How To Avoid Keyless Car Theft

25 August 2020 Car Rental, Crime Stories, Keyholding & Response

Keyless car theft continues to be a major issue for car owners across the UK and beyond. With more and more cars being made keyless nowadays, there are growing opportunities for would-be car thieves to gain access to vehicles that are keyless. In this article, we bring you our comprehensive guide to avoiding becoming a victim of keyless car theft and provide some top tips on how to keep such an expensive asset safe. If you or anyone you know is are a victim of any type of car theft, consider getting in touch with our specialist stolen car recovery and tracking team.

What is Keyless Car Theft?

Keyless car theft (or relay theft) is where the signal from a key for a so-called ‘Keyless entry’ car is captured by somebody standing outside the victim’s house, using a device. Specialist electronic equipment captures the signal from the key and transmits it to a receiver that somebody standing next to the car has. The whole process can be completed within 20-30 seconds and your car could be off the drive in no time, if you don’t take the right precautionary measures.

Is My Car Keyless Entry?

If you have to push a button on your car keys to enter your car, you are not at risk of being ‘hacked’. Only cars with a keyless entry system can be stolen using so called ‘relay’ equipment. Keyless entry cars allow the driver to unlock and start the car with the key fob still in their pocket. Once in the car, the driver can press a button to start the engine.

Preventing Keyless Car Theft – Quick Tips

Keyless car theft is on the rise, so to protect yourself from being a victim of relay theft, here are some quick tips:

1.) Keep Your Car Keys Safe

• If you have a ‘keyless entry’ car, then make sure your keys are kept well away from doors and windows.
• Keep your car key in a screened box, tin or bag so that the signal can’t be ‘grabbed’ from the outside and used to open your car – and don’t forget to do the same with any spare set!
• Signal Blocking pouches can stop access to your vehicle by blocking your car key fob from transmitting its code to the vehicle, as the pouches are lined with layers of metallic material.
• These pouches are cheap to purchase as well, from as little as £5. They can also be used to block WiFi and Bluetooth signals on mobile phones.

2.) Turn off Keyless Fob’s Wireless Signal

• Do you have a keyless fob? Wireless signals on some keyless fobs can be switched off.
• To turn off, you should look in your cars manual to see if you can do this.
• If you can’t find anything in your manual about turning off your fob, you should contact the vehicle’s manufacturer.

3.) Use A Steering Wheel Lock

• Yes, we know, you threw out the wheel lock back in the 90’s but these are making a big comeback.
• Most modern car thieves are equipped with laptops rather than hand tools, so mechanical devices such as steering wheel locks can be a real deterrent.
• When purchasing a security device look out for 3rd party approval such as Sold Secure, whereby the product is tested against tools used by criminals such as Crowbars and Angle Grinders.

4.) Park Defensively…

• Parking your car in a garage overnight is ideal.
• If you’re parking on your driveway, park defensively, i.e. as close to your property as you can so that access is made difficult (but ensure keys are not placed near the front of the property).
• Consider fitting outdoor motion detector lighting and property CCTV, and if you park on the street ensure it’s in an area that is well lit.

5.) Keep Your Vehicle Tidy

• We’ve all heard it, but how many still don’t follow this advice.
• Make sure to keep the inside of your vehicle clear of clutter. Try and hide any electrical items such as sat navs & mobile phones.
• Try to keep your glove box empty and why not leave your glove box open to show you’ve got nothing to hide.
• Don’t forget to hide any signs of high-cost equipment as well, such as the marks that sat-nav suction cups leave on your windscreen!

6.) Fit GPS Trackers

• If all else fails and your car is taken, having trackers fitted will significantly increase the chances of recovery.
• Most trackers will give you live GPS locations for your vehicle to allow police or stolen vehicle recovery teams to move in on to recover.
• Most trackers can be operated from mobile apps and can include tools like geofencing, remote immobilisers and movement notification alerts.
• Sleeper trackers are particularly popular due to running off a built in internal battery, allowing them to be small enough to be fitted inside head rests, car doors or other areas where thieves may not think to look in. The device is put into a ‘sleep mode’ to save battery until its needed. However, take note that these must be regularly replaced to ensure the battery is not flat when it’s needed.

What is the Future of Relay Theft?

Some car manufacturers are introducing preventative measures to help prevent keyless cars from being stolen. Kia, for example, is Providing Their Own Faraday Bagthat helps block the car signal. Ford Focus, Fiesta, BMW, Audi and Mercedes have Introduced Motion Sensor Key Fobs. A Motion sensor car fob will go into sleep mode after being inactive for 40 seconds, which prevents any criminals from getting the car’s signal.

Concluding Note on Keyless Car Robberies

We have seen a significant increase in relay thefts, especially over the course of the covid-19 pandemic, with cars sat unused for weeks or maybe months. We have entered a new age of computer powered vehicles and cars being ‘hacked’ appears to be the new normal in car theft investigation. However, with these simple preventive measures in place, you can reduce the chances of becoming a victim yourself.
If you would like to speak to W4G Fire & Security, and in particular our stolen vehicle recovery and tracking team, please contact us today. We are always here to discuss the protection of your assets and what can be done by way of repatriation, should an item of yours be stolen.