In 2023, more than 700,000 vehicles were reported stolen in the U.S.— did you know that? That’s the equivalent of taking 1 in 13 cars off the road! To stop a theft before it happens, a GPS tracking device is a must to monitor your vehicle. It is more than just theft protection and peace of mind—it’s convenient real-time tracking and instant notifications. Picture this— you are on your way to the mall, and receive a notification that your vehicle has been towed. Here’s how you can take immediate action.
These devices have been a game changer for fleet owners as well. Prevent theft, keep tabs on your fleet, and more— GPS trackers do it all. In reality, GPS tracking is more than a smart option—it’s a necessity.
Learn how a little tracking device can help you keep your most precious possessions safe. Get one step ahead of thieves and take back control over your assets.
In 2022, every three minutes a car simply disappeared off the face of the earth on California’s streets. That might be hard to believe, but it’s a cruel reality that many Americans, especially those with older vehicles, are living. These vehicles also tend to have outdated anti-theft features, making them low-hanging fruits.
The FBI also reported that a car was stolen every 23 seconds just last year, further amplifying this deeply troubling blind spot in today’s environment. Losing a car would be the least of the problem. It is necessary to address the larger issue of protecting our property in a more theft-ridden world.
In 2023, the U.S. Has seen an alarming 23% increase in motor vehicle thefts. Australia followed suit with an 11% increase in hate crimes of the same type. Less than a third—only 28% —of stolen goods ever get returned to their rightful owners.
This highlights the need to prioritize theft prevention. GPS tracking devices provide a completely proactive solution, serving as your protective guardian angel. They’re better than cameras because they’re not just passively providing real-time updates, but they can also report suspicious activities instantly.
As someone who has worked with General Motors and OnStar, Paul can vouch for their efficacy. GPS tracking solutions such as GPSWOX are already trusted all around the world by residential and commercial users, which is clear evidence of their quality.
Anti-theft solutions
When it comes to protecting vehicles from theft, a multi-layered approach of anti-theft solutions provides the ultimate protection. Common measures include:
- Steering wheel locks
- Car alarms
- GPS tracking devices
- Faraday bags
- Smart keys
Steering wheel lock
Steering wheel locks act as a first line of defense, a visible deterrent, letting potential thieves know that the vehicle is protected. They are also relatively simple for owners to install and uninstall, offering a convenient and economical means of protection.
That said, while steering wheel locks can stop opportunistic thieves, more determined criminals will find ways around them. In real-world applications, steering wheel locks have prevented thousands of thefts. When integrated as part of a larger security strategy, this demonstrates they work.
Car alarm systems
Vehicle alarm systems play a key role in notifying vehicle owners and nearby individuals of unauthorized entry. Many different types of alarms are out there, from simple sound alarms to sophisticated systems with immobilizers.
Selecting a dependable car alarm with a history of successful deterrence will greatly enhance your protection. Car alarms have prevented more thefts than they’ve had stolen cars due to their ability to attract attention and scare potential thieves away.
Tracking devices
GPS tracking devices are an important part of the vehicle recovery process post-theft. Small and simple to hide, these devices allow law enforcement to track down stolen vehicles in a matter of minutes.
When compared to other solutions, the theft recovery accuracy of GPS trackers is unparalleled, thanks to their ability to track real-time location. They’re also one of the most popular tracking systems available today, providing an incredible amount of peace of mind to organizations and consumers alike.
Choosing the right GPS tracker will help you protect your vehicles. To help you make an informed decision, try to compare features, pros, and cons of various models side by side.
Here’s a table that outlines some options:
These are just a few installation methods to consider. You have the choice between a DIY solution or a professional installation.
However, hardwired trackers are best for consistent power without a need for recurring charging. Portable trackers allow for flexibility.
Whether you want it to be easily accessible or hard to find for protection will also depend on your purpose. Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to get the best performance out of your device.
When choosing a GPS tracker, look for these essential features:
- Real-time tracking
- Alerts for movement or impact
- Geofencing capabilities
- Long battery life
- User-friendly interfaces
Geofencing is another layer of security that will alert you when your vehicle moves outside a defined perimeter. Battery life is also important, with long-lasting and wireless batteries being the best.
A simple, intuitive interface keeps the device easy to use, so you’re not weighed down by complicated technology.
GPS trackers range in cost from under $20 to over $100. While some may have an initial price tag, others do not, and many come with monthly subscription fees, something 90% of devices require.
Take into account long-term savings from theft-proofing your investment and compare the price tag to potential peace of mind.
User-friendly mobile apps are essential, letting you track your vehicle from anywhere. With beginner-friendly devices, first-timers have a much more positive experience, gaining instant access to helpful information.
Plan for the learning curve when using more advanced models to make sure you’re getting the most out of them.
Device notifications can notify you in the event of movement, tampering or other events. Real-time alerts are essential when it comes to preventing theft.
Choose customizable features so you can tailor your security system to your needs, making your security system as complete and powerful as possible.
Comprehensive trip logs and detailed driver reports help you monitor and reduce vehicle personal use and misuse. They provide recorded proof for insurance claims and assist with tracking and improving driver behavior.
Leveraging these features will help you achieve optimal vehicle utilization.
Common theft techniques
Though car theft is an epidemic today, thieves use a number of methods to steal your car. Here’s a rundown of some common methods:
One of the most common techniques thieves do is steal your keys to get access to your vehicle. This can occur through basic pickpocketing or more advanced techniques such as keyless entry hacking. Keeping track of your keys and finding other ways to access your vehicle will help avoid these occurrences. Real-life examples are everywhere of thieves stealing keys, only to later steal the vehicle itself.
Putting a GPS tracker on your bike is a great form of secondary protection, especially from key theft. Key cloning has also become easier thanks to advancements in technology. Sure enough, thieves are able to duplicate your car keys in mere seconds using electronic devices. Advanced anti-theft systems play a key role in combating this threat.
Be proactive about ensuring the security of your keys to avoid being cloned. The OBD port has also become a focus for thieves. Then they take advantage of its vulnerabilities to steal cars. Securing the OBD port is important, but even if a GPS tracker detects unauthorized access, e.g. By becoming educated about OBD port security, you can better protect your vehicle from theft.
This technique prevents communication between key fobs and vehicles, making them vulnerable. Utilizing GPS trackers that are jamming resistant can help prevent this risk. Staying alert to your surroundings when using remote key systems is critical to staying secure.
These attacks allow thieves to unlock and start vehicles remotely. With the advent of smart keys, this has become a more popular technique. GPS trackers to help combat relay attacks Investing in extra security for smart keys is a smart investment.
Education on these tactics is key to stopping them. GPS tracking is an invaluable tool for combating these theft techniques, providing real-time tracking and recovery to help you beat them to the punch. Being aware of changing theft methods will help equip you to keep your vehicle safe.
Key cloning
Key cloning is a high-tech technique that enables thieves to make copies of car keys. With the new technology, thieves can also duplicate your keys very quickly and conveniently by using electronic equipment. This reinforces the need for all drivers to use advanced anti-theft systems.
These systems can make cloning attempts unsuccessful by providing secure high-end technology. Keeping alert to important security is just good practice — it involves consistently inspecting for marring or indications of unauthorized entry.
In so doing, you can help ensure you’re protected against cloning attacks.
Radio Frequency Jamming
Radio frequency jamming is one of the most common techniques thieves use to hack key fobs. This is very useful for thieves to get around security measures. The implications of jamming are huge, as it can negate most conventional security countermeasures.
To keep vehicles safe, it’s important to use GPS trackers that are resistant to jamming. There are some signs that you’re being jammed. Being mindful of your surroundings—particularly if you use a remote keyless entry—can help you catch a jamming in the act.
Understanding techniques in which theft commonly occurs is an important step in stopping it.
Smart key relay attacks
Smart key relay attacks are a serious, emerging threat. These types of attacks allow criminals to unlock and start vehicles from a distance with a relay device. This technique is used more frequently by car thieves with the advent of smart key systems.
GPS trackers, which are easy to conceal, are your most potent countermeasure. They provide you 24/7 live tracking and notify you if someone tows or drives away with your car. Other products, like RFID-blocking key pouches, can provide even more security against smart keys being distracted by relay attacks.
Real-life examples of GPS effectiveness
When we advocate for the advancement of GPS tracking devices, we’re not speaking hypothetically. There are real-life examples of people who have successfully had their vehicles returned because of this technology. One example was a family in Texas whose car was stolen from their driveway. They fitted her with a GPS tracker. This gave the police the ability to find the car within a few hours and return it.
A second real-world example comes from a California-based delivery service that had a growing problem with thefts. They began to address this by fully equipping their fleet with GPS devices. As a result, they were able to prevent most thefts and rapidly recover stolen cars.
Statistics support these anecdotes, proving that GPS tracking makes stolen vehicle recoveries more likely. This is borne out by recent statistics indicating that vehicles equipped with GPS trackers have a 95% recovery success rate. In the U.S., this rate is more than 80%. With a GPS tracker on your vehicle, you are doing so much to improve the odds of recovering it quickly and safely. The odds are ever in your favor!
These real-life examples and statistics are an encouraging testament to why it may be worth taking the plunge and investing in this kind of technology. Having the knowledge that others have successfully recovered their vehicles can inspire confidence and take action.
The peace of mind you’ll receive from knowing your vehicle can be tracked quickly and accurately is worth its weight in gold.
