How Vehicle Thieves Really Work: Tools and Techniques You Should Know

Modern car thieves are smarter than ever, using advanced tools to steal vehicles in just minutes. In the United States alone, more than 1 million vehicles are stolen every year (National Insurance Crime Bureau), leaving owners with stress, costs, and disruption. Understanding how thieves operate can help you protect your investment and avoid becoming another statistic.

Below, see the most common vehicle theft techniques used today and how to guard against them.

Keyless Relay Attacks

Thieves use signal-boosting devices to intercept and amplify your key fob’s signal, tricking your car into unlocking and starting. This method is common in urban areas of Florida, Arizona, and Illinois, where keyless entry vehicles are widespread.

How to protect yourself:

• Store your keys in a signal-blocking pouch
• Never leave key fobs near doors or windows

VIN Swapping

By replacing or tampering with the Vehicle Identification Number, criminals make a stolen car look legitimate. These vehicles are often resold in states with high demand for used cars, such as California, Texas, and New York.

How to protect yourself:

• Always check that the VIN matches official paperwork
• Inspect VIN locations physically, not just on documents

Cloned Keys

Some criminals clone your key by copying its electronic code, gaining full access to your vehicle. This happens often in large metro areas like Chicago, Phoenix, and Miami, where newer vehicles are common.

How to protect yourself:

• Be wary of sharing key programming information
• Service your car with reputable professionals only

OBD Port Attacks

Thieves can access your car’s Onboard Diagnostic port to program new keys or disable security features. This tactic has been rising in states with large car fleets, like Pennsylvania and Ohio.

How to protect yourself:

• Use OBD port locks
• Park in secure areas whenever possible

How LoJack and VG Motors Can Help

Unlike simple GPS tags, LoJack systems installed by VG Motors integrate with law enforcement, offering real-time tracking and rapid recovery.
Even if a thief uses advanced hacking tools, LoJack dramatically improves your chances of recovering your vehicle before it disappears permanently.

No matter where you live, adding LoJack can make a huge difference in protecting your car, truck, or SUV.

Book your LoJack installation with VG Motors now and drive with peace of mind.