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Keyless cars 'increasingly targeted by thieves using computers'


Adrian@TORQEN

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Organised criminal gangs are increasingly targeting high-end cars with keyless security systems, a UK motoring industry group has warned.

 

The thieves are able to bypass security using equipment intended only for mechanics, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.

 

Manufacturers are trying to stay ahead of the thieves by updating software.

 

It has been reported that some London-based owners of Range Rovers have been denied insurance over the issue.

 

The warnings echoed those made by the US National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), which earlier this year said it had seen a "spike" in car thefts involving equipment to spoof keyless entry.

 

Keyless entry and ignition typically works by the driver keeping a fob on their person which automatically opens the car and activates it so it can be driven.

 

As the popularity of keyless systems has increased, criminals have been buying equipment online that is able to re-programme keys.

 

"The criminal act of stealing vehicles through the re-programming of remote-entry keys is an on-going industry-wide problem," said Jaguar Land Rover.

 

"Our line-up continues to meet the insurance industry requirements as tested and agreed with relevant insurance bodies.

 

"Nevertheless we are taking this issue very seriously and our engineering teams are actively working in collaboration with insurance bodies and police forces to solve this continuously evolving problem."

 

The statement added: "This has already resulted in a number of prosecutions."

 

A specific case reported by The Times involved insurers AIG refusing insurance cover to a motorist. In a statement the company said it treated every case individually.

 

"We do not have a blanket policy to exclude certain vehicles from cover.

 

"Given the increasing likelihood that replacement vehicles may be a target for thieves we may ask for additional security measures such as secure off-road parking.

 

By far the most common way of a car being stolen is still from thieves breaking into homes and stealing keysâ€

 

Ian Crowder

AA

"This could be, for example, secure private garaging or the installation of mechanically moveable bollards. If this is not possible then, as a last resort, we may refuse to offer insurance cover but only after exhausting every avenue."

 

Thatcham Research, which collates data on behalf of UK insurers, acknowledged the problem was widespread.

 

"Whilst BMWs and Audis appeared to be the early targets, it's fair to say that this was largely associated with their desirability across Europe, rather than any specific security lapse.

 

"Recently we've seen evidence of a range of makes and models being affected, including the Ford Fiesta and Focus, Range Rover Evoque and also now including light commercial vehicles such as the volume-selling Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter."

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29786320

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This is old news. Been happening for a good number of years now, in particularly with bmw`s like mine. It isnt just the keyless ones, its the ones like mine where the "key" is a plastic keyring thing you slide into the dash.

 

The thieves just buy a new key off ebay, then buy the recoding device online, plug it into your car via the obd socket and recode the new key to your car. Theres even guides on youtube of how to do it etc...

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Is it really that much effort to just put a key in and turn it? They should just go back to normal keys, job done. It's not like it's power steering, ABS or even an automatic choke, it makes no difference to how the cars drives.

 

I agree

 

If you do have it buy a disc lock

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This is old news. Been happening for a good number of years now, in particularly with bmw`s like mine. It isnt just the keyless ones, its the ones like mine where the "key" is a plastic keyring thing you slide into the dash.

 

The thieves just buy a new key off ebay, then buy the recoding device online, plug it into your car via the obd socket and recode the new key to your car. Theres even guides on youtube of how to do it etc...

 

Were you sat in my house last night when the 6 o clock news was on ? :lol:

 

Exactly what I said to my wife. (close on word for word :scare: )

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Chris Knott on here wouldn't change my Zed insurance to the M6 because their underwriter doesn't deal with BMW's :lol: Good job Admiral still have some common sense and the best prices around ;)

 

Still annoys me that I lost 6 months no claims, though, by canceling the policy.

Edited by KyleR
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