David I am amazed but delighted that this particular form of car jacking is not common here. It was all over the news In England at least 4 years ago.
There are so many scams there it beggars belief. One scheme actually involved a lady in the next road to us. Most of the houses had electronic gates, but this lady as well as myself, would get out the car before the gates shut. I never did that again. The woman was half way out her car when she was jumped and attacked, the thief held her at knife point and took her Rolex and purse.
I was terrified after that and would sit in my locked car until the gates were shut, even then I felt uneasy. In London there was a spate of incidents in which wealthy folk even some celebs, had their Rolex's snatched at traffic lights.
I find the world an ever increasingly scary place. The ingenuity of thieves knows no bounds. When I was in practice, I had fitted a man with contact lenses. I told him he could either sit in the waiting room for 20-30 mins, while they settled or go for a walk around. You've guessed it, he never came back. He was not a new contact lens wearer,he just needed replacement lenses.The address he had given us was fictitious.
For sheer desperation though you can't beat our store here. I even found an empty tin of ham the other day. The thief had pulled the ring tab on top, pulled out the ham and then left. !!!
I increasingly find the only places where good folk still exist, are here at Bettermost and with family and friends. I suspect as the recession continues that the situation will only deteriorate further, but I am having a bit of a glass half empty day.
I do however think, even if they are Urban myths, it is our duty to make as many people aware as possible. As you said, it is a small step from urban myth to fact.
I now always park away from other cars. I lock my door immediately apon getting into my car and constantly check round watching for anything. There was a couple of incidents in Florida where women were kidnapped and then raped and killed. The 2 incidents I know of, both took place in shopping mall carparks.
I think we all have to be vigilant these days.