Today, cars are equipped with electronic security features-including immobilizers, rolling codes, keyless entry, and encrypted smart-keys-to make stealing a new vehicle more difficult. Even so, the recent federal criminal cases reveal that thieves don’t necessarily need the latest technology to take higher-end vehicles. From 2021 to 2023, a multi-state theft group reportedly stole more than 100 new, high-value vehicles worth millions of dollars from dealerships. The suspects allegedly gained access to cars by disguising themselves as customers, performing test drives or inspections, and swapping the regular smart key for a convincing counterfeit, allowing them to later steal the car with the original immobilizer still active. The fraud ring involved vehicles made by Bentley, BMW, Cadillac, Land Rover, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz.

Contemporary smart car models are vulnerable to a number of types of theft. For instance, they may be susceptible to relay attacks which take advantage of a computer being able to communicate with a specific key card. Other ways of stealing vehicles involve hacking into the vehicle’s computer or accessing the car via its diagnostic port. Having a number of different preventative measures can make a vehicle harder for a thief to steal as no one method is infallible. By carefully storing smart keys, considering available security features, protecting diagnostic ports, and investing in physical security devices can reduce the chances of having a vehicle stolen. Buyers should also check the vehicle history and identity of used vehicles.

1. How the Fob-Swap Theft Works

In this instance of dealership theft, the vulnerability in the car was surprisingly low-tech: perhaps the thief doesn’t need to beat the vehicle at all. Federal court records show a Charlotte-based team of thieves would allegedly go to buy cars at car dealerships, pretending to make a purchase, and as part of the test drive or inspection, they would switch the cars’ real key fobs for similar fobs and then later use the authentic car keys to steal the cars back. This sort of vulnerability relied a little too heavily on the human element of a car deal. Certain modern luxury key fobs can be very similar even across different brands.

Weak Points In Key Control:

• Genuine key fobs can be secretly exchanged
• Similar-looking substitutes may escape quick inspection
• Dealership procedures can create security gaps
• Employee verification helps protect vehicle inventory
• Physical key handling remains critically important

For a bad actor who’s checking the vehicle in, if the employees are only inspecting the look of the car, there is potential that a good fob can slip through the cracks. This is a good reminder to dealers that vehicle security encompasses much more than just the vehicle’s electronic security. Key control protocols, employee checks, audits, and physical handling of those smart keys are also an important aspect of security. A good immobilizer is worthless if the keys are already in the wrong hand. That’s why physical key handling is just as important as electronic security for both consumers and dealers. Good policies can mitigate the chances of a legitimate key being exchanged or stolen without being immediately recognized.

2. Electronic Keyless Entry Vulnerabilities

Unfortunately, physical key theft is far from the only problem modern vehicles need protection from. Many cars now have passive keyless-entry systems that can detect the owner’s key fob being near the car and will automatically unlock the doors for them without the need to physically enter a key. While convenient for drivers, this feature can open up a new door for bad actors trying to interfere with the vehicle and its legitimate key. A relay attack is one such method. Broadly speaking, bad actors will try to increase the radius of communication between the vehicle and a nearby key so that the vehicle mistakenly believes that the key is within range to unlock and start.

Important Keyless-Entry Considerations:

• Passive systems communicate with nearby key fobs
• Relay attacks can extend communication range
• Keys may remain inside homes during attacks
• Security settings vary between different vehicles
• Manufacturer guidance remains important for protection

The physical key can stay in the car as the owner operates the vehicle elsewhere. The basic take-home lesson for owners is pretty simple: Convenience features are also a security feature. Owners should understand how their particular keyless system works, if their passive entry can be turned off, whether the manufacturer provides security alternatives or upgrades, and learn the nuances of the manufacturers implementation. Every automaker uses a different system, so picking up the carmaker’s guidance on passive entry and key authentication can be helpful. Neither automaker technology works exactly the same way, and one feature that a carmaker offers on one vehicle can be completely different on another model.

3. Diagnostic-Port and Credential Risks

Today’s cars have diagnostic ports that enable technicians to interact with the vehicle’s electrical systems. Diagnostic interfaces serve a purpose for maintenance and troubleshooting, but when used by criminals to input vehicle credentials and control functions, these interfaces raise concerns for vehicle security. The source article outlined how thieves can use equipment to generate, or reverse engineer, key credentials via the diagnostic port. From a vehicle owner’s perspective, this raises the potential security risk, rather than the technicalities of how a protection measure is compromised.

Ways To Reduce Diagnostic Access Risks:

• OBD-port locks create physical access barriers
• Aftermarket systems can add immobilization layers
• Security updates may address electronic vulnerabilities
• Qualified technicians can review available protections
• Factory immobilizers remain an important security layer

An OBD-port lock may serve as a deterrent to a malicious attacker, but other aftermarket security devices can serve as an additional immobilizer layer. Consumers may also want to check with a dealership or trained technicians to see if their vehicle has been upgraded with the latest available software security updates. These measures aren’t substitutes for the factory immobilizer; they only add an extra obstacle against electronic intrusion. Because electronics systems vary by make and model, consumers should choose an additional security device for their individual vehicle.

4. Protecting the Smart Key at Home

Outside signals are effectively shielded once the key is inside. Keeping the key near an outside door, window, or garage wall can unintentionally bounce outside signals to the car, even if you’re not standing there. Moving the key further in, away from an outside window or wall can weaken that signal. And the next best step may be signal-shielded storage. If implemented properly, a Faraday bag or other metal signal-blocking container prevents the key from sending signals to the car while inside.

Smart-Key Storage Practices:

• Keep keys away from exterior walls
• Store fobs farther inside the home
• Use tested signal-blocking storage when appropriate
• Protect spare keys using similar precautions
• Regularly verify shielding effectiveness

It’s especially effective when applied to spare keys, as vehicles are often kept in arm’s reach in the foreground, leading owners to dismiss a spare fob in the back. As with anything designed to block signals, whatever approach you choose should be put to the test, rather than blindly trusting a pouch or container. Drop the key in your pouch, and see if you can get the vehicle to respond to the key from outside. If not, great, but it could also mean that your bags aren’t blocking the signal. Materials intended to block signals will also begin to degrade with use, so it’s worth testing periodically as part of other vehicle security measures.

5. Disabling Passive Entry and Using Built-In Security Features

Passive entry can usually be turned off via the vehicle’s infotainment system, settings or a certain series of buttons, depending on the make and model. Certain smart keys have motion-activated sleep modes, which turn off or diminish the radio-frequency signals when the key is stationary for a period of time. This adds an additional layer of security by preventing the key from communicating wirelessly for as long. It’s ideal if the vehicle is parked close to home. Check the owner’s manual for security options specific to the vehicle.

Built-In Security Features To Check:

• Passive entry may be disabled manually
• Vehicle settings can control keyless functions
• Some fobs offer motion-based sleep modes
• Security features vary between different models
• Manufacturer documentation explains available protections

It is not available on all models, so owners should refer to their owners’ manual rather than assuming that all smart keys will unlock all vehicles with a dead battery. Electronic updates are part of vehicle security, as well. In some cases, the manufacturer can update vehicle software or change the programming of control modules to prevent electronic security from being penetrated. Owners worried about the security of their vehicle can speak to an authorized dealer to find out whether their vehicle falls under any campaigns, or has already been updated to improve security.

6. Building Multiple Physical Security Layers

But no one device has to shoulder the entire load. For example, you can build in separate layers, teaming the factory immobilizer with other physical and electronic obstacle devices. The approach is to build in several discrete roadblocks instead of depending solely on the factory device. A lock on the OBD port can block access to the diagnostic connector, and an aftermarket immobilizer can make it so the driver needs to enter a code before the engine starts.

Layers That Can Strengthen Protection:

• Factory immobilizers provide foundational protection
• OBD locks restrict diagnostic-port access
• Aftermarket immobilizers add authorization requirements
• Steering-wheel locks create physical deterrents
• Tracking systems support vehicle recovery efforts

A simple steering-wheel lock can offer an obvious physical barrier that will require some effort to defeat. A vehicle recovery system can add another layer; hidden location sensors or a professionally installed recovery system may help authorities locate a vehicle once it has been stolen. Factory telematics are another option, but in federal court records that have stemmed from some recent auto theft trials, at least one defendant was accused of removing a thief’s tracking technology from a vehicle once the car was taken. The benefit of layered security is that each type will address different vulnerabilities; a physical lock, an electronic immobilizer, diagnostic-port protection or tracking technology all serve a different purpose.

7. VIN Tampering and Federal Vehicle Protections

Theft rarely stops when a vehicle hits the market and leaves a dealership or a driveway. Some organized criminals, for example, may try to hide stolen vehicles with a new VIN, a different registration number or by editing records. One federal enforcement case targeted a well-organized theft ring that used altered VINs and other techniques to evade detection. Federal law prohibits tampering with a VIN and trafficking in stolen vehicles with altered VINs.

Vehicle Identification Security Measures:

• VIN tampering can conceal stolen vehicles
• Federal law prohibits identification-number alteration
• Covered vehicles receive additional identifying markings
• Multiple identity points support investigations
• Documentation helps establish vehicle authenticity

(Vehicle Manufacturer Requirements Identification Markings) Vehicle manufacturers must also meet federal requirements concerning identification markings for listed vehicle components. Identifying markings that are applied or inscribed to specified original parts on covered vehicles and that are subject to these NHTSA requirements are as specified by 49 CFR Part 541. These additional identification markings may be useful in the field because a vehicle can have several identity points, other than the visible windshield VIN number, as an identifying marker. If the vehicle’s main identification plate was doctored, examiners can compare markings and paperwork to determine if a vehicle is missing or has all of its major components.

8. Using NMVTIS Before Buying a Used Vehicle

Consumers in the market for a pricey used car need to make sure you know what you’re buying before giving up any cash. The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, (known as NMVTIS) was created by the Anti Car Theft Act of 1992 and is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. NMVTIS is designed to assist in preventing stolen vehicles from re-entering the marketplace and safeguard consumers against fraud and related crimes. An NMVTIS report includes information on title history, brands, odometer readings, salvage history and certain theft information.

Information Buyers Should Verify:

• Review the vehicle’s NMVTIS history
• Check title and branding information
• Compare reported and physical odometer details
• Look for salvage or theft-related records
• Arrange an independent vehicle inspection

The system isn’t a substitute for an independent inspection or every other vehicle-history resource, but it is an important step to take before you buy. The federal program recommends having an independent vehicle inspection and purchasing a vehicle history report before you buy a vehicle, the GAO found. That’s an important distinction because a vehicle’s appearance doesn’t necessarily equate to an absence of history. Before a purchase, consumers should compare what they learn in the report to the physical automobile and what the seller provides, including the title. If those don’t agree, the discrepancy should be looked into before the transaction proceeds.

9. Checking Multiple Vehicle Identity Markers

A thorough pre-purchase walk-around should be more than a quick glance through the windshield at the dash VIN. The dash VIN, door-jamb certification label, title documentation, and relevant component identification labels must all match. As part of the NHTSA theft-prevention standards, vehicles that are model year 2004 and later that are subject to the law must contain identifying markings on designated vehicle components.

Identity Checks Worth Performing:

• Compare dashboard and door-jamb VIN information
• Verify VIN details against title paperwork
• Examine applicable component identification markings
• Look for disturbed identification plates
• Investigate unusual electronic-system modifications

There are additional indicators as well. Signs of tampering with a car’s identification plates, additional repair work around electronic or telematics parts, strange glitches in security systems or selling an upscale car at a significantly abnormal price should give prospective buyers pause. It is wise, especially if the car’s owner or import history is complicated, to have a professional examine a pre-owned car before purchasing. It’s essential to verify that the physical vehicle and its documentation and history are consistent. No one point of identification should be considered unequivocal; multiple references will help ensure that potential discrepancies stand out.

10. Creating a Practical Vehicle Security Routine

You don’t need a vast array of pricey, complex kits to secure your vehicle well. Your daily routine can make a real difference in the effectiveness of anti-theft measures on your modern vehicle. Keep smart keys away from outside walls, windows and doors, and always use proven signal-blocking storage when needed. Find out if you can disable passive keyless entry on your vehicle, and if it has security-relevant software updates. You could also physically verify that the vehicle has been securely locked before you walk away a simple but effective safeguard against vehicle theft.

Simple Habits For Everyday Protection:

• Store smart keys away from exterior walls
• Test signal-blocking storage regularly
• Check available passive-entry settings
• Keep vehicle software properly updated
• Confirm the vehicle locks after leaving

Owners can then add other layers, depending on their vehicle and risk appetite: physical steering-wheel locks, diagnostic-port protection, extra immobilisers and tracking technology. The strongest configuration in most cases is when no single failure provides a thief with everything he needs. The broader takeaway from recent thefts is that stolen-vehicle protection extends beyond just advanced electronics, with human processes, physical keys, digital systems, vehicle-identity and recovery resources having crucial roles to play. Federal lawsuits over dealership theft rings show that criminals will prey on surprisingly mundane weaknesses, while government tools such as NMVTIS and federal theft-reduction requirements have useful applications for consumers and police.