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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How did they get into my car?

182 replies

Elephantina · 04/01/2019 00:26

For the first time in 15 years of travelling all around the country for work, I had my new bag and some other items stolen from my car at a motorway services today.

It was a small services, fairly busy, and I parked the car within 50 yards of the entrance in full view of the main thoroughfare. I was going to be minutes - quick dash for a sandwich, I wasn't queuing for coffee or using the loo. I grabbed my purse and phone, figured my bag would be fine on the passenger seat (I know, I know, but I don't have a parcel shelf so it would still have been visible in the boot anyway). I locked the car with the remote key as I walked away - but I didn't look back to double check, it was just habit.

When I returned after about 8 minutes, my bag and a few other bits were gone, and my car was unlocked. No damage to anything, just my stuff gone.

The police told me that they watch you and use a jammer or a blocker to block the signal from your remote, so you think you've locked it but you haven't. But I've googled this and can only find info on how they target keyless systems for vehicle theft, I can't find anything about them managing to stop you locking it in the first place.

Is this a thing? Did I even lock the car at all? I keep going over and over it. Nothing I can do about it obviously, bit gutted about my lovely new work bag which was on its first outing. Sad

OP posts:
JustABetterPlayer · 04/01/2019 00:27

No it jams the signal, so you didn’t actually lick the car.

JustABetterPlayer · 04/01/2019 00:28

Lock^ Grin. I suppose you could lick it, depends how dirty it is!

Jamiefraserskilt · 04/01/2019 00:29

Yup, this is a thing.
Bastards

Elephantina · 04/01/2019 00:31

Really? So they watch for you to use your remote key and block the signal? Wow.

It's not keyless, just a normal remote key for a 2016 VW. I'm amazed. They can do whatever they bloody want can't they.

OP posts:
SerialChangerOfName · 04/01/2019 00:32

Sorry about your bag.

There's another thing they can do which is come by your house and pick up the signal your key gob is emitting, hack into it, and unlock the car. Or something. So I've got this little shield pouch thing my key sits in inside the house, so they can't do it!

Elephantina · 04/01/2019 00:32

It was quite lickably clean, actually Grin

Those bloody fuckers. It was my important meeting with the CEO and I was all flustered, the bastards.

OP posts:
brizzledrizzle · 04/01/2019 00:33

I wonder if it still jams the signal if you see the lights flash?
Sorry op.

arranbubonicplague · 04/01/2019 00:34

There's a variation on this where people use transmitters and amplifiers to boost the signal from keys in your house to enable them to steal a car from a driveway:

One criminal then stands by the car with the transmitter, while a second waves the amplifier near the house the car is parked outside.

If the car’s fob is close enough, the amplifier will detect its signal - through doors, walls and windows - amplify it, and send it to the accomplice’s transmitter.

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/keyless-car-relay-theft-advice-14496158

Elephantina · 04/01/2019 00:37

Something weird happened as I was backing into the space, in that the parking sensors went mad but I was nowhere near anything. I stopped and checked all around, there was nothing there but the sensors were blaring. There was a large ish black van beside me parked across 2 bays, they had started to leave but when I pulled up they waited. Hmm.

OP posts:
arranbubonicplague · 04/01/2019 00:37

Car key jammers (like in OP's account):

The transmitters, which are easy to buy online, can be used to interrupt signals from keys fobs, meaning unwary motorists believe their cars to be secure when they're anything but.
This leaves the path clear for thieves to help themselves to your belongings, and even take the car itself.
Relatively low-powered jammers can have a range of about 75m, meaning fairly large areas, such as a whole car park, can be affected at the same time.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-38225274

Elephantina · 04/01/2019 00:43

Dunno Bizzle - I didn't bother to check. It's been a big wake up call, that's for sure. I stopped again on my way home, and this time locked the car, checked that the lights flashed, checked the doors were actually locked, AND took all my stuff with me and waited a few metres away for a minute or so before walking into the building!

I'm so ignorant, I never thought it would happen to me.

OP posts:
Elephantina · 04/01/2019 00:46

Blimey Arran thank you, I couldn't find that when I googled before.

So the only guarantee is to check and double check that the doors are actually locked before you leave it. Once they are definitively locked they can't be unlocked - can they?! It just blocks the signal.

OP posts:
SingingSands · 04/01/2019 00:50

I'm so sorry this happened to you, it's really shit! We've had similar happening in our area.

It infuriates me. Some family cars can cost upwards of £30k and be fitted with all sorts of amazing tech, yet the manufacturers can't or won't fit trackers as standard or come up with something to prevent keyless hacks. If criminals can order the components off eBay then why can't BMW or AUDI sort it out?

Elephantina · 04/01/2019 00:50

Ok I've read the full article now. I'm not going to claim on my insurance as my actual belongings were only worth about £100 - but my employer lost about £500 worth of kit, to my eternal shame. They have been so kind about it today - I've given them the crime number but I guess they won't be able to claim. Shit almighty.

OP posts:
Elephantina · 04/01/2019 00:52

I know Sands, it's maddening. Well...I'll know better now!

In all these years I'd probably got a bit complacent, this has been a real eye opener. I need to invest in a new parcel shelf (that DH lost)!

OP posts:
GinIsIn · 04/01/2019 00:57

Keyless just means you don’t put the key into the lock to lock it - I you have a fob with a remote button that is a keyless locking system.

ThanksItHasPockets · 04/01/2019 01:06

No, that’s remote-controlled central locking. ‘Keyless’ means that you don’t have to insert a key into the ignition to start the car.

LavaLampLover · 04/01/2019 01:09

Shitting fuck. I'm sorry you experienced that. And I'll not take the piss when my OH does his checks after locking, now.

whatwillbewillbe03 · 04/01/2019 01:17

Same happened to me.. they took my trainers, brand new expensive sports bra, couple of winning (few pound) scratch cards, and £400 i just got back after lending it to someone and not wanting to take it out with me in just my coat pocket in case it dropped out whilst shopping (didnt have a purse) bastards got lucky that day!!

I now never leave anything inside it.

Elephantina · 04/01/2019 01:24

Oh no, that's bad. I was fortunate that I had my phone and purse in my hand, and that I'd only decanted a few things from my old bag into the new - if I had, I'd have also lost the office keys and a £1000 pen! Thank fuck I decided not to take it.

Police asked me to give security at the services the crime number, and the time frame so they can prepare the cctv for them. I can't believe the police would bother reviewing that would they - although they were unsurprised, they didn't mention having multiple reports in that location? Bit pointless, unless it's a known gang.

OP posts:
MadisonAvenue · 04/01/2019 01:34

Sorry this has happened to you OP. They’re absolute bastards.

A family member had their brand new car stolen six months ago, they’d only collected it a couple of days before and the theft was actually caught on their CCTV; basically the thief just walked along, opened the car door and drove away. As quick and easy as that, and the car still hasn’t been recovered.

ILoveChristmasLights · 04/01/2019 01:49

A £1000 PEN. PEN?

Jesus wept, I LOVE stationery, I’m quite obsessive about paper & pens...but £1000 😳. I NEED to know more about this pen all pens!

Sorry that the thieving bastards picked on your car. Scummy shitty oinks.

The police should view it, it won’t take take long as you know the time you were away and it wasn’t for long. They should be able to track them down from their reg.

Thieving little twats.

Aquamarine1029 · 04/01/2019 01:56

I'm so sorry this happened to you. I've experienced similar and it really knocks your faith in humanity. Fucking worthless bastard crooks.

ScarlettSahara · 04/01/2019 02:09

Sorry this happened to you. My Dad’s house was burgled. It feels really horrible & unnerving to have someone break into your personal space & rifle through your belongings.
We keep our remote control keys in a tin at home because of this. I do double check when I lock the car but think I might buy a pouch too.

endofthelinefinally · 04/01/2019 02:15

We came down one morning to find all 3 cars ( had family visiting) had been opened and rummaged through.
Since then we keep car keys in a tin box and double check all doors after locking.
It is just getting ridiculous now.
On a separate note, we should be keeping our credit cards wrapped in tin foil or in a metal lined wallet as similar devices can be used to clone them.