Keyless-entry systems once seemed like the ultimate upgrade, turning a simple fob into a magic wand that unlocks doors with a tap or even a wave. Drivers embraced the convenience, and automakers rushed to make it standard across new models. That same convenience now fuels a troubling trend as thieves exploit the very tech designed to simplify life. Insurance claims for stolen vehicles have surged in recent years, and keyless-entry systems sit right at the center of the problem. The issue does not lie in the idea of innovation itself but in how quickly criminals adapt to it.
Car thieves no longer rely on smashed windows or hotwiring techniques from decades past. Instead, they use inexpensive electronic tools to intercept signals from key fobs and trick vehicles into unlocking. These so-called relay attacks allow criminals to access cars parked in driveways, garages, and even outside busy shopping centers.
