A recent spike in luxury vehicle thefts in the US-neighboring Canada region of York prompted the local police to issue a warning about thieves using Apple’s AirTags for thefts.
These small devices are used for tracking, and thieves place them on luxurious cars they see in public places. Then they track them and steal them from driveways.
Due to Its Small Size, Apple AirTag Can Be Hidden Anywhere in the Vehicle
AirTag is quite small – measures 1.26 inches in diameter and weighs 0.39 ounces. The device sends pings to nearby Apple devices, which are then used to pinpoint its location. The original intent was to be an anti-theft device. For instance, users could put them in their wallets or purses and easily track them if they get lost or stolen via a dedicated app.
Thieves now use these gadgets for entirely different purposes. They scout for luxury vehicles in public places, put AirTags on them, and track the vehicle to the owner’s home. They later steal it from driveways, where it’s less public.
The Officials Advise Vehicle Owners to Park in Garages and Apple Users to Check Their Notifications
Apple tried to prevent such situations by notifying Apple device owners of an unidentified AirTag pinging close to them, but that doesn’t help people who don’t own Apple devices. Unfortunately, those who do own them rarely check notifications.
Besides using high-tech equipment for tracking targets, the thieves also have the latest equipment for vehicle theft. By bypassing the built-in systems and low-end car alarms, they can enter and start the cars.
Police advise vehicle owners to park them in garages, as car theft statistics show that a large percent of cars are stolen from driveways. Car owners are also advised to upgrade their security by installing high-quality alarms and GPS trackers for cars. If they don’t have a garage and are forced to park on a driveway, then a motion sensor light might be a good call.
