If you keep your eyes and ears open, you must be aware that heavy equipment theft is a mounting crisis. In 2001 itself, something like 5,500 heavy equipment thefts were reported to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Similar to vehicle theft, organized crime rings form the key motivating factor behind heavy equipment theft. No wonder, heavy equipment thieves are regarded as sophisticated criminals. In numerous cases, these sophisticated criminals are in possession of equipment shopping lists. Well conversant with the type of equipments they want and their whereabouts, they habitually aim construction sites rather than protected dealer lots.

Lots of these organized crime rackets dispatch stolen construction equipment abroad. Stolen equipment is frequently transported to a nearby port or across the border before being put on record as stolen.

To help counter this predicament, equipment manufacturers implemented a standard universal 17-digit product identification number (PIN) system, kicking off with their models launched in the year 2000. By virtue of this set-up, global law enforcement computer systems can better ensure, confirm, and keep vigil on equipment deemed as stolen.