Keyless drivers urged to buy hi-tech wallets to stop thefts

GARDAÍ are advising owners of keyless cars to consider buying a Faraday wallet which can stop thieves from being able to start and steal their vehicle.

The ‘keyless’ thefts are known as relay attacks, as the criminals use a device to intercept the signal emitting from the key fob to the car, and then relay it back to the target car.

Garda Sergeant Ronan Farrelly, from Navan, Co. Meath said: ‘A simple way to prevent these thefts is to invest in what are known as Faraday wallets, which are small bags into which you put your car key.

‘The bag prevents any signal getting out. These are relatively inexpensive items to purchase.

‘We would also advise people to use other forms of traditional security methods where possible, such as locking gates, where fitted, and having PIR lighting around their home.

‘Tracking devices fitted to vehicles will also assist locating stolen cars.’

Dave Kinahan, of Auto Tech Solutions in Co. Louth, says new tracker technology allows you to disable your car – even if it is stolen.

‘There is an app which can be installed on your smartphone, or it can be accessed online, and you use it to send a command to disable the vehicle when it next stops.

‘The same technology means you can put a geo-fence for, say, 50m around your house and if your car is moved outside of this, you get a text alert.’