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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Auto thefts are on the rise in Colorado Springs according to the FBI's annual Uniform Crime Report.

According to the report thefts are down around 7.2 percent nationwide, but Colorado Auto Theft Investigators are reporting a nearly 23 percent increase in auto thefts in Colorado Springs since 2009.

A lot of newer cars are equipped with multiple anti-theft devices such as alarms and smart-keys, but experts said there are things drivers can do to make their cars look less enticing that won't cost a dime.

"First and foremost, so many of us might forget to lock our vehicle, and I think if we can just remember to always make sure our windows are all up and the vehicle is locked," Allstate Agency Owner Cally O'Donnell said.

O'Donnell said she hasn't noticed an increase in thefts in her customers, but she's not surprised by the statistics.

"The economy can have a play in increased instances. There's also just some other interesting factors that you'll see. Geography can play a role, you can see proximity when you look at some of the reasons behind theft. I mean, some of them they are purely just theft for economics, they're stealing it to take it to a chop shop and break it down, or you know what's it being used for? In certain border states you might see an increase in it as well with certain vehicle types so geography definitely plays a role," O'Donnell said.

She recommended parking cars in well-lit areas and close to entrances.

"Keep it as close to the entrance as possible or as close to an area where you have traffic, people moving to and from the apartment building, through the parking lot. Those that are parked you know furthest away from the buildings in the darkest spots they're gonna be a bigger target because people can move in and out without being detected," O'Donnell said.

Experts said those with some extra cash should consider VIN etching or installing after market alarms.

"Anything that you can do to help cause attention, draw attention, that create a loud noise is certainly not gonna hurt," O'Donnell said.

Those in the market for a new car should look for one that offers anti-theft devices such as smart-keys.

"Basically what Ford has done is they have key systems that don't allow the vehicle to be started unless the key is present. There's a computer chip in there that talks to the computer on board that doesn't allow that vehicle to be hot wired or stolen in any way," Brent Hall, General Sales Manager with Phil Long Ford of Chapel Hills, said.

O'Donnell said drivers should never underestimate what a thief will do, and cars should never be left running with the keys inside, even if it's just for a second.

Top Ten Vehicles Stolen in Colorado according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)

1996 Honda Accord
2000 Honda Civic
1995 Acura Integra
2001 Dodge Ram
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1990 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
1998 Jeep Cherokee
2004 Ford F150 Series/Pickup
1989 Toyota Camry
2002 Ford Explorer