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How Vehicles are Being Stolen and What You Can Do to Stop it

Jan 6, 2022
Categories: Car Insurance
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Police in Waterloo Region and throughout southern Ontario are warning car owners of new techniques that thieves are using to steal vehicles from driveways.
These techniques are taking advantage of technologies that are installed in cars to make it more convenient for drivers but at the same time easier for thieves to get away with theft. The first uses the keyless entry feature to “relay” the signal from the car’s fob to open the door and start the car.
A device is brought to the scene where it captures the fob’s signal and duplicates it to open the door. Once inside, a thief can program a new fob which allows them to start the vehicle and drive off. Videos have shown this can all be done in just a few minutes.
More recently, police are warning of a tracking device that can be placed on the vehicle in a parking lot then traced back to a residence. An Apple device called AirTag, designed to help you locate misplaced items, is now being used to attach to and track high-end vehicles to later be stolen from a victim’s home.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT YOUR CAR FROM BEING STOLEN?

Police services are sharing a few tips to help deter these new types of auto thefts:

• If possible, park your vehicle in a locked garage. Most vehicles are stolen from a driveway. If you don’t have a garage, park strategically: Park the more expensive or commonly stolen vehicle in front of another one

• Keep your keys away from the doors closest to your vehicles. For added protection, consider using a faraway pouch or box that can help block the fob’s RFID signal from being relayed

• Use a steering wheel lock which will also act as a visible deterrent

• Install a lock on the data port below the dashboard. This device can be purchased online and blocks access to the computer port the thieves use to reprogram keys

• Purchase a quality video surveillance system

• Inspect your vehicle regularly and report any suspicious tracking devices

• Never leave your car running and unattended (eg. warming it up)

• Owners of a Lexus S350, Ford F150, Toyota Highlander or Honda C-RV should be ultra-vigilant

WHAT VEHICLES ARE MOST OFTEN STOLEN IN CANADA?

The Insurance Bureau of Canada recently released its annual Top 10 list of most stolen vehicles across the country. They are:

1) Ford F150 / F250 / F350 / F450 Series
2) Honda CR-V Series
3) Chevrolet / GMC Silverado / Sierra 1500 / 2500 / 3500 Series
4) Dodge / Ram 1500 / 2500 / 3500 Series
5) Lexus RX350 / RX450 Series
6) Honda Civic Series
7) Toyota Highlander Series
8) Chrysler / Dodge Town & Country / Grand Caravan / Caravan / Voyager
9) Toyota Corolla Series
10) Honda Accord Series

Source: Insurance Business Magazine

. . .

Be Wise. Staebler Insurance is a general insurance broker specializing in auto insurance, home insurance, small business, and commercial insurance. Staebler brokers proudly serve Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Stratford, Listowel, Fergus, Elora, Wellington County, Perth County, Waterloo Region and southern Ontario. Get started with a free quote today.

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