The Rise of Keyless Car Theft: How to Protect Yours!

Keyless car theft, also known as relay theft, is a method used by thieves to steal cars that use smart keyless entry systems. Criminals don’t need the physical key to break into your car when there is keyless entry.

How does Keyless Car Theft Work?

1. Criminals use a device called a relay box, to detect the signal from your keyless entry fob. The relay box will then amplify the signal from the fob, which is usually sat near your front door.

2. The amplified signal is relayed to another device, which tricks the car into thinking the key fob is nearby.

3. Your car will unlock and be started, which allows the criminals to drive your car, without ever needing the physical key.

That is all it takes. Its an incredibly simply and easy way to steal someone’s car, it can take as little as 20 seconds for a criminal to pull up and steal your car.

Is My Car Keyless Entry?

If your car keys have push button, then it does not have keyless entry. Only cars with a keyless entry system can be stolen using relay equipment.

A keyless entry system means your car will unlock when you are close to it, your ‘key’ can still be in your pocket. Once you are in your car, you will need to push a button to start the engine.

How To Prevent Keyless Car Theft

Faraday Pouch

This is a signal blocking pouch, made with conductive material, it blocks the electric fields and electromagnetic waves emitted by your keyless fob. While inside, your fob is unbale to communicate with your car, this is because the signal is trapped inside the cage. This stops thieves using the relay method from stealing your car, because there is no signal to amplify.

Its important you always keep the pouch sealed properly, as even a small opening can let the signal leak out, enough to be amplified by a criminal. Its always best practice to test your faraday pouch to make sure its effective. Put your fob in the pouch, go to your car and try to open it, if the car doesn’t respond, then it’s working.

On some cheaper faraday pouches can lose their effectiveness over time, so its worth doing your research and spending a bit more money to keep your keyless car safe.

Keep Your Keys Away from the Doors

The closer to the car, the easier it is for a thief to amplify the signal. So, if you don’t want to use a faraday pouch, keep your keys as far away as possible from the front door, or wherever is furthest from the car.

Secure Your Car Physically

You can add physical precautions to secure you car, that way a thief who successfully magnifies the signal, can’t physically drive away. Products such as a steering wheel lock, gear shift lock or wheel clamp will stop most people trying to steal your car. Using a garage is also a good way to keep your car secure.

Upgrade Your Car Security Systems

Install a car alarm or immobilizer, these types of systems make it harder for someone to steal your car. They alert you and make it more difficult for a thief to start the engine without the real key.

You can install a GPS tracker; this won’t stop your car being stolen but might make it easier to find if it is.

Can You Stop Keyless Car Theft?

There is nothing that make car theft 100% avoidable, keyless or not. But you can take sensible steps and be proactive about your keyless car security. The most important thing you can do is to block the signal, when you’re not using the car. All other steps could work with any car, but blocking the signal from your keyless entry system is he best wat to prevent the relay theft.