Car thieves' most cunning tricks and how to thwart them

When we're looking forward to a break and planning a getaway for the long May weekend, thieves see a golden opportunity to strike. Caught up in the holiday spirit, we're often not as alert as usual, making our vehicles more vulnerable.

Significantly, thieves don’t just target cars – bags, wallets, or phones left inside are also at risk. It only takes a moment for them to distract us. Their methods of theft vary. What are the most common tricks used by thieves?

Among known techniques, one particularly stands out in the theft of modern cars equipped with keyless entry systems. Thieves typically work in pairs for this. Exploiting the fact that car keys often rest near the front door of a house, one thief gets close with a device resembling a small suitcase that captures the key's signal. This could happen right outside the window of the restaurant we're dining in or in a shopping centre, where the thief lurks behind us with the device.

His partner waits by the car with a receiver that sends the signal to the car, and it “thinks” the owner with the key is trying to get in, so it unlocks. The suitcase method allows them to unlock and start and drive the car away, usually in under a minute. Often, the owner doesn’t notice a thing.

To protect against this risk, it’s wise to use special cases that block the signal, keep the keys away from doors, or even wrap them in aluminium foil. We have personally tested and recommended this method. Always be cautious of people who approach us excessively, carrying a suitcase or bag.

Another strategy involves thieves placing a sharp object under a tyre to puncture it upon departure. Focused on the problem, we may fail to realise we're being robbed when we step out to see what's happened. Documents, money, and other valuables left in the car can vanish. Similarly, thieves use the guise of offering help with changing a tyre—one distracts with assistance while the other empties the car.

The strategy of inserting a rustling object in the wheel arch is also prevalent. This can be a plastic bottle, foil, or any material that makes noise. Strange noises prompt us to inspect the issue. Regrettably, we often leave the car running, creating an ideal opportunity for the thief. They can steal everything inside and even drive the car away.

Placing a note under the windshield wiper is another effective trick. Thieves usually select cars parked in a way that, upon returning from errands, we don't immediately inspect all windows. Then, they place a note on the windshield of our car. The note will likely be on the back windshield if we're reversing. When we notice it and exit the car to check, leaving it running with all belongings inside, we stand to lose much, just like with the bottle method.

In this scenario, thieves primarily exploit our empathy. They bet on our willingness to help when we spot a child's stroller on the road. Meanwhile, the fraudsters seize the opportunity to rob us.

Of course, these aren’t all the methods car thieves use. There are many more, but we’ve listed only the most prevalent ones. It's crucial to remember these to avoid being duped. We also urge vigilance towards all suspicious individuals lurking around us and our vehicles.