How to protect your vehicle with keyless entry system

Kawartha Lakes Police are warning owners of vehicles with a keyless entry system, that your vehicle could be the target of high-tech thieves using radio signals to unlock and start your vehicle.

How does this work? Thieves stand near the front door of the house and using a device which captures the signal being emitted from your vehicles keyless fob, which is somewhere near the entrance inside your home.

The device used is a radio frequency amplifier which captures the fob’s signal from inside the house and extends it so that it can reach your vehicle. The boosted signal tricks your vehicle into thinking the fob is next to the door. The signal unlocks the vehicle and starts the vehicle’s engine, allowing thieves to get in and drive away.

Steps to protecting your vehicle:

• Park in the garage
• Block your vehicle between your garage and a second less sought-after vehicle
• Install motion detection light and exterior surveillance cameras at home to act as a deterrent
• Remove valuable from vehicle to make it less inviting
• Store keys as far away from front door as possible
• Store keys in a container to block FOB signals such as RFID pouches
• Consider install secondary security of alarm system, such as steering wheel lock
• Consider adding a tracking device to your vehicle

If you see something, say something. If something seems wrong, notify Kawartha Lakes Police at 705.324.5252.

Describe specifically what you observed, including: who or what you saw; when you saw it; where it occurred; and why it’s suspicious.

If there is an emergency, call 9-1-1.