The answer: Just put your keyfob in a tin
MODERN cars firms are wasting millions of pounds developing keyless technology for vehicles that high-tech criminals (and novices like me) can crack within moments.
Yet an old metal tin with a lid is all you need to put a stop to the thieves as it blocks the signal from the fob that is picked up by a relay device.
Whether it is a metal container that once contained boiled sweets, or an old syrup or biscuit tin, the thieves will be thwarted – as long as the lid is on tightly or the tin is covered in metal foil.
You can also buy a £10 metal-lined fabric ‘Faraday pouch’ to prevent the signal being picked up by a car thief.
In both cases, the electro-magnetic waves emitted by the fob are blocked by the metal casing or ‘Faraday shield’, named after the English scientist who invented it in 1836. Criminals are also put off by simple steering wheel locks – such as the £ 45 Stoplock. The extra hassle of having to cut through them or pick the traditional key lock will deter many thieves.
Malcolm Tarling of the Association of British Insurers says: ‘Car security has come on in leaps and bounds but struggles to keep pace with the ingenuity of car criminals.
‘No vehicle is totally theft-proof but simple inexpensive steps to block fob signals or a lock on a steering wheel can deter most thieves.’
If you own an expensive vehicle, you can pay for the installation of a tracking service. So, if your car is stolen, its movements are then tracked using global positioning system (GPS) satellite technology.
Such equipment does not come cheap – and it is important to choose tracking devices that meet tough security standards and have insurance accreditation from industry body Thatcham Research.
Among those trackers worth considering is CanTrack Global. Its tracker is one of the most secure – and hard for criminals to disable.
Such equipment can cost around £250 to install and you may need to pay an annual ‘ monitoring’ charge of £ 180.