“This is a very stupid problem to have,” a Hartford, Connecticut police official told reporters last month as he explained that auto theft is on the rise because car owners make it so easy. A New York Times report finds that car theft, after nearly four decades of decline, is becoming more common because owners keep leaving key fobs in their cars.
Keyless ignition should make life harder for car thieves. They could once steal a car by breaking into the ignition system and rewiring it. But microchipped key fobs made that technique ineffective. If the fob isn’t in the vehicle, the car can’t be started even with conventional hotwiring techniques.
But police nationwide report a dramatic increase in stolen cars in recent years, often, the fob is simply left in the car when no one is in it. “The situation has left law enforcement struggling to keep up with a deluge of car thefts. In some places, the endless caseload has threatened to overburden smaller police departments,” the Times reports.
“In New York City, 6,858 vehicles were stolen in 2020, up from 3,988 the year before. Of those taken in 2020, more than 3,450 were stolen while they were running.”
Short term theft a thing
Many are found just a few miles from where they were stolen. Siage Hosea, a Los Angeles Police Department lieutenant who works on that city’s Task Force for Regional Auto Theft Protection, told the Times that thefts occur because they are so convenient. He adds that stealing a car is a quick alternative to public transportation. “People do not want to ride on mass transit because of the pandemic. Or it could be that people can’t afford to get a taxi or an Uber because of the economics of the times.”
Outright theft is just one way car owners can be ripped off. Whether you’re buying or selling a car, protect yourself with our Fraud Awareness Tips.
Automakers are exploring technological solutions that may include biometric scanners that ensure a vehicle can only be driven by its owner. But, while your next car might scan your iris to identify you before it arms the start button, we’d be remiss not to note that a low-tech solution can protect you from many car thieves now: just take the key fob with you.
