How Does Keyless Car Theft Work?
Most keyless theft today is carried out using a relay attack. Here’s how it works:
- Two thieves work together, typically at night, outside your home.
- One stands near your front door or window, holding a relay amplifier that captures the signal from your key fob inside the house.
- The second thief stands near your car with a relay transmitter that broadcasts that signal to the vehicle.
- The car believes your key is present, unlocks, and allows the engine to start.
- The whole process takes around 60 seconds.
Because the attack uses the genuine signal from your actual key, the vehicle’s factory immobiliser sees no reason to prevent it. The car is driven away without a trace.
Does a Faraday Pouch Actually Work?
Faraday pouches (signal-blocking wallets designed to contain your key fob’s radio frequency) can be effective, but only if used consistently. The moment your keys leave the pouch, the protection is gone.
They are also becoming less reliable as some modern key fobs use ultra-wideband (UWB) signals that are harder to block with cheaper pouches. If you use a Faraday pouch, ensure it is tested and certified for your specific key type.
What About Steering Wheel Locks?
Steering wheel locks provide a visible, physical deterrent. A thief who spots one is more likely to move on to an easier target. However, they do not prevent the vehicle from being started. A determined thief with time and the right tools can defeat most steering wheel locks. A high quality steering wheel lock will add time and inconvenience to any theft attempt.
They are best used as part of a layered approach rather than as a standalone solution.
What About Tracking Devices?
GPS trackers are an excellent recovery tool, they can help police locate and retrieve a stolen vehicle. However, they do not prevent theft. A professional thief will either drive the vehicle into a signal-blocking container immediately or take it to a location where the device can be found and removed.
Trackers answer the question “where is my car?” — not “why hasn’t it been taken?”
The Most Effective Solution: A Ghost Immobiliser
A Ghost immobiliser tackles keyless theft at the source. Because the system requires a PIN sequence to be entered using the car’s own buttons before the vehicle can be driven, it cannot be bypassed by relay attack. The thief may get the engine to turn on, but the car will not be able to be driven away.
Key reasons the Ghost is uniquely effective against keyless theft:
- No RF signal: there is nothing to relay, clone, or jam.
- PIN is required in addition to the key: possession of the key (real or relayed) is not enough.
- Completely hidden: there is no visible component for a thief to identify or disable.
- Works even if the OBD port is accessed: the immobilisation is not dependent on a single point of failure.
Read more: What is a Ghost Immobiliser and How Does It Work?
A Layered Approach to Vehicle Security
No single measure offers complete protection, and the best approach combines several methods:
- Faraday pouch — store keys away from doors and windows at night.
- Steering wheel lock — adds a visible deterrent.
- Ghost immobiliser — prevents the vehicle from being driven even if started.
- GPS tracker — aids recovery if the vehicle is taken.
Of these, the Ghost immobiliser is the only solution that directly prevents the vehicle from leaving. The others reduce the likelihood of an attempt or aid in aftermath — the Ghost stops the theft itself.
Read more: Are Car Immobilisers Worth It? An Honest Answer
What Vehicles Are at Highest Risk?
Vehicles most targeted for relay theft include high-value SUVs and executive cars from brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Audi, and Toyota, particularly any model with keyless entry as standard or optional.
However, keyless theft is not exclusive to prestige vehicles. Any car with a keyless entry system is a potential target. As the technology becomes more common across all market segments, so does the threat.
Protect your vehicle before it becomes a statistic. Find out more about the Autowatch Ghost immobiliser or contact us to locate an approved installer near you.