Some things are just irresistible to thieves because they’re easy to grab, simple to resell, or just valuable enough to be worth the risk. And while some of these thefts happen in stores or businesses, plenty of them occur in everyday places—homes, cars, and even right out in public.

Knowing what’s most at risk can help you take smarter precautions, whether that’s securing your valuables at home, staying alert in public, or making it harder for criminals to make a quick getaway. Here’s a look at the items most frequently targeted by thieves and how you can protect yourself.

Cash

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There’s a reason cash has been a top target for thieves since the beginning of time. It’s untraceable, requires no effort to resell, and can be taken in an instant. Whether it’s stolen from a store’s register, a home break-in, or right out of someone’s wallet, cash is the ultimate grab-and-go prize.

The best way to protect yourself is to limit how much cash you carry or keep at home. Businesses should use drop safes or time-locked registers, and individuals should store money in secure locations—not a bedside drawer or a purse left unattended.

Jewelry and Watches

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A diamond ring, a luxury watch, or even a gold chain—anything with high value that can be slipped into a pocket is a favorite for thieves. Smash-and-grab robberies at jewelry stores make the headlines, but plenty of theft happens in homes, hotel rooms, and even off a person’s wrist in crowded areas.

If you own expensive jewelry, keep it stored in a home safe, especially when you’re away. Be mindful of where you wear high-end pieces, and if you’re traveling, don’t leave valuables in hotel rooms unattended.

Electronics

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Laptops, smartphones, gaming consoles—if it’s expensive and portable, it’s a target. Criminals know that stolen electronics are easy to resell, and they don’t need a black market to do it. Online marketplaces and pawn shops make it simple to offload stolen goods, often before the original owner even realizes they’re gone.

To reduce your risk, never leave electronics visible in your car or unattended in public. Use password protection, tracking apps like Apple’s Find My Phone or Google’s device tracking, and keep records of serial numbers to increase your chances of recovery.

Designer Clothing

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High-end fashion isn’t just popular among paying customers—it’s a major target for thieves, too. Shoplifters swipe designer handbags and clothing from stores, while home burglars go straight for closets filled with expensive brands. Since luxury goods hold their value, they’re easy to flip for cash.

Retailers fight back with security tags and locked displays, but at home, you can protect your collection by locking closets or storing expensive pieces discreetly. If you resell fashion online, be cautious about sharing too much personal information—you don’t want to make yourself a target.

Prescription Medications

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Painkillers, ADHD medications, and anti-anxiety drugs top the list of stolen prescriptions. Pharmacies and hospitals are frequent targets, but personal medicine cabinets aren’t safe either. Some thieves steal medication for their own use, while others sell it for a profit on the street.

To keep your prescriptions safe, store them in a locked cabinet rather than out in the open. If you no longer need certain medications, don’t toss them in the trash—use a pharmacy take-back program to ensure they don’t fall into the wrong hands.

Bicycles

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A bike left unattended—even for a moment—can be gone in an instant. Thieves often target bikes outside coffee shops, campuses, and apartment buildings, knowing that many owners don’t use high-quality locks. Even locked bikes aren’t safe if the security chain is flimsy.

If you own a bike, invest in a strong U-lock and always secure it to a fixed object. Registering your bike with local authorities or using a GPS tracker can help in case of theft, but prevention is key—bikes are among the hardest stolen items to recover.

Identity Documents

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When someone swipes your driver’s license, Social Security card, or passport, it can turn into years of fraud and financial damage. Identity theft rings steal personal information to open credit accounts, apply for loans, and even commit crimes in someone else’s name.

Protecting yourself starts with being mindful of where you keep important documents. Don’t carry unnecessary IDs with you, and never leave sensitive paperwork in an unlocked mailbox. Shredding documents before throwing them away and regularly checking your credit report can help catch fraud early.

Car Parts

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You might think your locked car is safe, but thieves are just as interested in what’s under the hood—or underneath the car entirely. Catalytic converters, in particular, are stolen at an alarming rate because they contain valuable metals that fetch high prices in scrap markets. Airbags, wheels, and even entire engines are also frequent targets.

To reduce your risk, park in well-lit areas or a garage whenever possible. Installing a catalytic converter shield, using lug nut locks on your wheels, and etching your VIN onto major car parts can deter theft.

Household Appliances

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It’s not just TVs and laptops that disappear during a break-in—thieves often target household appliances too. Items like high-end blenders, espresso machines, and even washing machines are easy to resell. Rental scams are another growing issue, where criminals pose as tenants, empty out homes of appliances, and vanish before the real owners realize what happened.

Burglars know which brands fetch the best prices, so securing your home is key. Reinforced door locks, security cameras, and motion sensors can deter thieves before they even step inside. If you’re renting out a furnished property, regular inspections and tenant verification can prevent an unpleasant surprise.

Cosmetics

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Luxury beauty products are small, easy to conceal, and in high demand. Thieves frequently swipe high-end skincare, perfumes, and makeup from retail shelves, often without anyone noticing. The resale market thrives online, where stolen cosmetics are sold at steep discounts to unsuspecting buyers.

To combat the problem, many stores now lock up premium beauty brands, but that doesn’t stop determined criminals. Shoppers can play a role too—reporting suspicious behavior, keeping personal bags zipped in crowded stores, and being mindful of where they purchase discount cosmetics can all help curb this underground industry.

Baby Formula

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Baby formula might not seem like a high-value item, but to thieves, it’s as good as cash. With rising costs and high demand, formula has become a major target for shoplifters and even organized crime rings. Some steal it for personal use, but large-scale theft operations resell stolen formula in bulk, sometimes even to small retailers who turn a blind eye to its origins.

Many grocery stores now keep formula behind locked cases or require employees to retrieve it for customers. Parents should also be cautious when buying formula online—deep discounts or unverified sellers can be red flags for stolen or even expired products.

Meat Products

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Stealing food might sound like a petty crime, but meat theft is a multimillion-dollar problem for grocery stores. High-end cuts of steak, seafood, and specialty meats are among the most commonly stolen, often hidden in bags or under clothing. Some of these thefts are for personal consumption, but many are part of organized crime rings that resell stolen meat to restaurants and markets at bargain prices.

Buying deeply discounted meat from unverified sellers can mean unknowingly supporting this black market—and there’s no telling if stolen food was stored safely before it reached you.