This Is The Myths And Facts Behind Car Stolen With Keys
This Is The Myths And Facts Behind Car Stolen With Keys
Blog Article
Cars Are Still Being Stolen With Keys Inside
In the last few years, every 32 seconds the car with keys inside has been stolen. 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 of them is holding a relay amplifier while the other is walking through your driveway using a transmitter device.
Keys
The positive side is that in general car thefts have decreased in the last year -however, the downside is that vehicles are still being taken with keys left inside. This kind of crime is especially troubling because it occurs in broad daylight, when people aren't aware of it. People who have lost their keys, or had them stolen need to take steps to protect their vehicles.
The first thing you need to do is to check your pockets, purse, and other bags on you, especially those that could contain valuables. You might find your keys in unexpected places, like pockets on your pants or jacket if you've been running. If you can't locate your keys, look in other places where you might have used them, such as at work or at home. This will give you a better idea of where they might be.
If you own a newer car, you will need to contact the dealer or automaker to have replacement keys made. They contain special chips that need to be re-sequenced with the car's computer. Also, you will need to purchase new key barrels that come with the new keys. These can be expensive but they are an investment in the safety of your car.
You should also call the police right away to file an official complaint. This will help the police investigate and possibly track down the perpetrator as well as help if you have to file an insurance claim. Insurance companies will often require an official police report to cover the cost for replacing your keys or other things.
Installing a vehicle tracking device or alarm can help to stop your car from being taken away, even if you own the keys. These devices can discourage thieves and, in some instances they will stop them from beginning the car, making it harder to steal. Some of these devices can be linked to your smartphone and send you alerts if they are damaged or moved without permission.
Remotes
When you lock your car with the key fob, it sends a signal to warn anyone who might steal your car that the vehicle is secure. But that's only the beginning of your security.
Thieves can still capture the signal and use it to open the door, start the engine, and then drive away. In fact, they could do this on virtually every vehicle with a smart key or push-to start ignition.
It's a hack that is simple to implement. It's called code grabbing or "key cloning," which is the use of an electronic device that records the signal sent by your key fob, and then transmits it to another device that tricks the car into thinking that the actual digital key is in close proximity. It's simple enough for a maintenance person in an area with a gated security system to carry out this, and the equipment used for this type of attack can be purchased online or at your local electronics store for just several hundred dollars.
A new method of theft is targeting controller area networks (CAN) which is a network that allows sensors and control modules to communicate in modern automobiles. By disconnecting the headlight and connecting the device to the CAN, thieves could get the information needed to unlock your car, or even take control of it while you're driving it down the highway.
While the newer, more sophisticated keyless entry systems that are becoming standard on most vehicles may aid in reducing this type of crime, the National Insurance Crime Bureau has witnessed a 20 percent increase in thefts of cars that have keys and remotes inside. The NICB recommends that you always lock your vehicle even when you park it get more info in the driveway to warm it up, or while you are stopping for coffee or gas.
Avoid the fads, such as putting your keyfob in the freezer or microwave to stop the signal. It is not foolproof, and only works to deter the most ferocious thieves. It's also worth thinking about having your car's key fob resettled, particularly when you purchase a secondhand one. Many auto locksmiths and dealers can do this quickly and cheaply, although some experts advise against doing this in the event of selling your car.
Locks
You know how horrible it is to awake in the morning only to find your car gone. Especially when you haven't heard the alarm sound or noticed any telltale signs of intrusion, it may appear as if your car vanished overnight. Fortunately, the worst part is over, but there's still the issue of regaining it!
As technology has improved, thieves have adapted their methods of deception. Instead of hotwiring your car as you've seen in a movie, most thieves are now using technology to hack your keyless entry system. This means that thieves can unlock your car and drive it away.
A thief could purchase an online device that can capture the signal from your car key fob. They then transmit that signal to a device which opens your car, allowing them start and drive away. This is called relay attacks and criminal gangs are more and more using this technique.
The good news is, you can take steps to prevent it from happening to you. One option is to get an extra key lock installed, which blocks the signals from your car's key fob. This is an easy, cheap solution to protect your car against thieves. Installing a tracker onto your car is another option. It will help you locate your vehicle in the event of it being stolen.
It's recommended to keep your keys somewhere else than your car and never put them in the ignition. Contact your insurance company to see if they cover keys protection. Some insurers may even pay for a replacement if keys are stolen.
You can also fit a steering wheel lock or brake lock to prevent thieves from driving your car away. They can be purchased online for a relatively low cost, and are easily adjustable to fit the majority of cars. If you have a couple of cars, a wheel lock can be used on both cars. There are even locks for the pedals that can stop a thief from operating the brake and clutch pedals.
Alarms
Car alarms are designed to trigger when someone tries to break into your car. They emit a loud cutting sound that frightens the majority of thieves. However the majority of thieves are becoming more and more technologically adept and know how to shut off alarms swiftly. This can prevent them from being alerted to any suspicious activity around them, and they could also escape with the car while the owner is outside attempting to unlock it.
Alarms are present on the majority of modern cars, which is an excellent way to prevent theft. These alarms can be activated using the key fob or the physical key, and will check the vehicle for vibrations or movements. If they spot something amiss, the alarm will sound, and could flash lights.
Some alarms are programmed so that they only trigger in specific situations like when the air pressure changes in the vehicle. This is to discourage thieves from breaking windows to steal the wheels. The sensor is able to react to things completely unrelated like earthquakes or train tracks passing through a poorly built parking lot.
One type of alarm will sound if the ignition of the vehicle has been tampered. This can be a very useful feature, but it is also prone to false alarms. This is particularly true if the vehicle is parked in a narrow alley or dark spot where passersby can accidentally bump into the vehicle.
There are several other methods to protect your vehicle from being stolen by keys, such as the use of tyre clamps as well as steering wheel locks and Faraday bags, which stop the vehicle's signal from the key fob. Making the report as soon as you can to the police is essential. They will give you a reference number which can assist in locating the thieves and retrieve your vehicle. It is also a good idea to think about obtaining a key care coverage from your insurance company, which covers the cost of replacing your key fob as well as re-programming the immobiliser.