OUTsurance, Ireland’s newest car insurance provider, is urging motorists to take extra precautions to avoid keyless car thefts following warnings about the trend issued by Gardaí in Limerick and Clare in recent weeks.
In the UK, the manipulation of a signal from a remote locking device was involved in 40% of all vehicle thefts, with a hotspot in London where signal jammers were estimated to be involved in 60% of such crimes.
The warning follows new CSO motor theft statistics published recently, which showed a 7% year-on-year increase in Co. Galway from 89 to 95. Nationally, the figures showed an annual decrease of 8%, from 7,895 to 7,260 – significantly ahead of the pre-pandemic figure of 4,746 recorded in 2019.
Keyless car thefts, also known as ‘relay theft’, involves criminals using technology to replicate the electronic signal of a vehicle’s remote locking and keyless ignition systems to simply gain the ability to unlock and, in the case of keyless ignition, start a vehicle.
This tricks the car into believing the key is present, with thieves able to drive off within minutes. Another technique involves using signal jammers, where motorists attempting to lock their car with a click of their fob have their attempt foiled by criminals using equipment to block the wireless technology.
Limerick and Clare Gardaí are now both highlighting the increasing risk posed by this form of car theft in recent weeks. OUTsurance is issuing advice to all Irish motorists to be vigilant and take simple precautions such as purchasing a Faraday pouch to store their keys.
Faraday pouches, which are cheaply available on sites like Amazon, are small bags made of metallic substances that block the devices within the pouch from being interfered with through relay attacks.
Alternative low-tech solutions include keeping keys in the fridge or a metal container such as a biscuit tin. Motorists are also advised to observe their vehicle to ensure that it has been locked correctly before walking away.
OUTsurance has shared tips with motorists to help them prevent relay theft:
1. Use a Faraday Bag Store your car keys in a signal-blocking Faraday pouch at home. These pouches prevent criminals from amplifying the signal from your key.
2. Store Keys in a Metal Container If you do not have a Faraday bag, a simple metal biscuit tin or other sealed metal container can help block the signal from being intercepted.
3. Keep Keys Away from Doors and Windows Avoid leaving keys near your front door, hallway table, or window ledges where signals can be easily accessed from outside your home.
4. Consider a Steering Wheel Lock While relay theft is electronic, a visible physical deterrent can slow thieves down and make your vehicle a less attractive target.
5. Install an Immobiliser An aftermarket immobiliser can prevent the engine from starting without additional authentication.
Chief Marketing Officer at OUTsurance Ireland Ian Kennedy said, “People are generally unaware that with the click of a few buttons, criminals can steal your car in minutes without so much as leaving a dent.”
“The days of smashing a window or using a wire hanger to unlock a car are things of the past. As vehicles become more advanced, unfortunately, so have the methods used by thieves.”
“We want to make people aware of relay theft before it becomes a widespread problem, as it has in the UK, with some simple steps motorists can take to keep their vehicles protected.”
“The general advice people might have heard about keeping their keys safe is to avoid leaving them near the front door for fear that someone would stick a fishing rod through the letter box to steal them.”
“We all need to be extra vigilant in light of advanced techniques being used by criminals. Small changes in behaviour, like taking a glance at your car after clicking the button to make sure it actually locked, could potentially save people a lot of heartache.”
“While insurance provides important protection, prevention remains the most effective line of defence.”
