Vehicles fitted with a smart or passive key (a contactless key) are susceptible to a type of theft called “Relay Theft”.
There are a wide range of electronic devices, key cloning devices and other tools that can be easily obtained by opportunist thieves and criminal gangs to target your vehicle.
The criminals normally work in pairs, targeting vulnerable and desirable makes of vehicles by using cloning devices that have the ability to grab the signal from the smart key so that it appears to the car or van that the key is present.
The whole process can take as little as 60 seconds and for safety reasons, the engine won’t cut out when the key is out of range.
Your vehicle is most vulnerable overnight, particularly if parked on your driveway or directly outside your home where most of these thefts occur.
Manufacturers and industry bodies have been working to combat Relay Theft for many years – if you are purchasing a new car please speak to your car dealer.
