BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) — New York State Police are warning drivers about another way to steal cars: a new, high-tech method called car hacking.
Officer James O’Callaghan said the recent incident happened at a local dealership in Lockport. “We were able to catch the guy, make an arrest and we did find some of the tools he was using to start the car, it was a kind of diagnostic tool, basically an iPad,” O’Callaghan said, adding that he needs a tech background to be able to do this successfully.
O’Callaghan said the trend is more prevalent in metropolitan areas. “Now it’s starting to spread here and unfortunately the offenders are getting younger and younger,” he said. He said 13- to 15-year-olds are stealing cars every day, and they’re a little more familiar with the technology because they’ve grown up with it.
If you have a push-button car, O’Callaghan recommends putting your key fob in a security bag. “The technology that strengthens the signal is widespread, so all the scanning equipment will be locked and you may be able to unlock or start your car without the key fob,” he says. A key fob can cost around $20, he says.
O’Callaghan said the best way to avoid becoming a victim of car theft is to never leave your keys or anything potentially valuable in your car when it’s parked outside.
