By CRM Staff
Toronto, Ontario — November 29, 2018 — Protecting your new car might be harder than you thought.
Car thieves today are more creative than ever before, especially when it comes to stealing more technologically advanced vehilces. Using an electrically operated switch, known as a relay box, burglars are able to gather information from keys inside your home while standing outside.
“They can boost your (car’s) computer system, override it and just drive it away within seconds,” Lee Welbanks told CTV News.
Welbanks, a Toronto man, knows the process all too well, having had three separate Lexus vehicles stolen from his driveway in the past three years. Luxury brands such as Lexus and Mercedes have been popular choices for new age car thieves.
Gail Downey of Ottawa had her two Lexus vehicles stolen simultaneously.
“I asked my husband to go out and look and he said both the cars are missing,” she told CTV News.
A spokesperson for Lexus Canada explained to CTV News that car thefts are an industry-wide issue, but that certain vehicles are in higher demands.
“Lexus is committed to helping address the security challenges that are facing the entire auto industry,” the spokesperson told CTV News. “We continue to develop technology that strengthens the integrity and security of our vehicles, and we work closely with authorities to assist with investigations related to vehicle theft.”
Welbanks is currently looking to get out of his lease, fearing for both his safety and the threat of increased insurance rates.
“I just don’t want the hassle,” he told CTV News.
“The vehicle is obviously easily stolen. There’s a local bulletin out. These are hot vehicles to steal.”
