Eydens Auto Locksmiths and Vehicle Security clarify why key cloning and relay attacks are key issues for drivers to be aware of.
Auto locksmith and vehicle security specialists, Eydens Auto Locksmiths and Vehicle Security, are encouraging motorists to be mindful of the threat of keyless car theft. This comes as more sophisticated technology is enabling organised criminals to steal vehicles in minutes, even without forced entry or access to the owner’s keys.
Drawing on national crime data and industry reports, Eydens believes many drivers are unaware of how relay attacks, signal interception and key cloning work, despite these methods accounting for a sizable proportion of UK thefts.
The Rise in Criminal Exploitation of Keyless Vehicle Technology
Eydens has seen growing demand for emergency locksmith callouts and requests for advanced car security advice, and believes that forewarning car owners may be one of the most effective ways to prevent car thefts.
The company notes that modern keyless entry systems, now standard on newer cars and designed to make driving more convenient, may have vulnerabilities linked to the way they allow owners to unlock or start vehicles without removing fobs from pockets or bags.
One common method of theft is a relay attack. Thieves use equipment to capture and rebroadcast a key fob’s signal, tricking the in-car sensors into believing that the key is nearby, allowing criminals to unlock doors and drive away.
Alongside relay attacks, criminals are using signal-jamming equipment and car key programming devices, making vehicle theft faster and harder to intercept than traditional break-ins.
Statistics Demonstrating the Scale of Theft Risks Affecting Keyless Cars
Recent data, extracted from information collated by Admiral Insurance and reported by the BBC, shows that:
- 60% to 70% of vehicle thefts involve keyless models
- Over 100,000 cars and vehicles were reported stolen in the UK last year
- Organised crime gangs with specialist equipment increasingly carry out thefts
- Devices that intercept or clone key fob signals are being sold on ‘black sites’ and marketplaces
Eydens Auto Security suggests that drivers consider vehicle security in the same way they protect homes and online bank accounts, with Company owner Rob Eyden commenting that, ‘Many drivers assume that car thefts are all about smashing windows, or forcing locks, but that’s no longer the most common scenario.
Criminals are investing in advanced equipment that enables them to quickly and quietly target modern, keyless vehicles, often leaving owners completely unaware they’re being targeted until they discover their car has disappeared. Knowing how these thefts happen and being informed about the strategies criminals exploit is often the first step to helping prevent them.’
Guidance for Car Owners to Help Reduce Theft Risks
Manufacturers are installing new and ever-improving factory-standard security features, but Eydens recommends that drivers remain cautious. Owners can make vehicles less attractive to criminals by using aftermarket security devices and services that reinforce standard protections.
Drivers are advised to:
- Store key fobs away from external doors and ground-floor windows, ideally inside a signal-blocking Faraday pouch.
- Disable their keys when vehicles are parked overnight where possible.
- Install Thatcham-approved immobilisers or vehicle trackers, especially where the vehicle’s model or value makes a theft attempt more likely.
- Double-check that doors, windows and boots are locked before leaving a car for the night.
- Consider visible deterrents and electronic security measures.
- Keep software updated to ensure digital immobilisers and in-built devices continue to operate as expected.
Rob says, ‘Vehicle security has evolved considerably, but we’d reiterate that most security measures are simple and inexpensive, especially compared to the cost of car thefts. Taking a few extra precautions can dramatically reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim, while also minimising the stress and disruption of insurance claims and replacing stolen keys or vehicles.’
About Eydens Auto Locksmiths and Vehicle Security
Eydens Auto Locksmiths and Vehicle Security have over 20 years of experience and are members of both the MLA and the ALA, providing auto lock and key services to motorists in Coventry, Rugby, Nuneaton, Bedworth, Kenilworth, Leamington, Stratford upon Avon and Warwick.
