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Interesting visit from the police
Comments
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Look, no keys: tech-savvy car thieves target hot Audis-
Audi owners are being warned that they are among the targets of a new breed of thief that is able to break into cars and drive off without needing a key. Police say that hundreds of vehicles have been taken with a technique that involves gaining entry and then programming a blank key fob using equipment that can be bought online or in specialist shops.
Drivers of high-performance Audi RS and S models in the Midlands are understood to have been among those most heavily targeted this year. “There have been literally hundreds of cars taken in this way,” a police source based in the region told Driving.
“It’s a huge issue,” the source added. “The majority of cars that are being stolen will be used for crime. Thieves love estate cars like the RS 4 because they have a large luggage capacity and upwards of 400bhp.”
One Birmingham-based shop, NV Motorsport, said that it knew of at least 20 customers whose Audis had been stolen this way. It is now selling an unofficial software upgrade — untested by Driving — that is claimed to make the vehicles more resistant to theft.
The tactic being used is the same as one employed last year to steal vast numbers of BMWs. That car maker has since released a software update that has reportedly deterred thieves.
Criminals will either smash a window or jam the vehicle’s remote signal to prevent the car from locking. Once inside, they plug a device — roughly the size of a mobile phone — into the diagnostic port fitted to all modern cars, which connects it to the vehicle’s computer. This allows it access to the codes needed to program a blank key fob that is held close to the device. Within 20 seconds crooks are able to lock, unlock and start the car.
The programming gadgets should be available only to dealers and locksmiths, but a device that claims to be able to program Audi A4, A5 and Q5 models without requiring a key to be present can be found for sale online.
Audi said it was aware of a “small number” of vehicle thefts but it had no conclusive proof that its cars could be stolen this way.
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/ingear/cars/article1303547.ece0 -
Pinching cars to order has been around for years. I remember years back one of the Beckhams cars was taken to order.
Trackers and Black Jax are the best route. Otherwise stuff like this happens
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-21256852
The Mails story gives you an idea of the type of cars seen regular on the drive.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2270605/Axe-held-year-old-boys-throat-masked-gang-raided-property-developers-home-steal-high-performance-car.html0 -
That's the thing - the Audi in question rarely leaves the garage, in the garage with it lives a Volvo C30 and out on the drive is fifteen year old Nissan Primera. If you were casually, or even regularly driving past the house, you'd see the Nissan and occasionally the Volvo.0
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worried_jim wrote: »Look, no keys: tech-savvy car thieves target hot Audis-
Audi owners are being warned
<snip>
Audi said it was aware of a “small number” of vehicle thefts but it had no conclusive proof that its cars could be stolen this way.
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/ingear/cars/article1303547.ece
Saw a watchdog investigation into this ages ago but concerning BMWs.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mg74/features/bmw-car-theft-technology0 -
Best plan is to hang the keys off a hook in the hall, with a big glow in the dark sign that says "AUDI KEYS". Put the garage door key on the same ring. That way, they can be in and out of the house with minimum fuss.
The last thing you want is to be woken up by 3 blokes in hoodies with baseball bats demanding the keys. If they have come for the car, they are taking it with them.
As long as they force entry to the house to get the keys, the insurance have to pay out.
Not necessarily, not all thieves will steal at all costs such as through violent means. So locked doors, CCTV, sensors/alarms, censored lights etc CAN act as deterrents.0 -
penthouse89 wrote: »Can't actually believe that there are scum out there that follow high end cars home with a view to stealing them
it's sickening really.
I can't believe there are people who wouldn't spot that they we're being followed home.........
I get home sometimes and i'll see a similar car to one i'd seen near work 15 miles and 25mins ago and I think "is that the same car I passed on the dual carriageway?" "hmmmm, no different year" or "different suffix letters" or "nah, the other one had a private plate".
In fact nobody follows me anywhere and anyone that did would set alarm bells ringing, I drive fast but within the speed limits, in traffic it's impossible to keep up with that unless you drive like a loon and driving like a loon behind me, will result in me taking a detour to lose you.
The only way would be to follow me part way home, then follow from that point a week later, but even then i'd be suspicious. My driving route is not straight forward, it's not the fastest, it's not the shortest, but it's designed to avoid hassle and confrontation with stupid drivers.
I do the same when out on my MTB too, because most high value bikes are stolen from peoples homes, so close to home i'll get off the main road and do a loop of the local roads (and some alleyways) to make sure im not being followed.
I think it's a good warning for "autopilot" drivers, but these tactics aren't going to catch out the observant driver at all.
Of course, let's factor in that the DVLA sells data to 3rd parties (like parking enforcement firms), it'd be quite easy for someone on the inside to draw up a shopping list.“I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an a** of yourself.”
<><><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><> Don't forget to like and subscribe \/ \/ \/0 -
^^^^^^^^
Looks like you have some kind of complex..paranoia perhaps0 -
Then sell the car and spend the money on something less ostentatious but equally enjoyable.
I agree with this, we as British people use our cars as status symbols, symbols of wealth, although usually you'll find it's all "kippers and curtains", behind that 60k BMW there's a house falling apart on the inside.
BUT, houses with a fancy car outside DO attract more attention from thieves. It's like leaving a note on your door saying "hey we're loaded, come see what we've got", so when a gang of would be thieving gits break down your door, you could lose many fingers and toes trying to convince them that there is no safe.........“I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an a** of yourself.”
<><><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><> Don't forget to like and subscribe \/ \/ \/0 -
^^^^^^^^
Looks like you have some kind of complex..paranoia perhaps
No, just more observant than your average bear.
People who don't know me, call me a pessimist. But to me the glass is not half empty, it's just too big.“I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an a** of yourself.”
<><><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><> Don't forget to like and subscribe \/ \/ \/0 -
Best plan is to hang the keys off a hook in the hall, with a big glow in the dark sign that says "AUDI KEYS". Put the garage door key on the same ring. That way, they can be in and out of the house with minimum fuss.
The last thing you want is to be woken up by 3 blokes in hoodies with baseball bats demanding the keys. If they have come for the car, they are taking it with them.
As long as they force entry to the house to get the keys, the insurance have to pay out.
No point now, seeing as the Audi security has been hacked, and you can now steal one via the OBD port, smash window, connect port, re-program and your away in minutes.
Although Audi are denying it and issuing gagging orders.
BMW all over again?0
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