Keyless car theft explained and how to prevent it

It seems that as soon as a high-tech security measure comes along, crooks find a way to crack it. But with a bit of forethought and knowing how these systems work, it’s easy to beat the car thieves.

What is keyless entry?

With keyless entry, instead of pressing a button on your key fob to unlock your car, you don’t need to do anything. Just bring the fob close enough to the car in your pocket or bag and, hey presto, the doors unlock.

If you’ve got keyless ignition too, you can get in, push the start button and drive off. It can be a real time saver if you’ve got your hands full or are in a rush and don’t want to rummage for keys. But it’s how this handy system works that can make it vulnerable to tech-savvy thieves.

How does keyless entry work?

Instead of a normal fob sending a signal to the car locks only when it’s pressed, the keyless entry fobs are continually emitting a short-range signal. So, when you and your fob get close enough to the car’s receiver, about a couple of metres away, it knows you’re nearby and unlocks the doors.

Some cars even have hands-free boot opening, where you can wiggle your foot under the bumper and the boot lid automatically raises. The thing that makes keyless entry so simple and effective is the thing that can make it vulnerable – the continuous radio signal.

What is keyless car theft?

Most thieves rely on chance and opportunity. They hope that you’ve left your key in a bowl in the hallway. If you have, and parked your car right outside, they can simply open the car door, which will think you are still near.

If they can get within a couple of metres of your keys, by walking up to a door or window, your signal is detectable and can be relayed to another person with another transmitter near the car.

If your keys are more than 2 metres away, that’s not a problem for thieves with an amplifying scanner. These can pick up and transmit your fob’s signal over greater distances.

Is my keyless car insured for relay theft?

Your car, no matter what mechanism it’s fitted with to open it or start the ignition, is covered for theft. Of course, if it’s unlocked, in an insecure state or its keys are within reach while the car’s left unattended, it’s likely you wouldn’t be covered if it were stolen. Check your policy book for what applies in your situation.

How can you prevent keyless car theft?

Thieves are using all sorts of high-tech gadgetry to do something that, in days gone by, would have been done with just a crowbar and some hot-wiring. You can turn the tables and hijack their hi-tech attempts by going back to basics.

Radio waves are easily blocked. You can buy special key cases which block incoming and outgoing signals; look for ones with RFID or Faraday in the name.

You can use one to prevent the signal getting detected, jammed or cloned while you’re out and about – although that will cancel out the ‘hands-free’ entry advantage as you’ll need to remove the fob from the case to unlock your car.

Sometimes the old ideas are the best and actually something very simple can be enough deter a thief. While they are thinking about radio waves and computers, the more physical deterrents you can put in their way, the better.

Just some old-fashioned thinking and sensible, everyday precautions can work wonders combined with a touch of extra vigilance.