Thieves use new method to steal cars without needing the keys, experts warn

01 November 2023 , 19:20

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Car crime has been on the rise recently (file image) (Image: Getty Images/Image Source)

Motorists have been warned to take urgent steps to protect their cars as sophisticated thieves are using a new method in as many as nine in 10 thefts, experts say.

The increase in more modern cars on the roads over recent years means criminals are now able to target those using keyless technology. The most common method is known as a ‘relay attack’ and involves two criminals working together using an electronic signal relay to intercept a key fob signal, usually when the key fob is within the victim’s home.

Thieves can also drive off ‘in seconds’ using a method gaining popularity where they hack of a car’s CAN bus or circuit board to disable locking and alarm systems.

Only half of stolen cars ever get recovered as they end up in an illegal ‘chop shop’ where the parts are stripped out and sold. Tips to help protect cars include introducing physical barriers like a locked garage or concrete posts on the driveway to help deter criminals. Keys can also be placed in pouches which can easily be bought online and block attempts to clone signals.

Stolen vehicle recovery expert, Clive Wain, who is head of police liaison for TRACKER Network UK, a security partner to insurers , told BirminghamLive: “Criminals are very sophisticated when it comes to electronically compromising cars, as shown by the 25% rise in vehicle theft that occurred last year. Thieves exploiting technological vulnerabilities is a huge problem facing car owners, with thefts as a result of a relay attack or CAN bus hacking sadly all too common today.”

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Whilst the car insurance firm added: "As most modern cars have electric car keys, preventing the risk of a relay attack by housing your key in a Faraday pouch will block any electromagnetic signals being transmitted from your key - which could be in your home - to a relay device - which a criminal could be held outside if your front door."

Richard Guttridge