Keyless automotive house owners warned as gangs use Game Boy-style devices to steal automobiles – consultants share 5 methods to spice up safety

KEYLESS automobiles have gotten more and more susceptible to theft as criminals flip to classy instruments like Game Boy-style emulators, consultants warn.

Alarmingly, most mechanics now take into account conventional automotive alarms ineffective as deterrents.

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The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) says car theft within the UK has surged by 75% over the previous decade, with 130,000 automobiles stolen yearly.

This pattern has sparked requires smarter, tech-based options to discourage automotive thieves.

According to Fix My Car, automotive house owners ought to undertake a number of layered safety methods and fashionable instruments to assist shield their motors – together with engine immobilisers and GPS trackers.

Indeed, solely 5% of mechanics belief conventional automotive alarms as efficient deterrents, though on a regular basis precautions, resembling holding keys hidden, parking in well-lit areas and checking on automobiles commonly stay important habits.

Matt Wrankmore, Head of Garage Network at FixMyCar, stated: “Car theft is no longer just about smashing windows or hot-wiring ignitions.

“Criminals are more cyber-savvy than ever, so drivers need to respond with a balanced approach using both smart technology and visible deterrents.”

And he added: “There are definite benefits to using traditional deterrents in your car, and many manufacturers still recommend steering wheel locks despite advances in vehicle security tech.

“I believe drivers returning to these methods are on the right track but we need to use all the tools available.

“That means combining mechanical immobilisers and telematics trackers with visual deterrents like steering wheel locks and alarm stickers.

“And let’s not forget the cheapest and most overlooked measure of common sense.

“Keeping your keys hidden, parking in well-lit areas with CCTV, and checking on your car regularly are all simple habits that still go a long way.”

The rise in automotive thefts has additionally uncovered vulnerabilities in high-end automobiles, resembling Hyundai’s electrical Ioniq 5.

A livid driver, Adam Metselaar, threatened to sue the agency final yr after his £47,000 keyless automotive was stolen in simply 31 seconds utilizing a gadget disguised as a Nintendo Game Boy.

Despite holding his automotive keys in a protecting field to stop cloning, the thieves bypassed the system utilizing a hi-tech “emulator” hidden contained in the casing of the gaming machine.

The gray Ioniq 5 was traced 4 miles away utilizing an Apple AirTag, nevertheless it had sustained £10,000 price of harm.

Hyundai admitted that related thefts have affected a minimum of 26 automobiles in London, as per September final yr.

They later up to date their Bluelink software program to introduce further anti-theft options.

As summer season holidays immediate many motorists to depart their automobiles unattended, FixMyCar is encouraging drivers to take proactive measures to guard their automobiles.

A mix of recent monitoring units, seen deterrents and easy precautions can go a great distance in safeguarding automobiles from more and more subtle thieves.