What are some of the red flags that might indicate theft of construction and agricultural vehicles? Give an example from each of the following categories outlined by the National Equipment Register (NER): transport; use and location; equipment and markings; and price

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The NER offers the following "red flags" as theft indicators, cautioning that legitimate explanations might exist for any of the indicators.
Transport:

Equipment being transported late at night or on weekends or holidays. Equipment theft most often happens at those times.
Hauled equipment that is being moved in a hurry and therefore lacks the proper tie-downs, over-width/ over-weight signs, or lights.
Equipment being hauled on trucks not designed to haul such equipment. Equipment being hauled with buckets in the up position or booms not lowered. New equipment on old transport.
The labels/markings on a piece of equipment do not match those of the unit carrying or hauling it.

Use and Location:

Equipment in an unsecured location that has not been moved for some time— either by repeat observation or the age of the tracks leading to the equipment. The type of equipment does not suit the location or use—such as construction equipment on a farm or in a residential area with no building activity.

Equipment and Markings:

Equipment with missing Product Identification Number (PIN) plates. Manufacturers generally use mounting techniques that make it unlikely for a PIN plate to fall off during normal use.
Equipment that has been entirely repainted or that has decals removed or painted over.
Manufacturer decals or model number stickers do not match the piece of equipment to which they are affixed.
A commercially manufactured trailer with registration plates reflecting a homemade trailer (certain states only).

Price:

Equipment that is being offered, or has been purchased, at a price well below market value.