Are you concerned about the rising threat of keyless car theft? It’s a modern crime that can happen in mere seconds, leaving you without your vehicle and facing potential insurance hassles. This article will explain what keyless car theft is, how these sophisticated scanners work, and most importantly, detail the best ways to protect your car keys and prevent you from becoming a victim. Understand if your car is vulnerable to keyless entry theft and learn the practical steps you can take to safeguard your vehicle today.
Understanding Keyless Car Theft: How Scanners are Used
Keyless car theft, also known as relay theft or relay crime, exploits the technology behind keyless entry systems. Thieves use scanners to intercept and amplify the signal emitted by your car key fob, even when it’s inside your home.
How Keyless Car Theft Works: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
The process is surprisingly simple and alarmingly fast:
Step 1: Signal Interception: A thief, positioned outside your house, uses a device to scan for and capture the radio frequency signal emitted by your key fob.
Step 2: Signal Relay: This captured signal is then relayed to a second device held by an accomplice standing near your car.
Step 3: Vehicle Access Granted: The car is tricked into thinking the legitimate key fob is nearby. This unlocks the doors and allows the thieves to start the ignition, all without physically possessing your keys.
This entire process can take as little as 20 to 30 seconds, making it a swift and efficient method for car theft.
Distance is Key: How Close Do Thieves Need to Be?
Thieves using scanners don’t need to be right next to your keys. They only need to be within a few meters to successfully capture the signal. This is why simply keeping your keys indoors isn’t enough. Later in this article, we will discuss effective methods to block your car key signal and prevent this type of theft.
Keyless Car Theft: A Matter of Seconds
As mentioned, keyless car theft is incredibly fast. The speed at which thieves can steal a car using scanners is a significant factor in its increasing prevalence.
The Technology Behind the Theft: Relay Devices
The devices used in keyless car theft are specialized electronic equipment, often referred to as relay devices or scanners. These tools are designed specifically to capture, amplify, and retransmit the signals from keyless fobs.
Is Your Car at Risk? Identifying Keyless Entry Systems
It’s crucial to know if your car has a keyless entry system and is therefore vulnerable to scanner attacks.
How to Tell if You Have Keyless Entry:
- Passive Entry: If you can unlock and start your car without pressing any buttons on your key fob (as long as the fob is with you), you likely have keyless entry. You can typically open the door by simply touching the handle and start the ignition with a push-button start.
- Button Required for Entry: If you need to press a button on your key fob to unlock your car, your vehicle is not susceptible to this specific type of “relay” theft.
Keyless entry systems are designed for convenience, allowing you to keep your key fob in your pocket or bag. However, this convenience comes with the security risk of relay theft.
For a more detailed understanding of keyless entry systems, you can consult resources like guides explaining what keyless entry is.
Top Ways to Protect Your Car Keys from Scanners
Now that you understand the threat, let’s focus on the best ways to protect your car keys from scanners and prevent keyless car theft. Here are effective and practical tips:
1. Faraday Bag (Signal Blocking Pouch): The Best Defense
Using a signal blocking pouch, also known as a Faraday bag, is widely considered the best way to protect your car keys from scanners.
How Faraday Bags Work:
Faraday bags are lined with metallic materials that effectively block electromagnetic fields, including the radio frequencies emitted by your key fob. By placing your keys inside a Faraday bag, you create a barrier that prevents scanners from intercepting the signal.
Key Benefits of Faraday Bags:
- Effective Signal Blocking: They are specifically designed to block key fob signals, offering reliable protection against relay theft.
- Affordable and Convenient: Faraday bags are relatively inexpensive and easy to use daily.
- Versatile Protection: They can also block Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals, offering added privacy for your electronic devices.
Leading locksmiths recommend Faraday bags as a robust solution for preventing relay theft. As John Mutch Locksmith states, “The pouch which has a metallic lining… prevents signals from the remote key fob being intercepted by unwanted individuals.”
Cost-Effective Security: Signal blocking pouches are available for as little as £5, making them a very affordable security measure. You can find various Faraday/Signal Blocking Pouch Guides and reviews of the Best Signal Blocking Pouches online to choose the right one for you.
2. Disable Keyless Fob Wireless Signal: If Available
Some keyless fobs have a feature that allows you to manually turn off the wireless signal. This is another effective way to prevent scanners from accessing your key’s signal.
How to Disable the Signal:
- Check Your Car Manual: Consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual for instructions on how to deactivate the keyless fob’s wireless signal.
- Contact Manufacturer: If you cannot find information in the manual, contact your car manufacturer directly for guidance.
Disabling the signal when you are at home or in a safe location adds an extra layer of security. Resources like Wikihow guides to turning off fobs can provide more detailed instructions.
3. Steering Wheel Locks and Car Alarms: Physical Deterrents
While not directly preventing signal scanning, using a steering wheel lock or car alarm can act as a strong deterrent to thieves.
Steering Wheel Locks:
- Mechanical Security: Steering wheel locks are physical barriers that make it significantly harder to steer the car, even if thieves manage to start the engine.
- Visual Deterrent: They are also a visible deterrent, often discouraging thieves from targeting your vehicle in the first place.
When choosing a steering wheel lock, look for products with 3rd party approval such as Sold Secure. These products are tested against criminal tools, ensuring a higher level of security. You can find approved steering wheel locks on their website.
Car Alarms:
- Audible Deterrent: Car alarms alert you and those nearby if someone attempts to break into or steal your car.
- Insurance Benefits: Fitting an approved car alarm may even reduce your car insurance premiums. Check with your insurer to see if a car alarm impacts your insurance.
4. Secure Parking: Garage or Well-Lit Areas
Where you park your car can also play a role in preventing keyless car theft.
Garage Parking:
- Signal Distance: Parking your car in a garage overnight significantly increases the distance between your car and potential thieves trying to scan your key fob signal from outside your home.
- Physical Barrier: A garage provides a physical barrier, making it more difficult for thieves to access your vehicle discreetly.
Defensive Driveway Parking:
- Proximity to Home: If you don’t have a garage, park your car as close to your house as possible on your driveway.
- Well-Lit Areas: If street parking is necessary, choose well-lit areas to deter thieves.
Enhancing your home security with outdoor motion detector lighting and CCTV cameras can also add an extra layer of protection. Consult a local MLA master locksmith for a home security check and advice on upgrading your outdoor security. You can also find useful Home Security Tips and Outdoor Security Advice online.
5. VIN Etching: Making Your Car Less Desirable
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) etching involves permanently marking your car’s windows and headlights with your VIN.
How VIN Etching Helps:
- Difficult to Re-identify: Etching makes it much harder for thieves to resell your car or its parts, as altering the VIN on etched glass is challenging and time-consuming.
- Deterrent: This can deter thieves from targeting your vehicle, as it becomes less attractive for resale.
Consider if VIN etching is worth it for your vehicle as an additional security measure.
6. Keep Your Car Tidy: Reduce Temptation
While not directly related to scanner protection, keeping your car tidy can help prevent theft in general.
Reduce Visibility of Valuables:
- Hide Electronic Devices: Keep items like Sat Navs and mobile phones out of sight.
- Empty Glove Box: Keep your glove box empty and even open to show there’s nothing to steal.
- Remove Suction Cup Marks: Clean away any marks left by Sat Nav suction cups on your windscreen, which can indicate valuable devices are present.
7. Secure Lost Car Keys: Prevent Exploitation
If you lose your car keys, prompt action is crucial to prevent them from being used by thieves.
Contact an Auto Locksmith:
- Key Deletion: A local MLA auto locksmith can reprogram your car’s system to ensure the lost keys can no longer be used.
- Key Reprogramming: They can also reprogram new keys for you, ensuring only your current keys will work with your vehicle.
Learn about the best way to replace lost car keys and the importance of car key programming.
8. Reprogram Second-hand Car Keys: Ensure Security
If you purchase a second-hand vehicle, there’s a risk that not all key sets have been provided.
Reprogram Keys for Peace of Mind:
- Prevent Previous Owner Access: Reprogramming your car keys ensures that any keys held by previous owners will no longer work, enhancing your vehicle’s security.
- Auto Locksmith Services: Hire an auto locksmith for potentially cheaper reprogramming services compared to dealerships. Be aware that car key programming costs can vary depending on the vehicle model.
Car Models at Risk of Keyless Car Theft
Any car with a keyless entry system is potentially vulnerable to relay theft. Popular models like Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Qashqai, and Ford Focus have been identified as being at risk, as reported by the BBC in their article on Hundreds of popular cars ‘at risk of keyless theft.
The General German Automobile Club (ADAC) conducted a study testing 237 keyless cars and found that a staggering 230 could be unlocked and started using relay crime techniques. You can view the Keyless Cars Tested for more details.
Thatcham Keyless Car Security Ratings
In 2019, Thatcham, a UK automotive research center, introduced security ratings specifically for keyless entry car models based on their resistance to relay theft.
Keyless Entry Cars That Passed the Thatcham Test (Superior Security Rating):
| Keyless Entry Vehicle Model | Pass Or Fail | Security Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Audi e-tron | Pass | Superior |
| BMW 1 Series / 7 Series / 8 Series | Pass | Superior |
| BMW X6 / X7 | Pass | Superior |
| Ford Puma | Pass | Superior |
| Jaguar XE | Pass | Superior |
| Land Rover Evoque | Pass | Superior |
| Mercedes B-Class | Pass | Superior |
| Porsche 911 | Pass | Superior |
| Porsche Macan | Pass | Superior |
| Volkswagen Passat | Pass | Superior |
Keyless Entry Cars That Failed the Thatcham Test (Poor Security Rating):
| Keyless Entry Vehicle Model | Pass Or Fail | Security Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DS3 Crossback | Fail | Poor |
| Ford Mondeo | Fail | Poor |
| Kia ProCeed | Fail | Poor |
| Lexus UX | Fail | Poor |
| Hyundai Nexo | Fail | Poor |
| Mazda 3 | Fail | Poor |
| Toyota Corolla | Fail | Poor |
| Toyota RAV-4 | Fail | Poor |
| Volvo V60 | Fail | Poor |
Keyless Car Theft FAQs
Does Putting Car Keys in a Tin Block the Signal?
Storing your car key fob in a metallic tin may offer some signal blocking capability. A metallic container can potentially disrupt the signal relay attempts by thieves.
Testing is Recommended: If you choose to use a metallic tin, test its effectiveness by trying to unlock your car with the keys inside the tin while standing near your vehicle. If it doesn’t unlock, the tin may be providing some level of signal blocking.
Faraday Bag is More Reliable: For consistent and reliable signal blocking, a signal blocking pouch (Faraday bag) is the recommended and more secure solution.
Where Should I Keep My Car Keys at Night?
For optimal protection against keyless car theft, store your car key fob in a signal blocking pouch (Faraday pouch) every night. Additionally, place your keys as far away from external doors and windows as possible to minimize the risk of signal interception.
Will My Car Insurance Cover Keyless Car Theft?
Most car insurance policies will cover theft, including cases of keyless car theft. However, insurers may require proof that you still possess all sets of keys for the stolen vehicle.
Check with Your Insurer: It’s always recommended to check with your insurer to confirm the specifics of your policy regarding keyless car theft coverage and any required proof of key possession. Car theft payouts reached record highs in 2019, partly attributed to the rise of relay crime.
Are Car Manufacturers Taking Action Against Keyless Car Theft?
Yes, some car manufacturers are actively implementing preventative measures to combat keyless car theft.
Manufacturer Initiatives:
- Kia Faraday Bags: Kia is providing their own Faraday bags to customers to help block key fob signals.
- Motion Sensor Key Fobs: Ford, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes have introduced Motion Sensor Key Fobs in some models. These fobs enter a sleep mode after a period of inactivity (e.g., 40 seconds), preventing signal capture by scanners until motion is detected again.
Are Vans Also Vulnerable to Keyless Theft?
Yes, vans are also susceptible to keyless theft. In 2018, there was a reported increase in keyless van thefts, with Ford Transits being a frequently targeted model.
What is the Future of Relay Theft Prevention?
Industry stakeholders are actively working to address keyless car theft. Our Managing Director, Steffan George, has engaged with law enforcement and car manufacturers to call for increased action against vehicle thefts.
Proactive Measures are Key: In the meantime, taking proactive steps like using a Faraday pouch remains the most effective way for car owners to protect their vehicles from relay theft.
Questions About Keyless Car Theft?
If you have further concerns about keyless car theft, please contact us or consult with a licensed car locksmith in your area for expert advice.
Contact us about keyless car theft
Find a local car locksmith for advice
