Demand for electric cars is growing. More and more Poles are considering buying one, often looking on the second-hand market. And that’s where you need to be careful. Thieves, following the trend, are keen to steal electric cars and then resell them to unsuspecting buyers. If you own an EV, find out how to protect it against theft.
Car thieves don’t act at random
The number of cars stolen in Poland keeps rising, so it’s worth taking care of your vehicle’s security. In 2021, as many as 7,098 vehicles were deregistered because of theft!
It’s usually organised criminal groups that steal selected makes and models of cars. They use all sorts of methods that let them take a car silently, without leaving a trace. There may not even be any signal in the vehicle’s electronic system that a break-in has taken place. When looking for security for your car, it’s worth choosing effective solutions that are also convenient – if a device is a hassle to use every day, you’ll stop using it and your money will have gone down the drain.
The best-known car theft methods
Thieves keep coming up with newer methods that make it easier for them to take a car. Most often, though, they go for a handful of them, which are described below.
Key fob or alarm jammer
Key fob or alarm jammer – this is a method used on modern cars, including electric ones. It involves jamming the signal from the key fob or alarm, which means the car simply isn’t locked, and the thief doesn’t even have to make an effort to get inside.
The “suitcase” theft (relay attack)
The suitcase method – this is the reverse of the method above, and uses two devices. One focuses on intercepting the signal from the keyless entry system, while the other (placed closer to the car) receives that signal and unlocks the car.
The “bottle” theft
The bottle method – this can also be a request for help, a leaflet or some other small thing. The thief plays on the car owner’s emotions, exploiting a stressful situation or a moment of distraction. The aim is to get the driver to leave the keys in the ignition, at which point the thief’s accomplice gets in and drives off in the car.
Wheel theft
Wheel theft – this is the easiest method thieves use. Alloy wheels are always the easiest thing to sell on the market, without the risk involved in stealing the whole car.
The “box” or “Game Boy” method of stealing a car
The box or Game Boy – a theft method based on a module built for a specific car model. It’s plugged into the OBD port or another designated point. The module disarms the immobiliser, and the thief only has to open the door as well.
A duplicate key
A duplicate key – some thieves copy the original car key on the basis of data such as the VIN number.
What is the best anti-theft protection for a car?
Factory-fitted security won’t give you 100% protection against car theft. It’s better to invest in additional solutions. Many drivers still value mechanical locks, which put thieves off. Defeating them involves noise and the need for heavy tools. Unfortunately, this kind of security is also a nuisance for car owners – it’s inconvenient and heavy on top of that, and often stops being used after a while.
A mechanical lock on the on-board diagnostics (OBD) port means the thief won’t be able to connect their equipment to the car’s control unit. Another solution is to fit a dummy OBD port and move the original one to a less obvious place.
Security devices wired into the CAN bus are a more advanced solution that simulates a fault preventing the vehicle from starting until the module is switched off. That can be done wirelessly, via Bluetooth, a smartphone app or a specific combination of buttons inside the car. This kind of protection is very hard for a thief to locate or bypass, and its installation is practically non-invasive.
In hybrid cars, an electronic drive mode selector lock can work brilliantly – it simply makes it impossible to engage a gear.
A GPS tracker, which can be mounted somewhere hard to spot, lets you check the car’s current position in a dedicated smartphone app. With it, you’ll quickly locate where your car is and recover it in no time. On top of that, the notiOne GPS PLUS will inform you when the vehicle moves, let you set up a safe zone and regularly report the position of the protected vehicle. The notiOne GPS PLUS tracker gives you a chance to react and catch the thieves red-handed.
A car alarm – doesn’t protect against theft, but it does deter a thief and even prolongs the theft, which gives bystanders a chance to take an interest in what’s happening around the vehicle.
How much does protecting a car against theft cost?
The price will vary depending on which solution you choose. The notiOne GPS PLUS tracker costs a few hundred zloty, while a CAN bus security device can cost as much as PLN 2,000. Nevertheless, every investment pays off, because above all your car will be protected, and you’ll have more peace of mind.
It’s also worth considering buying full comprehensive (AC) insurance or a mini comprehensive policy. The policy will protect you against theft. The average premium for theft-only comprehensive cover is PLN 50–80.
