Cars Are Still Being Stolen With Keys Inside

In the past few years, every 32 seconds the car with keys inside has been taken. This is not a case of opportunistic criminality.

This is a problem that is growing especially for those who own luxury automobiles. The thieves usually work in pairs. One person holds an amplifier for relays while the other carries their transmitter around your driveway.

Keys

The good news is that overall car thefts have decreased over the last year. However, the downside is, cars with keys still get stolen. This kind of crime is particularly troublesome because it usually occurs in the daylight hours and even when people aren't expecting it. If you've lost your keys or had them stolen, must 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. You might find your keys in strange places, such as the pockets of your pants and jacket in case you've been on the run. If you cannot find your keys, look in other places you may have used them such as at work or at home. This will help you to locate them.

If you own a brand new vehicle, you'll need to contact your dealership or automaker for replacement keys. The keys are equipped with special chips that need to be re-sequenced by the car's computer. You will also have to purchase new key barrels to accommodate the new keys. These can be expensive, but they are an investment in the security of your car.

In addition, you should immediately call the police to file a report. This will assist the police investigate and possibly catch the culprit as well as assist you if you need to file an insurance claim. The majority of insurance companies require an official police report to cover the cost of replacing your keys as well as other things.

You should also consider installing a car alarm or tracking device to help prevent your car from being stolen even if you have the keys. These devices will stop thieves from entering your car and, in some cases they will stop them from starting the car which makes it more difficult to steal. Some of these devices are also connected to your mobile and can send you alerts when they are altered or moved without your permission.

Remotes

When you lock your car using the key fob, it emits an alarm to alert any potential thieves that your vehicle is secure. However, that's only the first of many layers of protection.

Thieves could still intercept that signal and use it to unlock the door and then start the engine and drive away. In fact, they could do this with virtually every vehicle with an electronic key or push-to-start ignition.

It's a hack that is simple to implement. It's called code grabbing or "key cloning," which involves an electronic device that captures the signal sent by your key fob, and then transmits it to another device that tricks the car into thinking the actual digital key is close by. It's easy enough for a maintenance worker working in a gated community to do, and the devices used in this type of attack are available from the internet or in your local electronics store for only several hundred dollars.

A new method of theft is targeting controller area networks (CAN) which is a system that allows sensors and control modules to communicate in modern vehicles. By removing the headlight and connecting a device to the CAN, thieves can take the information needed to unlock your car or even take control of it while driving down the highway.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that while the newer and more sophisticated keyless entry systems, which are now standard in most automobiles, could help reduce the risk of this type of crime however, they have also seen an increase of 20% in the number of stolen cars whose keys and remotes were left 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 making the rounds for example, putting your key fob in the freezer or microwave to stop its signal. It's not foolproof and is only effective in deterring the most determined of thieves. You should also consider having the remote of your vehicle reprogrammed in case you buy a second-hand model. Most dealers and auto locksmiths are able to do this quickly and inexpensively, though some experts suggest against it if you plan to sell your car.

Locks

If you've ever woken up in the morning, went to your car and then realized it's disappeared, you're aware of how terrible it feels. It's a bit shocking to find out that your car disappeared overnight, especially if you haven't heard the alarm or seen any signs of intrusion. Fortunately, the worst part is over, but there's the issue of getting it back!

The technology has advanced and thieves have adapted the new methods of stealth. In the movies, you might have seen thieves hacking into cars. However, the majority of thieves use technology to hack keyless entry systems. The result is that thieves can unlock your car and then drive off.

A thief could purchase an online device that captures the signal from your key fob. The thief will then transmit the signal to a device that opens your car and allows him to start it and drive off. This is known as a relay attack and criminal gangs are increasingly using this technique.

The good news is that you can take steps to stop it from happening to you. Installing a key lock protector which blocks signals from your car key fob, is a way to prevent this. This is an easy, inexpensive way to safeguard your car against thieves. Installing a tracker on your vehicle is an alternative. It will help you locate your vehicle in the event of it being stolen.

You should also ensure that you inquire with your insurance company, as certain insurers provide coverage for key protection and may pay for a replacement in the case of theft. Check with your insurance provider to see if they provide key protection. Some insurance companies may offer a replacement if keys are stolen.

You can also fit a steering wheel lock or brake lock to stop the thief from driving your car away. Online, you can buy these locks for a reasonable price and they are easily adjustable to fit most cars. Wheel locks can be used on both vehicles if you have two vehicles. There are also locks for the pedals which can stop a thief from operating the brake or clutch pedals.

Alarms

Car alarms are designed to activate when someone tries to break into your car. They emit a loud, cutting sound that frightens most thieves. However the majority of thieves are becoming technologically adept and know how to shut off most alarms swiftly. This means they are not alerted by anything suspicious in their surroundings and allows them to steal the vehicle while the owner is trying to unlock it.

Modern cars are equipped with an alarm option which is a great method to prevent a theft. Alarms are activated by the key fob, or the actual key. They look over the vehicle and can detect any movement or vibrations. If they discover that there is something wrong they will sound the siren and may flash the lights.

Some alarms are programmed so that they only trigger in specific situations for instance, when the pressure of air changes in the vehicle. This is to discourage thieves from breaking windows to steal wheels. However, this sensor can occasionally react to events that are not related such as earthquakes or train tracks passing through a poorly constructed parking lot.

Another kind of alarm will be activated if the vehicle's ignition has been altered. This is a useful feature, however it can also trigger false triggers. This is especially true in the case of a vehicle that has been placed in a dark area where passersby could accidentally bump into it.

There are several other methods to protect your vehicle from being stolen by keys, such as the use of tyre clamps as well check here as steering wheel locks and Faraday bags that stop the car's signal from the key fob. Reporting the theft as soon as you can to police is crucial. They will provide you with the reference number, which will help them find the thieves and return your vehicle. You should also consider obtaining the key care plan from your insurance provider. It will pay for the replacement of the key fob as well as programming the immobiliser.