Anyone can buy tools to hack our cars admits BMW
Fury of victims left vulnerable to keyless crime
‘Not being transparent’
ONE of the world’s biggest motor manufacturers has admitted keyless cars can be hacked into by criminals using tools that anyone can buy.
BMW has told a customer whose car was stolen from his drive that key fob cloning gadgets which can override its security systems are available for sale on the ‘open market’.
In private emails seen by the Mail, the German car giant said this poses a ‘unique challenge’ for the entire industry, and indicated manufacturers are struggling to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated car thieves.
Although it stressed its cars are designed with the ‘highest security standards’, it said it has ‘no control’ over the fact ‘thieves are always looking for new ways to steal cars.’
With some police blaming keyless cars for fuelling a car crime ‘epidemic’, BMW insisted it is impossible to warn customers about the ‘many ways a car can be stolen’.
The comments – made in private emails to a customer whose £55,000 BMW was stolen – appear at odds with the industry’s public claims that cars are more secure than ever.
Last night, a Tory member of the Commons transport committee said manufacturers should address any security failings with keyless cars as ‘a matter of urgency’, and should be warning drivers of the risks.
Thieves are able to buy key programming devices on websites such as Amazon and Ebay which allow them to clone key fobs. Other devices known as relay boxes extend the signal from a fob inside the owner’s home to unlock the car and start it. A number of cases have emerged of upmarket keyless cars such as Range Rovers, Mercedes and BMWs being hacked into in this way. But police have said affordable cars such as Ford Fiestas are now being targeted more frequently.
Emails sent by BMW’s UK headquarters show it is acutely aware of the problem but believes there is little it can do.
Simon Burnett complained to the company on February 18, after waking up to find his BMW 435 diesel had been stolen from his drive. His key fob was on his bedside table. He reported the crime to police and was told he was unlikely to see the car again.
Mr Burnett, 33, used a BMW phone app to try to locate the car and received a message that the vehicle’s tracking system had been deactivated.
The IT consultant, from Surrey, contacted BMW demanding compensation. He had paid around £500 extra for ‘comfort access’ on his car, which means drivers can open the door by walking up to it with the key fob in their pocket.
In an email on March 15, Laura Bebbington, of BMW UK customer services, said: ‘We and other car makers face a unique challenge due to the fact key-programming equipment is available for sale on the open market.’ She said the ‘sophisticated equipment’ was ‘not available publicly’ previously.
In an earlier email on March 1, she said: ‘Our engineers are constantly developing our security systems to ensure they’re kept to the highest standard. Thieves are always looking for new ways to steal cars, this isn’t something we have control over.’ When Mr Burnett suggested manufacturers warn customers about the potential risk, Miss Bebbington said: ‘There are many ways a car can be stolen. We’re unable to make customers aware of each single way this can be done.’
Michael Stephens, a BMW customer services consultant, told Mr Burnett in an email ‘ criminal activity of all kinds is becoming increasingly sophisticated’ and tackling it was ‘a constant battle’. Mr Burnett accused BMW of ‘not being transparent’.
Steve Double MP said: ‘If [car makers] are aware of any vulnerabilities they need to address them as a matter of urgency … if they can’t show it is secure then they should put it on hold until they can provide a more secure system.’
West Midlands crime commissioner David Jamieson said: ‘Car manufacturers are sacrificing security for the sake of convenience.’ A BMW spokesman said: ‘BMW’s specialist security teams work constantly to design and enhance the best possible vehicle security systems. We also work in partnership with police and other authorities in responding to the latest threats and anticipating new ones.’
Mike Hawes, of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: ‘ New cars are more secure than ever and the latest technology has helped bring down theft.’