Cars Are Still Being Stolen With Keys Inside
In the last few years, a car has been stolen with the keys inside every 32 seconds. This isn't just a case of opportunistic criminality.
This is a problem that is growing, particularly for luxury car owners. The thieves often work in pairs. One person is holding an amplifier relay while the other walks with their transmitter in your driveway.
Keys
The good news is that generally speaking the number of car thefts has decreased over the past year -however, the downside is that cars are being stolen with keys inside. This kind of crime is particularly concerning because it occurs in the open, when people aren't expecting it. People who have lost their keys or had them stolen need to take precautions to safeguard their vehicle.
Check your pockets, purse and any bags that you might have, particularly when you think they could contain valuables. Sometimes you will find your keys in places that you didn't think of, such as the pockets of your jacket or pants when you ran. If you're unable to locate your keys, search other places that you have used them, like in the house or at work. This will assist you to locate them.
If you have a brand newer vehicle, you'll have to contact the dealership or automaker to have replacement keys made. They contain special chips that need to be re-sequenced with the car's computer. You'll also have to purchase the new key barrels that come with the new keys. They can be costly but they are a great investment in the safety of your car.
In addition, you must call the police right away to make a report. This will allow the police to investigate and possibly catch the thief and will help if you have to make an insurance claim. Insurance companies will often require the police report to cover the cost for the replacement of your keys or other things.
Installing a vehicle tracking device or alarm can help to keep your vehicle from being taken away, even if you have the keys. These devices will deter thieves and, in some instances they can stop them from starting the car, making it harder to steal. Some of these devices can be connected to your phone and send you alerts if they are altered or moved without permission.
Remotes
When you lock your car with the key fob, it emits a signal to warn any potential thieves that your vehicle is secured. But that is just the first of many layers of security.
Thieves can still capture this signal and use it to open the door, start the engine, and drive away. In fact, they could do this on virtually every vehicle with a smart key or push-to start ignition.
It's a straightforward hack known as code grabbing or "key cloning," which involves an electronic device that detects the signal being sent from your key fob and transmits it to another device that tricks the car into thinking the genuine digital key is close by. This is a hack that can be done by a maintenance person at the gated community. The devices that can be used for this type attack are available online or in your local electronics retailer.
Another method of theft targets the controller area network (CAN) which allows sensors and control modules of modern vehicles to communicate with each other. By disconnecting the headlight and connecting the device to the CAN, thieves could steal the data needed to unlock your car or even take control of it while you're driving it along the highway.
While the latest, more sophisticated keyless entry systems that are becoming standard on most vehicles may help reduce this type of crime, the National Insurance Crime Bureau has observed a 20% increase in thefts of cars with remotes and keys inside. The NICB recommends locking your car at all times, even if you are just warming it up in the driveway or stopping for coffee or gas.
And ignore those fads that are circulating, such as placing your key fob inside the freezer or microwave to stop its signal. It's not foolproof, and can only deter the most ferocious thieves. It's also worth looking into getting your car's key fob reprogrammed, particularly in the event that you purchase a used one. Most dealers and auto locksmiths are able to do this quickly and cheaply, although some experts suggest against doing this when you are planning to sell your vehicle.
Locks
It's a nightmare is to wake up in the morning to discover that your car is gone. It can be a shock to discover that your vehicle disappeared overnight, particularly in the event that you haven't heard an alarm or seen any signs of intrusion. Fortunately, the worst part is over, but there's the issue of getting it back!
As technology has improved and advanced, thieves have modified their methods of deception. In the movies, you might have seen thieves hotwiring cars. However, the majority of thieves use technology to hack keyless entry systems. The result is that thieves are able to unlock your vehicle and then drive it away.
A burglar might purchase an online device that captures the signal from your car key fob. They then transmit that signal to another device that opens your car, allowing them start the car and drive it away. This is referred to a relay attack and it's becoming increasingly frequent for criminal gangs to use this technique.
It is possible to stop this from happening. One option is to have the key lock protector installed, which blocks signals coming from your car's key fob. It's a cost-effective solution that is simple to install and can aid in protecting your car from thieves. Another option is to put an electronic tracker inside your car, which will help to locate your vehicle if it's stolen.
It's recommended to keep your keys somewhere other than inside your car and never leave keys in the ignition. Also, make sure that you check with your insurance company, as some insurers include insurance for keys protection and may even offer an exchange in the case of theft.
You can also put in a brake or steering wheel lock to stop a burglar from stealing your car. These can be bought on the internet at a low cost, and are easily adjusted to fit most automobiles. If you're a family with two cars the wheel lock can be used on both more info vehicles. There are even locks for the pedals, which can stop a thief from using the brake and clutch pedals.
Alarms
The alarms are designed to sound when someone is trying to gain entry into your vehicle. They usually make the sound of a loud, piercing ring that will frighten thieves and draw the attention of anyone who is in the vicinity. However the majority of thieves are becoming more and more technologically savvy and are able to shut off alarms quickly. This keeps them from being alerted by any suspicious activity in their environment and allows them to steal the vehicle even though the owner is trying to unlock it.
Alarms are available on most modern cars, which is an excellent way to prevent theft. These alarms are activated by the key fob or the physical key. They are able to monitor the vehicle and detect any movement or vibrations. If they find something that is not right, the alarm will sound, and could flash lights.
Certain alarms are programmed to only activate in certain situations, such as when the air pressure changes in the vehicle. This is to deter thieves from breaking windows to steal wheels. However, this sensor can occasionally detect things that are completely unrelated, such as earth quakes or train tracks passing by a poorly constructed parking lot.
A certain type of alarm will sound when the ignition of the vehicle is tampered with. This is a great feature, but it can be prone to false triggers. This is especially true when the vehicle is parked in a narrow alley or a dark area where people may accidentally crash into the vehicle.
There are several alternatives to safeguard your vehicle from being stolen by keys, such as the use of tyre clamps or steering wheel locks, as well as Faraday bags, which stop the vehicle's signal from the key fob. It is essential to report the theft to the police as soon as you can and they will be able to provide you with an identification number that can assist them to locate the culprits and retrieve your vehicle. It is also advisable to consider getting a key care policy from your insurance company. It will pay for the replacement of the key fob as well as changing the immobiliser.