Urgent 'relay hack' warning thieves are using to steal cars in 60 seconds

NewsUrgent 'relay hack' warning thieves are using to steal cars in 60 secondsImportant alert for drivers as thieves employ 'relay hack' technique to steal keyless vehicles in less than 60

secondshuddersfieldexaminerBookmarkShareCommentsNewsByCharlotte SmithSenior Lifestyle Content Editor09:12, 30 MAY 2025Updated09:17, 30 MAY 2025BookmarkPeople who own keyless cars are

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Drivers are being issued an urgent warning to be mindful, as over the past 12 months, between 60 per cent and 70 per cent of cars stolen were keyless models. This comes after a +5000% surge

in increases over the last three months for people searching 'how to stop keyless car theft.'

Under new laws, criminals caught with gadgets—including signal jammers—could face up to five years in prison. The Crime and Policing Bill has banned the possession, sale, and distribution of

electronic devices. Despite this, keyless car theft is still on the rise.

Mike Thompson, COO at Leasing Options, is urgently warning drivers about keyless car entry, what it is, and how drivers can protect themselves. He has also shared three ways to keep your car

safe in general.

He said: "When criminals are trying to steal a keyless car, they use sophisticated technology, which involves manipulating short-range radio waves, to transmit a signal from your key to the

technology in your car. This can be done in a matter of seconds and means criminals can open your car door as normal, allowing them to enter and start the vehicle as normal.

"It is worth noting that sometimes this can fail, if there is no signal or if it is blocked for whatever reason, criminals can find a hard time entering. Depending on the car make and model,

the car might also require a physical key to be inserted into the ignition to start it."

image) How to prevent keyless car theft

Luckily for drivers, there are numerous steps you can take to prevent falling victim to keyless car theft, Mike says.

1. Store your fob safely

"When you are at home, try to store your key away from doors or windows. If you usually store your key in a bowl or on a hook near the front door, consider moving this upstairs to your

bedroom. One of the best ways to store a keyless fob is in a Faraday pouch, a specialised bag designed to block electronic signals. These can typically be found online for less than £10 and

come in a variety of sizes and styles."

2. Turn off wireless signals

"If you rarely use your keyless features, some keys allow you to turn off the wireless technology. Before you do this, however, it might be worth practising without it for a few days to see

if it is something you can truly live without. The keyless feature can also be difficult to reactivate in the future."

3. Consider additional safety features

There are also some typical car safety features that can be used, like a steering wheel lock, tracking device andoutdoor bollards. Mike said: "Investing in a steering wheel lock is a common

method for preventing car theft. They act as a physical deterrent to discourage car theft by making it more difficult to drive the car away. Since it is a visible feature, it is more likely

to deter opportunistic thieves. Steering wheel locks also come in a variety of shapes to fit different types of cars."