Social media has been buzzing with warnings about how criminals

may use small tricks to target unsuspecting victims, and one story has recently gone viral.

Hailey West shared her frightening experience after leaving a shopping trip. As she walked toward her car,

a stranger called out, “Hey, what’s your name?” She ignored him, but he followed her through the parking lot.

He then pointed to a nearby Lexus and asked if she liked it, but Hailey refused to respond, not wanting

to reveal which vehicle was hers. Instead of getting inside, she crossed the street and waited until she felt safe.

When she finally returned, she noticed a plastic water bottle

placed on the hood of her car. After posting her story online,

another user warned that criminals sometimes use items like bottles to distract drivers.

The tactic is meant to make someone step out after starting

their car, giving attackers a chance to steal the vehicle or cause harm.

Though police sometimes dismiss these stories as urban legends, they stress that staying alert is never a bad idea.

The advice is simple: if you find an odd object on your car, don’t get out immediately. Drive off — it will fall away.