder has been authorized. But, whoa boy! There’s a red light! And then there are red lights flashing in your rear view mirror. Busted! And all because you left your car window open.

If you must keep your car windows open when you’re not seated inside, put away (out of sight, out of mind) everything of value - sunglasses, keys, money, iPod - including your toll transponder. Remember, your transponder is linked to your credit card or your checking account. To a thief, it’s like money in the bank. Granted, he can’t get more than a couple of free tolls out of it (that is if you noticed its absence immediately), but money is money! Just report the theft, and then hope that you get a new one before your roll of quarters run out.