Beware of Sliders Stealing Purses at Arizona Gas Stations

I've done this for years: left my purse on the passenger seat while I pump gas. Is the passenger side door locked? Unlocked? Honestly, when I stop for fuel, I rarely think about it. That's about to change.

What is a “Slider” and Why Should You Care?

If, like me, you’ve ever left your purse on the passenger seat while you're pumping gas, you're not alone. You may have made yourself a target of crooks, though.

Sliders are thieves who pull up next to unsuspecting drivers, usually women, at gas stations. Then they quietly open their car door and swipe your valuables. Some of the bolder crooks will even steal the car itself.

The worst part is it happens fast. In just a few seconds, the target has been scammed. Victims rarely notice or understand what's happening until it’s too late.

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How Can You Protect Yourself?

To avoid becoming a target of thieves, prevention is key. Lock your doors, keep your valuables out of sight, and stay alert to your surroundings. If someone pulls up next to you, pay attention, especially if they're not stopping to pump gas. If that happens, consider driving away. Police advise against confronting sliders; instead, get a description and call 911.

READ: Arizona Police Issue Urgent Warning on Bank Jugging Scam

From now on, I'm going to work on my situational awareness, which includes where my handbag is and whether the door is locked. Thankfully, I've never been a victim of this crime, but I haven't always been as alert as I should be. That definitely has to change.

While this has happened in Arizona, check out this footage from YouTube. This video from ABCNews10 illustrates how quickly this can happen: