There is an increase in keyless vehicle thefts around the country including Yorkshire and Lincolnshire with more discrete key copying devices being more easily available to criminals.
A quick google search will show how vulnerable your vehicle might be.
It is believed that criminals are using the likes of Facebook, Gumtree, ebay and Autotrader to choose and pick their target, effectively using these selling sites as their personal catalogue for their next victim and the next car they will steal.
The video below shows just how quick and easy it is to copy a keyless entry key and then use it to steal the car minutes later.
If you have an electronic car key, criminals have access to devices that can clone your car key signals:
The signal that allows your car to simply unlock when your key is close to the car.
The signal that unlocks your car with a physical press on your remote key fob.
The signal that actually starts your car when it is inside.
It effectively clones your car key electronics so your car thinks they have your original car key. But in order for them to clone your key, they have to be close to it.
They may look for a car they wish to steal using one of the popular selling sites and then contact the owner to come and have a look at the car just like the criminals did in the video above only a few weeks back.
This is where you need to be vigilant and aware of them potentially getting close to your key and cloning it.
They may only need to be a few meters away but tell tale signs could be:
Them fumbling around with their hands in their pockets, (the device could be as small as a tennis ball)
Not really paying attention to the car,
Not asking the normal questions you would when potentially looking to buy the car
They may also ask for the car to be started. If you can, keep your key in an RFID protective pouch like the Tornado RFID key blocker, even when prospective buyers come round to view your car. This way it shields your car key so that it cant be cloned.
You can show them round your car without unlocking it or even unlock it prior to them coming or unlock it with an app (if your car has this function).
Criminals also have no need to be near your key if they are carrying a "relay device". This may resemble a small laptop pc and criminals would use this device by standing at your front door, normally in the early hours of darkness to extend your car key signal so they can unlock your car and drive it away.
If your car has other protective measures such as Pin to drive like on the Tesla (you activate this function and then enter a personal pin to start the car) then you should activate this.
You can also have an immobiliser fitted like the highly acclaimed GHOST II.
We are accredited and TASSA trained to install a security immobiliser like the Ghost II. These will stop your vehicle from being started and driven away.
There is no way for criminals to bypass a Ghost immobiliser and they are undetectable in your vehicle when installed.
The great news is when we install Ghost immobilisers, these are coded specifically for your car and should you wish to sell your car, we can remove the Ghost immobiliser and then recode it and install it into your new car.
This makes the Ghost II immobiliser a very worthy investment!
We also install Thatcham approved trackers. Should you be the unfortunate victim of a car theft and have a tracker fitted, then there is a good chance that your car can be recovered very quickly.
Please be extra vigilant, we are trying to help spread awareness on this growing
crime, please share this with your family and friends, there are great discounts from insurance companies when you have a Tracker and/or Ghost immobiliser fitted. Don't wait until its too late.