Thieves Now Targeting Keyless Entry Cars in Kalamazoo

I think it might just be my perception, but I feel like there's always an increase in crime around the holidays. People may feel desperate, there might be more opportunity, and so on. And 2020 is no different. Especially with car theft.

According to WSBT 22, Kalamazoo police have reported 200 vehicle break-ins and 148 car thefts since September. Nearby police departments have noticed the same thing. Particularly for keyless cars.

As reported by WSBT 22, police say that there's a new device that thieves are using that can actually hack into a key fob's signal which they, in turn, use to unlock a car and start it. One poor, local soul, Shawnteel Blodgett in Portage had her car stolen not once, but three different times. She says her car was empty of all possessions, thank goodness, but that it was also locked. She said,

I’ve never had anything like this happen before. At first, I was even second guessing myself, and I look out there and my car is gone

At this moment, police haven't released any official way to deter these criminals that can now hack into your key fob's signal. But, you can follow the advice of Blodgett. She installed a lock that goes around the steering wheel and brake pedal as well. You can also install cameras inside your car and take advantage of outdoor surveillance if it's available.

As if we didn't have enough to worry about in 2020. Does this mean a surge of manual cars with manual locks will be in demand? I'm not sure. I do know that I've been driving a car with a key fob for so long that locking each individual door would be a hard habit to relearn.

For now, be cautious. Make sure your possessions are not left inside your car and continue to lock it. Maybe keep it in an area with high visibility.

Or you can do what I do and keep your car so messy that no one will want to steal it. That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it.