GPS Tracking for Relay Thefts
10 Oct 2018
With so many cars on the roads today operating via wireless remote for keyless entry, it’s creating a target-rich environment for relay thieves to hop inside and drive away in your precious car – no key fob required.
The problem is so widespread that Leasing.com reports 96 percent of motorists are at risks of having their cars stolen via relay attacks.
How Does Relay Theft Work?
For relay theft to work, the crime requires two parties. One stands by the vehicle being targeted while the other stands near the home with a relay device that can pick up a signal from the key fob.
Some of the more powerful devices can intercept signals from more than 300 feet away. This means very few rooms in your home are safe. With most people placing their keys in an easy to locate spot near the door (where the signal is typically clear and strong), it becomes even more difficult to prevent this particular type of theft.
The fob, from inside your home, relays the signal to the device, which is then used to unlock your car allowing thieves to climb in and drive away. This particular type of crime is becoming increasingly common in residential areas where homes and cars are located in close proximity and there are numerous cars to target.
Preventing Relay Thefts
Prevention is the best cure for most types of theft, including this one. There are low tech devices, like the old steering wheel locking devices. However, they negate the convenience keyless entry cars provide drivers. Other considerations include storing your keys inside your home in some type of Faraday cage or even store them in a steel locked box that prevents the electronic signal from escaping to be captured by the relay systems.
Finally, consider installing GPS tracking on your car. While it may not prevent relay theft from occurring, it greatly improves your odds of recovering your car in one piece for many reasons, including the following:
- Allows notifications and alerts so you know the moment your car is stolen.
- Provides real-time tracking information you can send to the police, so they can recover your vehicle quickly.
- Advanced GPS tracking systems allow you to remotely turn off your vehicle so that it can no longer be driven by thieves.
Relay thefts are becoming a huge problem for car keyless entry and ignition cars. It doesn’t have to become a problem for you if you invest in GPS tracking for your vehicles.
If you have questions about GPS tracking for your car, give us a call here at LiveViewGPS at 1-888-544-0494.
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