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Slew of Burglaries From Vehicles Using New Tech

10889 Views 76 Replies 28 Participants Last post by ezlife45, 11 mo ago

Robo21

Discussion Starter · May 23, 2016

In Los Angeles and elsewhere there has been a rash of burglaries from vehicles utilizing an RF amplifier that will boost your key fob signal, otherwise too weak to open your car, to open your doors and trunk. The little black box amplifies your own secure code so that your car thinks you are standing at the door.

The thief then enters the vehicle takes what he wants and leaves. Most often they are on bicycles to make quick getaways. Numerous instances have been captured on video.

The solution is simple, use a Faraday cage type pouch or container to prevent the signal from reaching the vehicle. The author of the article I will link you to below suggests using your freezer which I don't recommend as that will prematurely age your fob's battery. Aluminum foil does NOT work, some dumbass news reporter here in L.A. (John Gregory) suggested that without even testing it and I can assure you it does not work.

Amazon sells Faraday pouches which are ridiculously expensive but will work. My wife, genius that she is found the perfect solution for us in our kitchen, reasonably priced, incorporating a sort of Faraday technology (the mesh metal screen on top) and it works flawlessly blocking the signal right next to the vehicle. Our solution is a stainless steel sifter with stainless steel screen built into the lid.

The media also recommends a microwave oven as a storage device, I don't like that solution either for obvious reasons.

I found out by accident the other night that the Hellcat FOB has impressive range. From 40 feet way through 2 load bearing walls and one interior wall I unintentionally unlocked the doors. Apparently, these amplifiers the thieves are using are sensitive enough that they can work with signals too weak to open the car by fob alone. The amplifier can take the weak signal and boost it enough to access the car.

I am not taking any chances some of thefts occurred within 5 miles of my home. I strongly suggest that we take this seriously, secure your fob.

I searched the forum didn't find any info so I thought I would share my solution. I know many have heard the story but apparently not enough to prevent the thefts that occurred last week here in L.A. News story video, etc. below photo.

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CNN Story:

Article regarding thefts: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/style/keeping-your-car-safe-from-electronic-thieves.html?_r=0

Fob guard: Fob Guard: Ideal Faraday Cage for Car Keyless Entry Fobs

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21 - 40 of 77 Posts

Robo21

Discussion Starter · #21 · May 23, 2016

Obiefox said:
You all seem to have waaaaaay to much time to worry about this stuff. It is just a car with insurance. They are welcome to steal mine every couple years so I can get a new one....

Step 1 - If I can avoid insurance claims and police reports by putting my fobs in a can when I get home my problem is solved.
Step 2 - Share the info about the threat and the fix with my Hellcat brethren.

Who's worried dude? I am not worried. I solved the problem - it's over - done with. I can put my keys in a can and forget about it. Thanks for your concern over our state of mind but please don't bother. My only purpose was to share info and a solution that is 100% effective. If this doesn't interest you, disregard. It's too bad that you feel the need to be negative and critical.

Often when the car is stolen and thrashed it gets returned to the owner with no obvious damages. No new car. No thanks.

Reactions: 2

Robo21

Discussion Starter · #22 · May 23, 2016

Roostking said:
Just turned off passive entry in my 2011 SRT

While turning off passive entry is a good first step, please keep in mind that it is not just the passive entry that is the problem. Apparently some of the thieves do have a way of activating the unlock button on their amplifier. Just watch the CNN video where the Escalade's unlock button is activated and you can hear the locks clicking before the guy opens the door.

One thing is certain, if the signal is blocked from your fob they have nothing to amplify and they cannot use their device to open the car - period. Please don't use the freezer to block the signal, it will ruin the battery in your fob. A metal container is perfect and no more trouble than dropping your keys into a covered key bowl when you go into your home.

Reactions: 1

Fast Gator

· #23 · May 23, 2016

Passive mode off - spare keys in the gun safe - in use key in a metal key locker!

Reactions: 1

Slowpoke387

· #24 · May 23, 2016

Can u explain the stainless steel aspect a little? Is it the mesh on top or the solid walls of the container? Which one is doing the blocking?

Robo21

Discussion Starter · #25 · May 23, 2016

Fast Gator said:
Passive mode off - spare keys in the gun safe - in use key in a metal key locker!

Way to go!

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Paladin06

· #26 · May 23, 2016

Thanks for info. I saw this on the news and kinda blew it off to tell the truth.

Robo21

Discussion Starter · #27 · May 23, 2016

Slowpoke387 said:
Can u explain the stainless steel aspect a little? Is it the mesh on top or the solid walls of the container? Which one is doing the blocking?

The Faraday technology is a cage or mesh depending on size. That will work by itself. However, we didn't have anything that was 100% mesh so we went with this. In this case it just so happened that when I presented the issue to my wife she pulled the sifter out of the kitchen cabinet and asked me "will this work?" The metallic container blocks the signal and the mesh also blocks the signal. It just happened to be stainless steel. I am thinking that cast iron, aluminum or most any metallic container would work. Test it to be sure. I went out to the car with this setup and with the container next to the car I can't open the door or the trunk.

Paladin06 said:
Thanks for info. I saw this on the news and kinda blew it off to tell the truth.

My pleasure Paladin, you are very welcome. I didn't think it much of a threat when the problem first surfaced 3 years ago. But when it hit so close to home only a few miles away I woke up. Thankfully it's an easy fix.

Reactions: 1

Paladin06

· #28 · May 23, 2016

I presently keep my driving fob in a metal key box in the laundry room. The spare is in a drawer in my office. I'll be moving the spare to the safe later today.

Obiefox

· #29 · May 23, 2016

2

Robo21 said:
Step 1 - If I can avoid insurance claims and police reports by putting my fobs in a can when I get home my problem is solved.
Step 2 - Share the info about the threat and the fix with my Hellcat brethren.

Who's worried dude? I am not worried. I solved the problem - it's over - done with. I can put my keys in a can and forget about it. Thanks for your concern over our state of mind but please don't bother. My only purpose was to share info and a solution that is 100% effective. If this doesn't interest you, disregard. It's too bad that you feel the need to be negative and critical.

Often when the car is stolen and thrashed it gets returned to the owner with no obvious damages. No new car. No thanks.

Consider it throughly disregarded......

I've got more important stuff to protect than my key fob....

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Robo21

Discussion Starter · #30 · May 23, 2016 (Edited)

It's not the fob you're not protecting. Good luck.

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MuscleGarageLA

· #31 · May 23, 2016

Paladin06 said:
Leave CA period. Why stay in that hell hole. Sanctuary citys, out of control crime. SMH..

That's quite funny cause I went to visit some friends in AZ couple of years ago and had to cut short my trip. The insane 125+ heat made me realize what Hell might feel like. I will take my chances with the criminals in the 65F around the year temps..LOL

BULL

· #32 · May 24, 2016

My personal experience (just now...):

One red key in hand, one red key/one black key in safe (like key color matters...)

Passive entry worked as expected...

Lightly wrapped key in hand in single layer of aluminum foil (I call it Tin Foil):

Passive entry did not work, neither did Lock/Unlock buttons...

Note: If I opened the Tin Foil even a little bit, even with the "gap" pointed away from the HC, then both Passive Entry and the Lock/Unlock buttons worked...

Also for reference:

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Reactions: 3

Robo21

Discussion Starter · #33 · May 24, 2016

BULL said:
My personal experience (just now...):
One red key in hand, one red key/one black key in safe (like key color matters...)
Passive entry worked as expected...
Lightly wrapped key in hand in single layer of aluminum foil (I call it Tin Foil):
Passive entry did not work, neither did Lock/Unlock buttons...
Note: If I opened the Tin Foil even a little bit, even with the "gap" pointed away from the HC, then both Passive Entry and the Lock/Unlock buttons worked...

Bull, Nice work! The video you shared is excellent! Good find. Thank you. My test with aluminum foil failed possibly because the foil was wrapped too tightly around the fob. This videographer offered multiple solutions and validated my wife's solution with the conductive canister and mesh lid creating a hybrid Faraday container.

Thanks again!

Reactions: 1

81cj8

· #34 · May 24, 2016

Can anyone explain how the car "knows" if the fob is inside the car or not? The car won't lock if a key fob is in the cabin

fnkychkn

· #35 · May 24, 2016

81cj8 said:
Can anyone explain how the car "knows" if the fob is inside the car or not? The car won't lock if a key fob is in the cabin

Directional antennae.

MattG

· #36 · May 24, 2016

One of the best posts i have read so far.

Thanks for all this info.

Matt

SoCcal Dragger

· #37 · May 24, 2016

There is probably more to it than the key fob and/or either unlocking sequence. In Northern CA, the Camaro community is experiencing a ton of vehicle thefts by thieves who have managed to hack the onstar system. If uconnect is similar, then it's only a matter of time before they use it on us.

Robo21

Discussion Starter · #38 · May 24, 2016

81cj8 said:
Can anyone explain how the car "knows" if the fob is inside the car or not? The car won't lock if a key fob is in the cabin

According to Wikipedia "The smart key determines if it is inside or outside of the vehicle by measuring the strength of the LF (Low Frequency) fields. In order to start the vehicle, the key must be inside the vehicle."

To read the complete explanation of the system and how it works visit Wikipedia: Remote keyless system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

MattG said:
One of the best posts i have read so far.

Thanks for all this info.

Matt

Thank you for posting. It's nice to see positive responses!

fnkychkn

· #39 · May 24, 2016

Robo21 said:
According to Wikipedia "The smart key determines if it is inside or outside of the vehicle by measuring the strength of the LF (Low Frequency) fields. In order to start the vehicle, the key must be inside the vehicle."[/QUOTE]
Not sure which vehicle they're referring to but in chrysler vehicles, the FOBIK does not determine location. The RFH (radio frequency hub) determines FOBIK location using signals from directional antennae.

Markp

· #40 · May 24, 2016 (Edited)

This technology was developed because humans are to lazy to put a key in a lock and turning it was too much trouble.

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