Theft Deterrence

jwiskamp

Aug 22, 2023

My friend was visiting Littleton, CO from Mesa, AZ. Had his 2020 F150 Raptor stolen from the hotel parking lot--good area with low crime and the lot was well lit.
Reason for the post: according to the Littleton Police, it is not difficult for a bad guy though nefarious internet means to clone a key fob to their cell phone. Supposedly use the VIN or license plate to get to the VIN. Allegedly Ford Connect may provide the avenue into the cloning. Note: most all USA and offshore brands have similar openings through their "Connects."
According to the Police, once cloned they are able to quickly unlock, start, disable Ford Connect and OE tracking, then drive off.
Anyone heard of this? There is quite a bit on the internet and the personal side of this story is troubling.
Read of a "white hat" hacker who alerts the OE's when he finds a way into their systems. All--including Ford--are fairly quick to close the openings. However, my friend's Raptor was stolen yesterday, so the crooks are quick to adapt.
Through initial research I have been unable to find a good theft deterrence for our 22 Wildtrak and 19 Lincoln. Ideas or comments?

Laura, Chief Ron

Last edited by a moderator: Aug 22, 2023

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Aug 22, 2023

Long story short: a well known car crook in our area was in custody and speaking to court bailiff while waiting for his hearing. He told the deputy that he has a device that captures the code from a fob, which he then uses to unlock and start the car. He claimed it was easier to steal a car with the fob than older style hot-wiring. After hearing this from my friend (the bailiff), I did a bit of internet searching and indeed, there are even videos of the thieves using this technology and even from outside a closed garage door, while standing next to the car in the driveway. They aim the antenna toward the interior of the home, the key fob responds to the query and bam, car door unlocks. I have no idea exactly how the tech works but if you look online, you will find the videos. Pretty scary.

the poacher, Chief Ron

Aug 22, 2023

jwiskamp
My friend was visiting Littleton, CO from Mesa, AZ. Had his 2020 F150 Raptor stolen from the hotel parking lot--good area with low crime and the lot was well lit.
Reason for the post: according to the Littleton Police, it is not difficult for a bad guy though nefarious internet means to clone a key fob to their cell phone. Supposedly use the VIN or license plate to get to the VIN. Allegedly Ford Connect may provide the avenue into the cloning. Note: most all USA and offshore brands have similar openings through their "Connects."
According to the Police, once cloned they are able to quickly unlock, start, disable Ford Connect and OE tracking, then drive off.
Anyone heard of this? There is quite a bit on the internet and the personal side of this story is troubling.
Read of a "white hat" hacker who alerts the OE's when he finds a way into their systems. All--including Ford--are fairly quick to close the openings. However, my friend's Raptor was stolen yesterday, so the crooks are quick to adapt.
Through initial research I have been unable to find a good theft deterrence for our 22 Wildtrak and 19 Lincoln. Ideas or comments?

There have been a few discussions about vehicle security in the past. Take a look at this thread.
https://thebronconation.com/general-bronco-discussion-n.139/ravelco-anti-theft-t.10368/#post-150694

@NT AUTOMOTIVE used to frequent the forums until he sold his Bronco. Not sure if he is still selling his products or not.

2022 Bronco Badlands, 4D, Hot Pepper Red, 2.7, Squatch, Lux, and MIC.
7/13/2020 10:04pm reservation. Blend 6/16/2022 Delivered 6/26/2022.
Dealership - Stephen's Auto Center.

NT AUTOMOTIVE, TK1215

Aug 22, 2023

Faraday box and Ravelco.

Timothy Moore, Darrel

Aug 22, 2023

So they access the fob? And from/through that, to the truck? If this owner was in his hotel room, then the thief's technology had considerable reach. Comment on that, please.
If wireless connection to the fob is essential to the gambit, then would an rfid-resistant envelope or pouch be the answer?

the poacher

Aug 22, 2023

They can grab the RF signal between the fob and the car while the owner is in the lot, or they could, I suppose, walk around outside the hotel and try their luck at grabbing the code through the window. I dunno....it's all "FM" to me but apparently it works.

Aug 22, 2023

Here is a link to an article and a video of a theft in progress:

https://leasing.com/guides/relay-car-theft-what-is-it-and-how-can-you-avoid-it/

Aug 22, 2023

Penalties for car theft need to be more severe.
Wait until they figure out how to steal your autonomous car.

MAGA Make Archie Great Again

OrangecrushBronco, PSUTE

Aug 22, 2023

Dwalsh
They can grab the RF signal between the fob and the car while the owner is in the lot, or they could, I suppose, walk around outside the hotel and try their luck at grabbing the code through the window. I dunno....it's all "FM" to me but apparently it works.

Maybe the thief hung around the parking lot, waiting for a valuable car to pull in. Or maybe saw the Bronco in traffic, followed it, and grabbed the RF signal when he parked?
And what do you think of RFID pouches?

Chief Ron

Aug 22, 2023

NiceBronco
Faraday box and Ravelco.

Took the words right out o my mouth! If the comments about the web access are true it confirms why I don't activate any of these sites. Lower my profile the better off I am. Also there is no "good area with low crime and the lot was well lit." According to the local sheriff the better the place the more high end vehicles, and the better to steal your car from.

NiceBronco, Chief Ron

Aug 22, 2023

#10

The Key Fob was in his hotel room well out of range of the truck. Like I mentioned above, there is a process to clone the fob to the bad guy's phone, through the dark web--which is what the police in this theft theorized happened. I like the Ravelco solution and the pin lock could be ok for my older Fords--but would hate it to activate while I was descending a tough trail in the Bronco....LOL

Chief Ron

Aug 22, 2023

#11

I'm old school. The new school thieves are computer savy and tech guys.

I still use the "club"steering wheel lock and the steering wheel to brake pedal lock.

They worked very well for me back-in-the-day and I still use them on the Shelby and the Raptor.

NewJamess, Deano Bronc

Aug 23, 2023

#12

NiceBronco
Faraday box and Ravelco.

I was just reading a post on FB on the Bronco Ladies Group about Faraday bags and boxes. FOBs go in a box each night and she keeps the FOB to her Bronco in a bag in her purse.

Hi y'all, Lauri here and I am the proud owner of a MY21 Badlands, SAS, 2.7 auto, 4 door, soft top, Cactus Gray, no reservation, ordered 9/11/21, Took delivery 1/8/22!

Deano Bronc, Roughstock11

Aug 23, 2023

#13

Texas Bronco
I'm old school. The new school thieves are computer savy and tech guys.

I still use the "club"steering wheel lock and the steering wheel to brake pedal lock.

They worked very well for me back-in-the-day and I still use them on the Shelby and the Raptor.

"Back in the day" those things were very easily defeated. But now, perhaps they'll defeat crooks of this generation. Actually, a manual transmission is a pretty effective deterrent to most young car thieves--carjackers, especially. Most urban hoodlums don't know how to shift!

615_Bronco, Micahman

Aug 23, 2023

#14

BostonBadlands
"Back in the day" those things were very easily defeated. But now, perhaps they'll defeat crooks of this generation. Actually, a manual transmission is a pretty effective deterrent to most young car thieves--carjackers, especially. Most urban hoodlums don't know how to shift!

The ones today are better like Stoplock pro. The best way is to cut the steering wheel. Some need two cuts (stoplock) so with a thief who is capable it takes about 6 minutes and some noise. I do believe, as has been said, these young kids probably don't even have any tools with them. One can only hope. The keys in the old ones were useless. Manual.. now that's funny...but probably true.

23 Bronco Raptor, code orange belts, keyless, lux, leather trim/suede seats, carbon fibre, shadow black

Chief Ron

Aug 23, 2023

#15

My throttle controller has a throttle lock function. Wonder how long it takes them to figure that out?

21 Badlands, 2 dr, four banger, slushbox, SAS. PERFECT!

Darrel

Aug 23, 2023

#16

Foxtrot Bravo
Penalties for car theft need to be more severe.
Wait until they figure out how to steal your autonomous car.

If it is autonomous, how would you know it didn't run away to find a better home?...:)...

'21 AMB Basesquatch 2 Door. 2.7. 569 days from reservation to delivery

Stryf, Darrel

Aug 23, 2023

#17

PSUTE
If it is autonomous, how would you know it didn't run away to find a better home?...:)Or...

Or it was programmed to obey another master.

Deano Bronc, Chief Ron

Aug 23, 2023

#18

One of the things I like about the Ford Pass app is the ability to see where my car is at all times. That could come in handy if it goes missing. :geek:

Chris here. I drive a 2-door Velocity Blue 2023 Ford Bronco Badlands with Sasquatch, Lux, a 2.7L V6, and an automatic transmission. It’s fun.

"Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Chief Ron, Darrel

Aug 23, 2023

#19

Hmm this is an interesting thread. I been thinking about this conundrum and for the truly paranoid (all in my circle and orbit), a last resort anti-theft idea. Pop your hood, close and lock vehicle, open hood, disconnect battery, close hood. Unlock with key, pop hood reconnect battery. Start car, quick recalibration and you are off and running. I have had my battery disconnected overnight and haven’t even lost a radio channel.

Jakob1972

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