Cars Are Still Being Stolen With Keys Inside

In the last few years, a car has been taken with keys within every 32 seconds. This is not just an incident of criminality that is opportunistic.

This is a problem that is growing, particularly for luxury car owners. The thieves often work in pairs. One person is holding a relay amplifier while the other is walking with their transmitter in your driveway.

Keys

The good news is, overall the theft rate of cars is down over the past year. But the bad news is, cars with keys are still being stolen. This type of crime is particularly troublesome because it usually occurs in the daylight hours and even when people aren't expecting it. Those who lost their keys or had them stolen must to take precautions to safeguard their vehicle.

Check your pockets, purse and any bags that you may have, especially in the event that you suspect they contain valuables. Sometimes you will discover your keys in places that you didn't anticipate be, like the pockets of your pants or jacket when you ran. If you are unable to locate your keys, search other places where you might have used them, such as at work or home. This will help you locate them.

If you have a newer car, you will need to contact the dealer or automaker to get replacement keys made. Keys with special chips that have to be re-synchronized with the computer in your vehicle. Also, you will need to purchase the new barrels for keys that go with the new keys. These are expensive however, a investment in the security of your car is worth it.

In addition, you should immediately contact the police to make a report. This will allow police to investigate and find the person who stole your items. It will also assist you if you need to make an insurance claim. Most insurance companies require the police report in order to cover the cost of replacing your keys or other things.

Installing a vehicle tracking device or alarm could help prevent your vehicle being taken away, even if you own the keys. These devices can deter thieves, and in some cases prevent them from getting your car started, making it more difficult to steal. Some of these devices can be linked to your phone and send you alerts if they are tampered or moved without permission.

Remotes

When you lock your vehicle using the key fob, it emits a warning signal to alert potential thieves that your vehicle is secured. But that is just one of the many layers of protection.

The criminals can still get this signal and use it for unlocking the door, starting the engine, then driving away. They are able to do this with any vehicle that has smart keys or a push-to-start ignition.

This technique is known as "code grabbing" or "key-cloning." It involves an electronic device that detects the signal from your key fob and then transmits it on to another device, tricking the car into believing that the real digital keys are close. It's simple enough for a maintenance worker in a gated community to perform, and the devices used in this kind of attack are available from the internet or in your local electronics store for just a few hundred dollars.

Another method of theft is to target the controller area network (CAN), which allows sensors and control modules in modern cars to communicate with each other. By taking off your headlight and connecting an electronic device to the controller area network (CAN), thieves can gain access to data that unlocks your car, or take control of your vehicle when you're driving.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that while the newer, more advanced keyless entry systems, now the norm in many vehicles, may help to reduce this type of crime, they have seen an increase of 20% in the theft of cars where keys and remotes were kept inside. The NICB recommends that you always lock your vehicle even when you park it in the driveway to warm it up, or when you stop for gas or a coffee.

Don't fall for the hype, such as placing your keyfob in a freezer or in the microwave to block the signal. It is not foolproof, and can only deter the most determined of thieves. It is also advisable to have your vehicle's remote reprogrammed if you purchase a used model. Most auto locksmiths and dealers are able to do this fast and at a low cost. However, some experts advise against it if you intend to sell your vehicle.

Locks

You know how horrible it is to awake in the morning and find your car gone. Particularly if you haven't heard your alarm go off or seen any obvious signs of intrusion, it can feel like your car just disappeared overnight. The worst part is that the situation is over but you'll need to return your car back.

The technology has changed and criminals have adapted to the new methods of stealing. In the movies, you may have seen thieves wiring cars. However, the majority of thieves use technology to hack keyless entry systems. This means that thieves can gain access to your car and drive it away.

A burglar might purchase an online device that records the signal from your car key fob. They then transmit that captured signal to a device that opens your car, allowing them to begin driving it away. This is called relay attacks and criminal gangs are increasingly using this technique.

The good news is, you can prevent it from happening to you. Installing a key lock protector that blocks the signals from your car key fob is a way to prevent this. This is an easy, inexpensive way to safeguard your car against thieves. Another option is to put a tracker on your vehicle, which can help to locate your vehicle in the event that it's stolen.

It's recommended to keep your keys somewhere else than your car and never leave them in the ignition. Check with your insurance provider to see if they cover key protection. Some insurers may even offer a replacement if keys are stolen.

You can also install a brake or steering lock to stop thieves from stealing your car. These can be bought on the internet for a reasonable cost, and are easily adjusted to fit most automobiles. If you have a couple of cars wheel lock is able to be used on both cars. There are even locks for the pedals, which can prevent thieves from operating the brake and clutch pedals.

Alarms

The alarms are constructed so that they will sound when someone attempts to gain entry into your vehicle. They usually make the sound of a loud, piercing ring that will frighten criminals and draw the attention of anyone who happens to be in the vicinity. However the majority of thieves are becoming more and more technologically sophisticated and know how to shut off alarms quickly. This keeps them from being alerted by anything suspicious in their surroundings, and it also allows them to get away with the vehicle while the owner is still trying to unlock it.

Most modern cars are built with an alarm option and is a great way to stop theft. These alarms can be activated by the key fob or the physical key, and they look for any vibrations or movements. If they detect something wrong the alarm will sound, and could flash lights.

Some alarms can be programmed to activate in certain situations for instance, when the pressure of air in the vehicle changes. This is in order to stop thieves from breaking windows to steal the wheels. The sensor is able to react to events that are completely unrelated, like earthquakes, or tracks of trains passing through a poorly constructed parking lot.

Another kind of alarm is one that will sound if the car's ignition has been tampered with. This is a useful feature, but it also has the potential for false triggers. This is especially true if the vehicle is parked in an alley or dark spot where passersby can accidentally bump into the vehicle.

There are other ways to prevent your vehicle from read more being stolen by using keys. They include tyre lock and steering wheel locks and Faraday bag, which blocks the signal from the car to the key fob. It is important to report the theft to police as quickly as you can and they can provide you with an identification number that can assist them to find the culprits and retrieve your vehicle. It is also advisable to consider getting an insurance policy for key care from your insurance provider. It will cover the cost of replacing the key fob, as well as reprogramming the immobiliser.