Thieves Are Using Electronic Devices to Break Into Locked Cars

[carolinarider09]

I had to use the headline from the article linked below because I could not think of any other wording.

While it does sound strange to me that this would work, what the article says is that thieves are using electronic devices to pickup signals from key fobs and using that signal to unlock a car. 

They are apparently standing outside of a home and doing this. 

While it does seem highly improbable that there is a signal from the key FOB when it is not in use there might well be some key FOBs that always are sending a signal. Like when I get near my new Subaru it seems to know I am there and that can only be via the key FOB.  And at that time the key FOB is not inserted in the ignition but near it.

My question is, if the above is correct it would seem that an RFI enclosure would resolve the issue.  There are other reasons for an RFI enclosure but ...

Anyone have an RFI enclosure? 

If you do would you reccomend it for this purpose. 

If not do you have any other thoughts on the validity of the information in the link below?


https://www.wistv.com/2024/04/29/thieves-are-using-electronic-devices-break-into-locked-cars/?tbref=hp

[Serk]

Take a look at the Flipper Zero, fascinating little gadget and I'm guessing what the article is referring to...

https://flipperzero.one/

I take the opposite approach - I never lock my car. I also keep nothing of value in my car and carry full insurance.

If someone wants to get in I don't want them breaking the windows or door, etc, let 'em get in, see there's nothing worth having and move on. If they wanna steal the car, that's where the insurance comes in.

(Or if I see 'em on my cameras, there are..... other options...)

[Oss]

you can buy a faraday cage for your phone

google them

that shoud do the trick, just keep key fob in the little envelope till ready

here is a cheap 4 pack

https://www.amazon.com/Protector-Anti-Theft-Anti-Tracking-Fireproof-Waterproof/dp/B0C89HPVVD/ref=asc_df_B0C89HPVVD/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrcKxBhBMEiwAIVF8rDw8TwaJDpWYkWGmjRT9VaYSglV8vdVROmkNzYDqnM7s0AGXqt_JsxoCBY8QAvD_BwE&hvadid=693365609685&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl&hvlocint&hvlocphy=9004172&hvnetw=g&hvpone&hvpos&hvptwo&hvqmt&hvrand=9163688882458230535&hvtargid=pla-2203894080146&linkCode=df0&mcid=eb4e11b022ed357eace9e6bf5e1bb069&psc=1&tag=hyprod-20

[Serk]

The problem with the Faraday cage until you need to use it approach is that they can still record the sequence from the keyfob when you DO use it, then you've gone to all that trouble for nothing...

[Jess from VA]

Simple solution; drive old cars.  The electronic device won't help thieves, and they don't want your car anyway.  

I lock my truck (in the driveway), my house is lit on all four sides at night (bright in front, dim in back/sides), with a 7 foot sold fence around the back (8 foot locking gates).  A very solid split rail fence just inside the sidewalk all the way round the front of my corner lot.  The street light (recently updated with great LED bulbs) is right next to my driveway, lighting the truck and driveway even more.  Heavy and old landscape is well trimmed to provide good fields of fire from every window.  My place says... skip this house, this guy is serious about security.  I have no cameras at all (but how would they know?).

In 30 years, the only thing I lost was an old mower I made the mistake of leaving on the curb while I worked in back for a while.  Now this neighborhood has a long tradition of leaving stuff on the curb which is free to a good home, but that mower was still hot from use.  Some dipstick took it anyway.  I was looking to get a new one, so now I had an excuse.  

[John Schmidt]

That system is used more for getting into cars than homes. It's a problem in most metro areas in Florida. Sometime just note how far away your car will respond to your key fob, that's how far away a thief can be to pick up the fob code with his little electronic doodad. One thing I never do is lock the car using the key fob, always use the button on the inside of the door. In Fla. a thief will stand in front of a store or sit in their car and wait until someone pulls into a spot, gets out and as they walk away will hit the lock button on the fob. Bingo...they gotcha! Soon as you disappear inside they use that code to enter your car, take what they like and then lock it when done. The owner is none the wiser until they go looking for what was taken and have no idea how it happened. I know of one guy that turned the tables on a thief once in the Tampa area if memory serves. He watched and soon the above scenario took place. When the thief left his car, the observer locked it and apparently had a method to jam the coding...or whatever takes place. In any case, when the thief returned to his car with a couple shopping bags that he had taken, he was locked out. Meanwhile the local LEO's were called and I understand he spent some time working for the county...against his will!

[Jess from VA]

Sometime just note how far away your car will respond to your key fob, that's how far away a thief can be to pick up the fob code with his little electronic doodad.  One thing I never do is lock the car using the key fob, always use the button on the inside of the door.

That is excellent information and advice John.   

I can lock my truck (or check to see if it's locked) through my kitchen window.

It seems to me that one of the biggest risks for this would be in parking lots (grocery, big box, malls, Walmart, yada).  I always look for anyone close to me, but not for someone using a machine to steal my lock code.  And you can hang out by your car, walk or push a cart around a parking lot and not stand out at all.   

[carolinarider09]

Great information.  I was making the wrong assumption. 

For some reason, I thought it was reading the device when it was not being used. 

Makes a lot more sense that it's reading the device when its actually used.  Never considered someone would actually do that, but, again, in hindsight, it's just a matter of capture and interpretation.   

What is also interesting and maybe a reason, the remote control for my new (2024) Subaru has a shorter range than the remote for my wife's 2016 Subaru. 

[Sorcerer]

My 2016 KIA I could lock unlock from almost 100 feet away. My 2024 Subaru remote doesn’t see me until I’m within 6-8 feet. I use the door handle to lock and unlock. The front door handles sets the alarm and disarms it.

[Hook#3287]

Using the door lock button is good advice.  I'm starting a new habit today.

Leave the car, hit the door lock button.

[Jess from VA]

The rocker lock button on my doors only does the rear and side doors. (2500 Ram Promaster)

There is apparently some other button on the dash that locks the front, but it may take two hits.

It may be a big red button that I've always been afraid to touch.   

There's also a 4-way button in there somewhere, and I don't know how to do that either.   

I suppose another look through the big two volume manual is in order. 

I would prefer not to lock myself completely out of the truck.

I just had the auto glass people out to fix another windshield stone hit.  I never follow anyone closely, but that windshield is as big as New Mexico and is apparently a rock magnet. 

[Jess from VA]

Well, after a good deal of manual reading with no luck finding how to lock the van front doors without the fob, I went to a Promaster forum and discovered (a lot of people complaining about the goofy system):

The only way I can lock my truck front doors without the fob, is with the key in the driver's door.  There is no button to push to lock the front doors (only the side and rear doors).  You can lock all doors from inside, but opening a front door unlocks the front doors.  There's only a keyhole on the driver's door, but using it locks or unlocks both front doors. 

Who knew?   

[carolinarider09]

Just something I thought about this morning. 

I only got one "electronic" key with my new to me 2024 Subaru Outback.  I was suppose to get a second one but, not as of yet. 

But I did get a "Valet" key.  And I sort of wondered why and what good did it do.  It appears to be a "manual" key that opens all the locks on the car but has no electronics which might limit what when can do inside the car.

I know that the car does sense the person of the "electronic" key and that must cause something to not happen..  Never checked. 

[Serk]

Test it out before relying on it too much, valet keys usually won't unlock glove boxes and/or trunks...

[carolinarider09]

Test it out before relying on it too much, valet keys usually won't unlock glove boxes and/or trunks...

Thanks.  I did not ask about it when I was given it and wondered how and what and why.  That makes sense. 

The only reason I brought it was the other comments above about not using the remote key FOB in the "wild".   I could easily use it to unlock front door and then use the real key for everything else. 

[Jess from VA]

I remember having a little metal key holder that slid open and closed, and was magnetized.

I'd load a spare set of keys (2) in it and either stick it inside a big metal bumper from the bottom, or lay down and stick it on top the lower frame of the car.

If you lost or forgot your keys, there was a set hidden in the car.  I vaguely remember being glad I did this, several times.  One time in WVa, my pants with keys in the pocket were lost when the canoe went over in some white water. 

You would not do that with a fob key.

[Willow]

...
The only reason I brought it was the other comments above about not using the remote key FOB in the "wild".   I could easily use it to unlock front door and then use the real key for everything else. 

You can have a key made without the electronics.  It will open everything manually.  I have one but only as a backup.  I am not too concerned about someone reading my digital key.