Cars Are Still Being Stolen With Keys Inside
In the last few years every 32 seconds, an automobile with keys inside has been robbed. It's not just an opportunistic crime.
This is a problem that is growing particularly for luxury vehicle owners. Thieves often work in pairs. One person is holding an amplifier relay while the other carries their transmitter in your driveway.
Keys
The good news is that overall, car thefts are down over the last year. However, the downside is that keys-cars are still stolen. This type of crime is particularly troublesome because it is often committed in the daylight hours and when people are not expecting it. People who have lost their keys, or had them stolen, must take precautions to protect their vehicles.
Examine your purse, pockets and any other bags you may have, especially in the event that you suspect they contain valuables. Sometimes you'll find your keys in places that you didn't think of be, like the pockets of your jacket or pants when you ran. If you cannot find your keys, search other places you could have used them such as at work or home. This will help you locate them.
If you own a newer vehicle, you'll have to contact your dealership or automaker to request replacement keys. They contain special chips that must be re-sequenced to the car's computer. You will also have to purchase new key barrels for the new keys. These are expensive, but an investment in the safety of your car is worth it.
You should also call the police immediately to make a report. This will enable police to investigate and locate the thief. It will also assist you if you need to submit an insurance claim. Insurance companies typically require a police report to cover the cost of replacing your keys and other things.
You should also consider installing an alarm for your car or a tracking device to stop your car from being stolen even if you own keys. These devices can deter thieves and in some cases, stop them from starting your car, making it more difficult to take it away. Some of these devices are also linked to your phone and can notify you when they're altered or moved without your consent.
Remotes
When you lock your car with the key fob it emits a warning signal to warn potential thieves that the vehicle is secured. But that is just one of the many layers of protection.
Thieves are able to capture this signal and use it to open the door, start the engine, and then drive away. In fact, they can do this with virtually every vehicle with a smart key or push-to-start ignition.
This technique is known as "code grabbing" or "key-cloning." It involves an electronic device which detects the signal from your key fob and transmits it to a different device, tricking the car into believing the real digital keys are in close. This is a hack that can be carried out by a maintenance person at the gated community. The devices that can be used for this kind of attack are available online or at your local electronics store.
A new method of theft is targeting controller area networks (CAN) which is a system that allows sensors and control modules to communicate with modern cars. By taking off the headlight and connecting a device to the CAN, thieves are able to get the information required to unlock your car or even take control of it while driving along the highway.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that, while the latest advanced, more sophisticated keyless entry systems, now standard in most vehicles, may help to reduce the risk of this type of crime However, they have witnessed a 20% rise in the theft of cars where keys and remotes were kept inside. The NICB suggests that you always lock your vehicle even when it is parked in the driveway to warm it up, or while you are stopping for gas or a coffee.
Beware of the fads that are trending, such as placing your key fob inside the freezer or microwave to hinder its signal. It's not foolproof and it's only a deterrent to most determined thieves. It's also worth thinking about having your car's key fob reprogrammed, especially when you purchase a secondhand one. Most dealers and auto locksmiths can do this quickly and at a low cost, but some experts advise against this if you plan to sell your vehicle.
Locks
You've experienced how awful it is to awake in the morning to discover that your car is gone. It can be a shock to discover that your vehicle has disappeared overnight, especially if you haven't heard the alarm or seen any signs of intrusion. The worst part of the situation is over but you still have to get your car back.
As technology has improved and advanced, thieves have modified their methods of securing. In the movies, you might have seen thieves hotwiring cars. However, most thieves employ technology to hack keyless entry systems. This means that thieves can gain access to your car and take it away.
A burglar could buy an online device that can capture the signal from your car key fob. They then transmit that captured signal to a different device that can open your car, allowing them begin driving it away. This is known as an attack on relays and criminal gangs are increasingly using this technique.
It is possible to stop this from occurring. Installing the key lock protector, that blocks signals from your car's key fob is a way to avoid this. This is an easy, inexpensive way to safeguard your car against thieves. Installing a tracker deactivate stolen car key fob to your car is another option. It helps you locate your vehicle in the event that it's stolen.
It's also a good idea to keep your keys somewhere other than your car and never put them in the ignition. It is also recommended that you check with your insurance company, as some insurers include insurance that covers keys protection and may even provide a replacement in the case of theft.
You can also install a steering wheel lock or brake lock to stop the thief from stealing your car. These can be bought on the internet for a reasonable cost, and are easily adjustable to suit most automobiles. Wheel locks can be used on both vehicles, if you own two vehicles. There are even locks for the pedals, which could prevent thieves from operating the clutch and brake pedals.
Alarms
Car alarms are made to sound when someone tries to break into your vehicle. They emit a loud, sharp sound that frightens most thieves. Many thieves are becoming technologically adept and are able to quickly shut off alarms. This means they are not aware of anything suspicious within their surroundings and also enables them to escape with the vehicle while the owner is trying to unlock it.
Alarms are standard on modern cars, making it a great way of preventing theft. Alarms can be activated with the key fob, or even the physical key, and they look for any motions or vibrations. If they find that something is not right they will sound the siren and possibly flash the lights.
Some alarms can be programmed to only activate in certain circumstances, for example when the air pressure in the vehicle changes. This is to discourage thieves from breaking the windows to take the rims. The sensor can respond to things completely unrelated like earthquakes, or tracks that pass through a poorly built parking lot.
A particular type of alarm can sound if the ignition of the car is tampered with. This is a useful feature, but it can be prone to false triggers. This is especially true if the vehicle has been parked in a dark alley where pedestrians could accidently bump into it.
There are other methods to stop your car from being stolen by using keys. This includes tyre locks as well as steering wheel locks and the Faraday bag, which blocks the signal of the car from the key fob. Notifying the theft as quickly as you can to police is vital. They will give you an identification number that will assist them in locating the thieves and retrieve your vehicle. It is also a good idea to consider obtaining a key care coverage from your insurance company, that will pay for replacing your key fob and re-programming the immobiliser.