Henderson, LA (KPEL News) - The Henderson Police Department is urging Louisiana drivers to rethink the car decals we put on our cars. You may apply them to show pride in your children or because they are cute, but they can also make you a target for bad guys who are looking for information you don't realize you're providing.

FAMILY CARICATURES

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The soccer family, the sweet characters, the dancer... these communicate that the car's owner has children and, often, how many they have. If you're a single parent and display your sweet family on your back window, ne'er-do-wells now know and can target your family accordingly. These may also be a sign that you're a distracted driver, putting a bull's eye on your car for insurance scammers.

NEW DRIVER OR YOUNG DRIVER SIGNS

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Insurance scammers love these. New and young drivers aren't as quick with their driving reflexes, so they are an easy mark for people who want to score an insurance payment.

HOBBY STICKERS

hobby sticker
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As harmless as it may seem to those of us who don't think like thieves, proclaiming yourself a hunter or a biker lets bad dudes know you have expensive items at your house. All they need to do is follow you to figure out where you live and strike when you leave the house.

ALL-CLEAR INDICATORS

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You may be proud of your husband for working so hard in the oil field. Criminals see that your husband isn't home for a period of time when you could become a victim. Anything that communicates you are alone or you are often not home is a beacon for thieves.

ANY LOCATION INDICATORS

honor student sticker
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Your child is an honor student? Of course, you'd like to show your pride. You have a great church. Excellent! If you announce either of those two with a bumper sticker or decal, people who want to know where you live now have a smaller area to search.

PET INFORMATION

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Pets make life better. Who wouldn't want a companion that loves them unconditionally? If you decide to showcase that affection, remember that bad guys now know what to watch out for if they decide to rob you.

PERSONALIZED OR VANITY PLATES

Louisiana Vanity License Plates
Facebook via Louisiana License Plates
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Clever sayings or grandparent names are fun, but a license plate that's easy to remember makes it easier to follow or to find you.

Most of us are just trying to live our best life, but criminals are watching and will use anything at their disposal to make it easier for them to take advantage of us. They will find any information they can, whether it's car decals or social media posts, so be vigilant about information you're sharing.

The Funniest Bumper Stickers & Vanity Plates Our Fans Have Seen in Montana

Station listeners, readers, and Facebook followers sent in the funniest phrases or photos they've seen on bumper stickers and vanity plates across Montana. Take a look at a few of them below. (Warning: Some graphic and inappropriate humor included)

Gallery Credit: Nikki Vega

Meet Grand Junction's Cassidy Veach and Her Amazing 1,000+ Bumper Stickers

You might not know Cassidy Veach, but it's quite possible you have seen her car around Grand Junction. It's hard to miss. Cassidy's car is adorned with over 1,000 stickers she has collected over the past three years. The stickers are very personal to Cassidy. Many of the stickers contain messages of positivity, and many are connected to rugby, a sport near and dear to her heart. Some of the stickers come from faraway places she has visited, and some have been sent to her to add to the collection. Where the collection ends probably depends on how long her 2007 Chevy Equinox will last. If you have seen Cassidy's car on the streets of Grand Junction, you may not have been close enough to see what the stickers say, so I'm sharing this gallery to give you an idea of what Cassidy's amazing sticker collection is all about.

Gallery Credit: Zane Mathews

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