The Heat is On for Air Conditioner Thieves Austin, Texas, July 6, 2007 Police are hot on the trail of crooks who steal air conditioners. The perpetrators strip valuable copper parts from the stolen units and sell them on the black market to scrap metal dealers or to recycling centers for quick cash. Copper cables and wires are also hot commodities for these thieves. The criminals usually target construction sites, but have also resorted to stealing copper from businesses and new homes. Some crooks even steal copper parts right off trucks in full view of construction crews. Others walk into unfinished homes and rip out copper wiring and pipes. The copper crime wave has many builders hiring private security firms to guard their sites and timing their deliveries of copper right up to the point of installation. Unfortunately, many homes and businesses fall prey to these thieves because their air conditioning units are outside and unprotected, making them easy to steal. Copper theft is a global epidemic, but Texas lawmakers are getting tougher on these crooks. Beginning September 1st, copper theft will become a felony. And those who buy stolen copper are in the hot seat, too. Many Texas cities are enacting stricter standards at recycling centers such as requiring sellers to show a valid driver's license or other type of identification. The BBB urges anyone who has been the victim of copper theft or has any knowledge of these crimes to contact their local police department. The BBB also urges consumers who have been the victims of air conditioning thefts to check our website at www.centraltx.bbb.org to find reputable companies to replace those units. About the BBB System BBB is an unbiased, non-profit entity that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses and charities that earn BBB membership contractually agree and adhere to the organization's high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free business Reliability Reports and charity Wise Giving Reports, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers who need help with unfair or unethical business treatment. The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 128 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than 3 million local and national businesses and charities. Please visit www.bbb.org for more information about the BBB System. This Better Business Bureau is currently supported by approximately 6,900 member businesses and serves more than 3,000,000 consumers in its 52-county service area in Texas. These counties include: Atascosa, Bandera, Bastrop, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Bosque, Burnet, Caldwell, Calhoun, Comal, Comanche, Coryell, Dewitt, Dimmit, Edwards, Falls, Fayette, Freestone, Frio, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hamilton, Hays, Hill, Jackson, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kinney, Lampasas, LaSalle, Lavaca, Limestone, Llano, Maverick, McLennan, McMullen, Medina, Mills, Navarro, Real, San Saba, Travis, Uvalde, Val Verde, Victoria, Webb, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala. Website: http://www.centraltx.bbb.org Better Business Bureau, BBBOnLine, and the BBB torch, BBBOnLine and BBB CARE logos are federally registered service marks owned by the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. These marks may be used, with certain restrictions, by Better Business Bureaus and eligible companies participating in Better Business Bureau programs under a license agreement. It is CBBB policy to take action against all unauthorized use of its marks.