In Canada, a vehicle is stolen every five minutes. This issue is especially bad in Ontario and Quebec where the majority of thefts are occurring. As Canadians become understandably more concerned, it’s important to learn more about the impact and danger of auto theft, and what you can do to protect yourself.
- Why is auto theft increasing?
- Auto theft impacts all Canadians
- What are common types of vehicle theft?
- Ways to protect yourself against vehicle theft
- What is the government doing to prevent vehicle theft?
Why is auto theft increasing?
There has been a significant increase in vehicle theft. It’s now at the point where it’s been officially labelled as an “auto theft crisis” in Canada. There is no singular reason for this increase, but a variety of factors have caused it, ranging from economic pressures to evolving theft techniques. Economic downturns and financial instability have driven some individuals to resort to criminal activities, including car theft, to make quick money. Additionally, the high demand for parts from stolen cars have further fueled this surge. Criminals have become more sophisticated in their methods, utilizing technology and hacking tools to gain access to vehicles with keyless entry systems. Moreover, opportunistic thefts due to car owners leaving their vehicles unlocked or keys easily accessible, inadequate security measures in some vehicles, and regional trends also play a significant role in the rise of car theft incidents. Organized criminal rings are playing their part as well. With scams like VIN cloning being used to disguise a stolen car, they are then shipping these vehicles overseas making it incredibly difficult to catch the culprits.
Auto theft impacts all Canadians
Theft in Canada has been increasing, with Ontario and Quebec seeing increases of 48.2% and 57.9% respectively, since 2021. The financial repercussions of this have been significant. In 2022, auto insurance claims totalled $1.2 billion, with Ontario seeing the majority of this cost with $700 million. This not only impacts insurance companies but also contributes to rising insurance premiums for drivers. For example, in Ontario, regardless of whether a person has had a car stolen or not, drivers pay an average annual cost of $130 to cover theft claims. Beyond the financial stress, Canadians are concerned about what this upwards trend in theft means for their safety. A September 2023 survey found that 69% of Canadians are concerned about their personal security in relation to auto thefts.
What are common types of vehicle theft?
As mentioned previously, vehicle theft is becoming far more sophisticated due to rapid technological advancements. Some of these methods may seem very confusing or complicated, and that is part of the challenge to combatting vehicle theft.
- Relay attacks. With keyless entry vehicles, when the owner is near their vehicle, the key fob is sending a signal to the vehicle and the vehicle to the fob. This back and forth is a radio wave handshake to validate the correct key fob and allow access to the vehicle. Using a device that’s designed to intercept electronic signals that are sent by a key fob, usually two thieves will gather the codes exchanged. One person has the device that tricks the car into sending a signal out to a key fob, while the other person has a device near the legitimate key fob that intercepts the response from it. At that point, the car can be opened and started by the thieves. Once the car is turned off, the thieves can no longer use that method to gain access to your vehicle.
- Key cloning. Much like a relay attack, the thief has a device that intercepts the unique key fob code, but instead of the back-and-forth that happens in the relay attack, that unique code is then cloned onto a different key fob. This method is far more sophisticated and difficult to do compared to relay attacks.
- Hacking your car. There’s a computer that’s in current vehicles called controller area network bus (CAN bus), and this computer acts like a central point where all the individual computers in your vehicle communicate to each other. This information includes the unique code that a key fob uses. In some vehicles, there are physical ports that were built to be accessed somewhat easily for mechanics or technicians to access onboard diagnostics tools during maintenance appointments. This has been discovered as a vulnerability for thieves to access information which they can then use to gain access to a vehicle. If a car doesn’t have this easy-to-access port, sometimes a thief will gain access to the CAN bus by breaking through a headlight where they are able to connect directly to the CAN bus.
Ways to protect yourself against vehicle theft
It might seem like, due to the advancement of technology, that it’s very difficult to prevent a vehicle from being stolen, but there are ways. First and foremost, it should be noted that unfortunately some vehicle thefts are unavoidable and that you should never do anything that puts your own health and safety at risk for the protection of your car. That being said, it is good practice to adopt at least a few theft prevention options.
Basic precautions
- Always lock your vehicle’s doors and windows.
- Park in a secure garage or a well-lit area with surveillance, if possible.
- Install motion sensing lights and/or cameras.
- Never leave your vehicle running unattended.
- Don’t hide a spare key for the vehicle (ie. Under a door mat, in a fake garden ornament).
- Remove all valuables or technology from view in your vehicle.
Mechanical deterrents
- Invest in a steering wheel lock.
- Install visible anti-theft devices like gearshift locks, hood locks, and steering column collars.
- Consider adding an immobilizer or fuel kill switches to your vehicle’s security to prevent the engine from starting without the proper key.
- Install a car alarm if there isn’t one already.
Technological enhancements
- Protect your key fob by placing it in a radio frequency shielding bag to defend against a relay attack.
- Use on-board diagnostics (OBD) port blockers to prevent a thief from reprogramming what key fobs can access the vehicle.
- Invest in a quality GPS tracker to aid in vehicle recovery if the vehicle does get stolen.
Even when purchasing a vehicle, Canadians are still at risk of becoming part of the auto theft story. Buying a stolen car is becoming a larger concern in Canada, especially with scams like VIN cloning increasing. A CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report can help reduce the risk of buying a stolen car as reports check to see if a car is reported as stolen. In fact, in 2023 over 13,000 vehicles appeared on Vehicle History Reports run as “actively stolen”. This step is an effective way to safeguard an unsuspecting customer from accidentally purchasing a stolen car.
What is the government doing to prevent vehicle theft?
Vehicle thefts in Canada have reached the level of “national crisis” according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. To address the surge in vehicle theft across the nation, Canadian authorities have rolled out a multifaceted crime prevention strategy. This comprehensive approach includes public consultations and other key measures aimed at reversing the worrying trend.
- A national summit brought together stakeholders and professionals from a wide range of industries impacted by auto theft, including CARFAX Canada, to formulate a coordinated response.
- The federal government has invested in combatting serious organized crime with the goal of amplifying the fight against auto theft and its associated offenses, leveraging technology partnerships with auto manufacturers to enhance security.
- Transport Canada is updating vehicle safety standards to incorporate anti-theft technologies.
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada is actively working with auto manufacturers to develop innovative strategies for vehicle protection.
- The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is enhancing its capabilities to spot and halt the transport of stolen vehicles in shipping containers.
The ongoing collaboration with both domestic and international partners is crucial for the fight against vehicle theft, which includes robust efforts to halt the illegal export of stolen vehicles. This cooperative stance is critical in addressing the activities of criminals.
Auto theft in Canada may be at crisis levels, but that doesn’t mean that there’s no hope for you and your car. Being aware of how a vehicle can be stolen, and the ways that you can prevent and protect your vehicle is crucial to keeping yourself safe.