DETROIT, July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- AAA Michigan announced today they have partnered with H.E.A.T (Help Eliminate Auto Thefts) to provide specially trained operators to answer the auto theft tip line, 1-800-242-HEAT, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
H.E.A.T. is Michigan's statewide auto theft prevention program that coordinates citizen action with law enforcement agencies through this confidential, toll-free tip line and on their Web site, http://www.1800242heat.com/.
"We are pleased AAA Michigan can make this service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Bill Sams, Vice President Claims for AAA Michigan. "By expanding the hours the tip line is available and having live operators answering at all times, we are allowing the H.E.A.T. program to have an even greater impact on auto theft in Michigan."
Callers are encouraged to report information on stolen vehicles, chop shops, theft rings and suspected auto theft activities including insurance fraud and carjackings.
"With the help of AAA Michigan, we are now fully accessible to the public who help us combat auto theft every day through their invaluable tips," said Terri Miller, director of H.E.A.T.
Since its inception in 1985, H.E.A.T. tips have led to the recovery of more than $43 million in stolen property and the arrests of nearly 3,000 suspects involved in auto theft rings, chop shops, carjackings and fraudulent car thefts, among other auto-related crimes. H.E.A.T. has paid more than $2.9 million in tipster rewards over the last 22 years.
Anyone with information on auto theft, carjacking, chop shops, auto theft- related identity theft and auto insurance fraud in Michigan is encouraged to call the H.E.A.T. 24/7 tip line and speak to a live operator at 1-800-242-HEAT, or log on to http://www.1800242heat.com/ to provide a confidential report. H.E.A.T. works with Michigan law enforcement agencies to follow up on tips, which are assigned to officers by the Michigan State Police. Tipsters are awarded up to $1,000 if the tip leads to the arrest and prosecution of a suspected car thief or a person suspected of auto theft-related insurance fraud. Rewards of up to $10,000 are issued if a tip results in the arrest and binding over for trial of a suspected theft ring or chop shop operators. H.E.A.T. rewards up to $2,000 for information leading to the issuance of a warrant for a carjacking suspect. H.E.A.T. is funded by all of Michigan's auto insurance companies.
AAA Michigan offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to more than 1.6 million members in Michigan. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with approximately 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization with more than 50 million members in the United States and Canada.
AAA Michigan
CONTACT: Nancy Cain for AAA Michigan, +1-313-336-1514
Web site: http://www.aaa.com/
http://www.1800242heat.com/
