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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:
looondonn · 05/01/2019 20:34

so sorry !!!

what a lesson for many of us

i had no idea this was possible

arranbubonicplague · 05/01/2019 20:40

Was it a Mont Blanc?

Give yourself a treat and read upthread for the charming back story of the Mont Blanc pen.

It's at

Elephantina Fri 04-Jan-19 10:40:56

Shinka · 05/01/2019 20:56

Glad it has been useful and yes, everyone has been very sympathetic which is a relief. Every now and then someone drops in a comment about gross misconduct and getting fired but I am hopeful that my employers are not quite that unreasonable. I didn't leave it visible overnight, I didn't lose it on a night out - I walked away from a (believed to be locked) vehicle in broad daylight in a busy area for 7 minutes. I can replace my parcel shelf, to better protect what I leave in the boot, at a cost of £280 - it got lost a couple of years ago when my lovely mont blanc buying DH left it leaning up against a bridge somewhere outside Harrow...

I've already dealt with IT and HR and both were more concerned that I was alright and that I had replacement equipment quickly to continue with my job. I asked HR if I could get a bollocking based on the policy and they said, meh, we'll warn you if it's coming but try not to worry. I have a feeling that will filter down from Operations - I might get a stern letter and the whole group will get a reminder, maybe they'll update the policies as a result.

But I didn't know about these jammers at all, so it's been an education. My replacement bag arrived today (it was so brand new I just re-ordered the same one) and I've replaced my lost lop balm, lipstick and lip liner!

I am now somewhat paranoid though. DH rolled his eyes when I insisted on trying the doors before walking away from it, and where I would usually stuff my bag under the seat if I didn't need it, I've started gathering all my belongings before leaving the car regardless.

I'm going to research how parking sensors work and how they could be affected by the jammer technology. I didn't mention that to the police because it didn't seem relevant, but they'll call me for more details anyway. Allegedly.

Shinka · 05/01/2019 20:58

Oh crap name change fail, forgot I'd done that. Sorry I'm the OP, I'll change it back again!

Elephantina · 05/01/2019 21:01

Sorry all, I name changed to post something else and never got round to it, then forgot to change back. I am Shinka above!

OP posts:
combatbarbie · 05/01/2019 21:14

The jammer thing is rife round here! They don't steal the cars just take mostly change from the ashtray it appears

I now always deadlock my car, the horn beeps to let me know it's actually locked.

LoniceraJaponica · 05/01/2019 21:16

What do you mean by deadlock?

NotBeforeCoffee · 05/01/2019 21:16

£1000 pen?!!

EffOrf · 05/01/2019 21:21

I always check the indicators flash or do they still flash when it is being jammed

Is deadlock when you press the locking bit twice on the key?

Elephantina · 05/01/2019 21:23

Eesh not the pen again.

OP posts:
MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 05/01/2019 21:38

I always double lock mine so the door deadlocks are activated and the alarm. And I check that my wing mirrors have folded in. I’d be useless with keyless entry, I’d be paranoid that it hadn’t locked.

My poor DMil year’s ago popped home, we were all there and the driveway was full so she left her car on the lane. It was a very quiet country lane that only really went round a few farmhouses and a footpath that led into the village. She went back out to her car about ten minutes later and her window was smashed and her handbag was gone. She was really upset. We trawled the lane and found the bag chucked through a hedge and stuff scattered about. They’d taken some cash out of her purse but had missed an envelope that had about £100 stuff in it, the twats, luckily for her. Wish we’d found the entitled, thieving little shits. My Fil would have put them on their arses.

ReflectentMonatomism · 05/01/2019 21:43

Is deadlock when you press the locking bit twice on the key?

Be careful. On some cars it is the other way around; they deadlock on the first press and then lock normally on the second.

(Deadlocked means that the interior lock switches/buttons are disabled and the car can only be unlocked from the outside with a key or remote. It means that someone cannot break a window, reach n and unlock the doors.).

arranbubonicplague · 05/01/2019 21:51

Be careful. On some cars it is the other way around; they deadlock on the first press and then lock normally on the second.

I have visions of everyone digging the car manual out of its cosy nest in the glove box...

combatbarbie · 05/01/2019 21:56

My fob has normal lock/unlock, boot open/close and deadlock buttons. But yes it's usually double locking the car, best check manual though x

chubley · 05/01/2019 22:32

Keys can be reprogrammed eg so that only the driver's door is unlocked, if you have no passengers. Also with my car one click opens remotely only the driver's door, you have to double click to unlock all the doors remotely. That feels safer when alone. The point of mentioning this is that people can do this following instructions online or ask the dealer to.

purplebunny2012 · 05/01/2019 22:41

I can confirm that Skoda is one click to deadlock

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 05/01/2019 22:52

Yes my Landrover is one click to deadlock and two to set the alarm. It means I can leave the dog or the kids in the car without setting the alarm. Most alarms are triggered by ultrasonic motion sensors, or they used to be, and any movement would set the alarm off hence giving you the choice about setting it or not.

LoniceraJaponica · 05/01/2019 23:33

"I have visions of everyone digging the car manual out of its cosy nest in the glove box."

I have just googled my car. It is 2 clicks to deadlock it.

Canteverthinkofagoodone · 05/01/2019 23:43

Glad you haven't had any repercussions from work & have managed to replace all your bits. The same thing happened to me last March & it made me so paranoid as it was on our driveway at home. Me & my older son were certain the car locked as we went in, came out a few hours later to grab something to all of my doors & boot open. The rats had riffled through everything & had stolen my 6year olds school coat & book bag (which upset me the most) aswell as half used makeup, my coat headphones chargers etc etc. I was rather pleased when I realised they had stolen my ray bans case though, as they were in the house (wink) Police confirmed there had been a spate of these offences locally & thought they were jamming the signals.

theoldtrout01876 · 06/01/2019 00:51

A guy I used to work beside parked his jacked up fancy boy racer muscle car in the supermarket parking lot while he ran in for bread and milk. Came out to find his car up on blocks and all 4 of his fancy wheels had been stolen. Broad day light in a busy parking lot and he was only in there for 10 - 15 mins.
Never heard the like and wouldnt have believed it if I didnt know him personally

Sashkin · 06/01/2019 01:10

Peugeots can be opened by slipping a coat hanger down the gap between the roof and the door and lifting the latch. Or just peeling back the top of the door with a crowbar (which is a right fucker because even when you have it fixed the door seal is never the same).

My old car was broken into pretty much every six months. Police said they did over the whole street in the same night, so obviously knew what they were doing. The most they ever got was a £2 tyre pressure gauge thingy and an old toothbrush, but the cost of repairing all the damage was probably a couple of grand over the years.

Kiwiabel · 06/01/2019 02:26

This happened outside our house last week. Someone unlocked the car and rummaged through the car two nights in a row. We don't leave any valuables in the car (they took the sunglasses) but nothing else to take really. Hubby also ordered the pouch so that the signal can no longer be picked up. Can't believe it happened outside the house! Sorry about your bag. It's so annoying when people do this.

Cafeaulait27 · 06/01/2019 05:37

I always take my bag with me, I don’t want someone smashing the window thinking valuables are in there.

A friend once left her purse on the kitchen table overnight and was broken into just for that. Opportunistic thieves just look through the window to see if anything looks like it contains cash

EffOrf · 06/01/2019 05:56

Checked and deadlock on Ford Fiesta is press twice, it doesn't have an alarm. I never leave anything much in my car anyway just half a dozen CDs and a boot full of various empty shopping bags.

PoisonousSmurf · 06/01/2019 12:15

Once I managed to deadlock my Mazda 3 with my DD1 inside. The alarm went off and she couldn't open the doors from inside.
Got her out pretty sharpish, but it was a good test Grin

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