Is Your Truck’s Tech a Target for Thieves?
A security flaw may have made it possible for thieves to steal this 2019 F-150.
The Ford F-150 is America’s best selling car, and it’s a top sales performer in Canada, too. Unfortunately, that makes the Ford F-150 an attractive target for thieves.
Due to their popularity, there’s a large market for parts. Everything from tailgates to turn signal stalks becomes a hot commodity – literally. We’re not saying that every F-150 owner needs to sleep with one eye open. However, it is a serious problem that you should be aware of.
In fact, the Ford F-150 has been appearing near the top of the lists of the most frequently stolen vehicles in the US and Canada. Some of that may have to do with the fact that car thieves can be opportunistic. There’s more F-150s around than anything else, so of course more get stolen as a result.
High Tech, Low Security
However, Ford Authority has a different theory. Is the technology designed to make our lives easier actually leaving us vulnerable to theft? It’s a compelling thought.
We’ve all seen how they do it in the movies. In the old days, they’d pop the lock with a coat hanger, bust open the steering column, and jump two wires to get the car started. These days, thieves are more high tech, like our trucks. This makes them more effective and more dangerous.
Apparently, a tech security expert discovered a flaw in Ford’s keyfob system that allows nearby thieves to capture the signal used to unlock your car out of thin air. They can then use this to access your car and get away more quickly and more quietly than ever.
Car thieves don’t take time off for the #holidays. A brand new pickup truck was stolen from the driveway of a residence in @YourCaledon.
To prevent keyless car theft consider using:
✔ steering wheel lock
✔ audible alarm
✔ car tracker
✔ signal blocking pouch #CaledonOPP ^in pic.twitter.com/5HwkH2GqoD— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) December 29, 2020
All a thief has to do is lay in wait for you to unlock your car, grab the signal, and exercise patience until an opportunity presents itself. What’s even more frightening is that, as far as the car can tell, there’s nothing to be concerned about, so the alarm never sounds.
The Ontario Provincal Police in Ontario, Canada recently shared a video of a 2019 Ford F-150 being stolen with remarkable ease on Twitter. We don’t have confirmation that this security flaw is a factor. That said, few things would explain how easily thieves made off with this truck.
Photos: Ford/Ontario Provincial Police via Ford Authority