US citizens need to be aware car thieves are using GPS tracking devices like Apple AirTags to steal vehicles, an anti-theft advocate said.
According to the report from CCJ, car theft increased by 29% in 2023 compared with the previous year in nearly 40 American cities. The five cities with the highest year-over-year increases in auto theft between 2022 and 2023 were Rochester, New York, Baltimore, Buffalo, New York, Charlotte, North Carolina and Cincinnati.
Authorities have warned vehicle owners in the US to check for a hidden AirTags after travelling to Canada. There were multiple cases of people in the northeast US finding hidden Airtags on their cars after travelling to Canada.
LA police department previously informed media outlets that iPhone users would receive notifications if an AirTag is nearby, while Android users can utilize an app called Tracker Detect for the same purpose. Tracker Detect aids in locating the device by emitting a sound to facilitate its retrieval.
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A prior media release also suggested that “outfitting your vehicle with your own AirTag could aid law enforcement in locating your vehicle if it were ever stolen.”
What else you can do to prevent car theft
Here are a few tips you can implement if you’re concerned about having your car stolen:
- Park in a well-lit area that can easily be seen from several vantage points
- Never leave your keys in the car, even if you’re only out of the vehicle for less than a minute
- Observe your surroundings before you exit the vehicle
- Ensure all doors and windows are locked and shut before leaving your vehicle
- Consider installing state-law-compliant window tint to prevent thieves from viewing the interior of your vehicle
- Stay up to date on car theft tactics and techniques
- Take advantage of parking lot security cameras by parking beneath or near their scope of view
- Use a steering wheel lock when the car is parked
- Stow any valuables out of plain sight (or leave them at home)
- Store your vehicle in a locked garage