Theft

Cars with starting mechanisms and keyless entry are vulnerable to crime, such as relay theft, which is on the rise. If you have a keyless car, there are several options you can explore to help protect you and your vehicle from relay attacks.

If you have any troubles with your car or you need to fix your windows or doors – reach out to the Garage Door Repair Hamilton

How does relay theft work?

Using an amplifier, tech-savvy criminals can easily boost the original key signal from inside the car owner’s home to a transmitter, thus effectively allowing the car door to be unlocked and the thieves to drive away. The transmitters and amplifiers can be bought from the dark web.

Is my car at risk of relay theft?

Any car with keyless entry technology is at risk of relay theft. If you have the key on your person, it will unlock the car as you approach. You’re not at risk if you manually insert a key or press a button on the key to access the car. As it stands, roughly 11% of all on-the-road cars have keyless entry technology. Thieves find them especially appealing as they’re likely to be the more expensive models.

How can I protect my vehicle from relay theft?

To help people protect their vehicles from relay theft, here’s a list of effective measures:

• Store your key inside your home and away from doors and windows. Having your keys by the front door may be convenient, but it’s also easy for thieves to pick up the signal. The further away the keys are from your vehicle, the more difficult you make it for criminals to pick up the signal and unlock your car.

• Physical barriers: attachment steering wheel locks, driveway parking posts/bollards, or locked garages. If you need advice on optimal locks for your security device or garage, we can help.

• Switch off your key. Some key models allow you to turn off the signal when your car is not in use. The instruction manual may have this information, or you can ask a locksmith.

• Signal blockers/metal boxes or containers can prevent relay thieves from picking up the signal. For extra security, you could also purchase a Faraday pouch, which is made from material specifically designed to block these types of signals. Make sure to test that the signal blocker works. Approach your car with the key inside the Faraday pouch, box, or container. The car should stay locked if the blocker is working.

• Key protectors. These are ultra-thin circuit boards wrapped around your key remote’s battery, which we can apply for you. They deactivate the signal when they detect the key is idle. Simply tapping the key with your hand on your handbag or pocket will reactivate it.