More Sophisticated, A Car Thieves Use AirTag To Track Victims' Vehicles!

AirTag, used to search for items. (photo: doc. unsplash)

JAKARTA - Apple AirTags launched to protect and track lost items. But now car thieves are also using it to their advantage. The new trend of stealing luxury cars through Apple AirTags is now gaining momentum. Such incidents appeared first from Canada, but now other regions and states in the US are also reporting similar trends.

How Do Thieves Steal Cars Using Apple AirTags?

According to Jalopnik, a man in Detroit, Michigan, recently bought a new Dodge Charger and while driving out of a shopping center, received a notification on his iPhone that an AirTag was nearby. This is because the car thief has planted an AirTag under the vehicle to look for its whereabouts.

But why do car thieves use high-tech methods to steal cars? Violating vehicles in public places attracts attention. Car thieves find it easier to plant an AirTag in an invisible area of the car such as inside a car bumper, under the car, or in the vehicle's external electrical connection port.

Once the AirTag is planted in the right place, the thief then tracks the car through the AirTag and then steals it from the owner's driveway or private parking lot.

Tips to Stay Safe From AirTag-related Theft

Do you own a luxury car and worry about its safety? The following tips can help:

- Most vehicles tracked by thieves are stolen in driveways, so park in a locked garage if possible.

- Use a steering wheel lock to prevent thieves from stealing your vehicle.

- Put a lock on the data port. This lock prevents access to computer ports so thieves don't get access to reprogram your car keys.

- Purchase security cameras that are strategically placed on your property, and can alert you if there is any suspicious activity.

- Check your car regularly and notify the authorities if you notice any suspicious device or activity.

- You can also use the AirTag in your car to find it if it's stolen. This way you will be able to track your car for some time before the thief gets a notification on their iPhone.

- Learn how to use and operate AirTag so you can quickly respond to potential car theft.

- In addition to these tips, always keep in mind that thieves install AirTags in hidden, hard-to-find locations, such as the rear bumper, where you're very unlikely to hear them make a sound.

Stay Alert for Apple AirTag Alert

If you have an iPhone and a luxury vehicle, stay alert when driving. Pay attention to any notifications on your iPhone immediately, and search around to see if a foreign AirTag is traveling with you.

While there's nothing wrong with driving an attractive car, keeping it safe from thieves is paramount!