Top 5 Ways Car Thieves Steal Vehicles in 2025 (and How Police-Connected GPS Stops Them)

Car theft isn’t about breaking windows anymore, it’s high-tech, fast, and professional. In 2025, thieves are using sophisticated tools to steal cars in minutes, sometimes without making a sound. Here are the top 5 methods they use, and how police-connected GPS technology changes the outcome.

1. OBD-II Port Hacking

Thieves plug directly into your car’s OBD-II port to reprogram a blank key fob. In under two minutes, they can start the engine and drive away.

How Police-Connected GPS Stops It: Even if they drive off, your vehicle’s exact location is sent directly to law enforcement, meaning recovery starts instantly.

2. Relay Attacks

With two devices, thieves “capture” your key fob’s signal from inside your house and relay it to your car in the driveway. Your car thinks the key is present and unlocks.

The GPS Advantage: Real-time tracking means police know exactly where the car is headed, no hours wasted before the search begins.

3. Key Reprogramming

In some cases, thieves use cloned keys or software to overwrite your car’s existing key codes.

The GPS Advantage: The moment you report the theft through the app, officers get live location data. No waiting. No guessing.

4. CAN Bus Attacks

By accessing your car’s wiring through the headlights or bumper, thieves can send unlock/start commands to the vehicle.

The GPS Advantage: Even with advanced methods, location tracking bypasses their head start.

5. VIN Cloning & Paperwork Theft

Some criminals steal cars for resale, changing the VIN to appear legitimate.

The GPS Advantage: VIN changes don’t fool GPS, your car is still traceable and recoverable.

Bottom Line:

In 2025, speed is everything, both for thieves and for recovery. With police-connected GPS tracking like LoJack, your stolen car is on law enforcement’s radar within seconds, slashing recovery times to an average of just 26 minutes.