New Developments in Auto Theft
There have been numerous reports of various and ingenious kinds of auto thefts recently. Auto thefts can take the form of items from inside your vehicle, outside your vehicle (tires, rims, catalytic converters), and the auto itself.
Although it’s been around for a while, one of the newer forms of auto theft is those related to vehicles that use a fob (not a key) to open and start the vehicle. Driving magazine explains it this way, “Modern cars are typically fitted with a keyless entry or smart key system that allows drivers to work the door locks, truck or tailgate, and ignition without physically touching their key fob or remote. The thing is, those signals never sleep, and they can help thieves make off with your car.”
“While parked, your vehicle continues to watch for the signal from its key fob, waiting to be unlocked, started up, and driven away. When that signal is detected and confirmed to be within very close proximity to your Camry, F150 or luxury vehicle, access to the locks and ignition is granted.”
“A relay attack happens when a car thief uses specialized electronic equipment to sniff out and amplify the communication signals used by your car and its fob. The goal is to pick up the signal from a key fob, amplify it, and transmit it over a distance to another device located near the car or truck that mimics its key.”
“A relay attack can be carried out in your driveway, perhaps by sniffing out a signal from the key fob inside your front door. The equipment used in these attacks is neither expensive nor difficult to find.”
There was a recent account in Ontario where an ingenious thief drilled a small hole in the driver’s-side window to pop the lock, and ultimately drove away in a brand- new Dodge Ram pickup. The owner noted its absence and called the police. The Ram had a vehicle tracker app which indicated the vehicle was being driven down the highway on its way to a Montreal port for shipment elsewhere. Police intercepted the vehicle and arrested four people inside.
There are a number of aftermarket anti- theft or tracking devices available. Some of the tracking devices may send an alert to your phone if your vehicle starts moving if you’re not in it. There are companies that will install whole security systems that can range anywhere from $500 to $2,600. You can do some minor, but effective things for less than that (see faraday bags, wheel locking nuts below).
Co-operators Insurance Company recently emailed out ten things you can do to make your vehicle less appealing to a thief:
1. Keep your keys or keyless fob away from doors and windows. Use a Faraday bag to block the signal from being intercepted and reprogrammed. (A Faraday bag/cage doesn’t allow electronic signals to enter or leave the bag/cage. Amazon carries Faraday bags for less than $20 for two and local retailers likely carry them as well.)
2. Use a wheel club, data port lock or alarm system. (I recently pulled my Club out from under the seat, dusted it off and began using it again. The Club gives visible evidence that your vehicle is immobilized, and a thief will move on to an easier target. Secondly, it prevents the vehicle from being driven away even if it can be accessed and started – yes these too can be disabled but a thief needs to come prepared – it’s easier to move on to another vehicle. Sometimes the simplest solutions are some of the best.)
3. Make sure your vehicle isn’t left running unattended.
4. Park in well-lit areas, or in garages.
5. Don’t keep personal identification or valuables in your vehicle.
6. Lock doors and close windows when parked.
7. Install an immobilizing device to prevent hot-wiring.
8. Add a vehicle tracking device.
9. Check Equite’s annual list of top 10 most stolen vehicles.
10. Before purchasing a vehicle, do some research and request all required documentation from the seller.
One other relatively cheap item to install is locking nuts on your wheels. I had a dealership in Okotoks inform me that one night a car carrier of trucks was delivered, and by morning all the wheels were gone. Now one of the first things they do is install the locking nuts when new vehicles arrive.
Dave Schroeder
HCRCWA Board Member
