A vehicle is stolen every 27 seconds in the United States. According to industry experts, vehicle owners should arm themselves with some intelligence about what models are most likely to be stolen and when and where most thefts occur. This provides a unique aftermarket selling opportunity for the savvy F&I department.

A number of organizations track car thieves' behavior and the Federal Bureau of Investigation offers some surprising statistics.

According to the FBI, the most popular days for thieves to make off with your car are Monday, Friday and Saturday, with your home driveway and parking garages the most likely place.

Education and communication about prevention are essential when it comes to auto theft, according to the experts. One organization that helps to improve communication and coordination among auto theft investigators is the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators, also known as IAATI. Dave Ecklund, is the president of IAATI, and a member of a law enforcement division specializing in auto theft.

"Drivers should know that car theft is a problem everywhere, and that auto theft is at its peak during the months of July and August," Ecklund said. "It's imperative for consumers to arm themselves, with some knowledge about thieves' patterns, and take precautions to protect themselves and their vehicles."

According to LoJack Corp., a developer and marketer of wireless radio frequency technology for recovering stolen vehicles, the most-stolen models include the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Acura Integra, but the theft trend is widespread among all models.

Vehicles owners are advised to be sure they have their vehicle registration, which contains the vehicle identification number and insurance ID card, in a safe, accessible place other than the vehicle. They should also consider devices and items like an alarm, a kill switch and a vehicle recovery system, according to the experts.

On average, vehicles equipped with the LoJack stolen vehicle recovery system have a 90 percent recovery rate, according to LoJack Corp.

To see the complete list of the cities with the highest vehicle theft go to www.fbi.gov, the Web site of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

For more information on stolen vehicle recovery, visit www.iaati.org and www.lojack.com.