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<b>NO TEMPATION, NO BREAK-IN:</b> SA thieves are resorting to jamming your car’s remote. Don’t give them the temptation to break in by flashing your valuables. <i>Image: SHUTTTERSTOCK</i>
The holiday season is risky as criminals capitalise on us letting down our guard. Now they're perfecting car-jamming, - find out how to protect your valuables.
Be aware of car remote-jamming. Criminals can block a vehicle’s remote-locking signal by using a device that operates on the same frequency.
IN A JAM
Alexander Forbes Insurance MD Gari Dombo warns: “The signal from an electronic gate controller could interfere with your remote vehicle locking system if used nearby at the same time.”
Manufacturers of vehicle and gate remotes use a fixed frequency of 433MHz. If two remotes operating on the same frequency are activated simultaneously and within range of each other, the signals can interfere with each other. If your remote is being jammed, your vehicle might not lock properly.
So, take these four simple precautions:
• Don’t walk away from your car unless you have heard/seen it lock.
• Physically check that your doors and boot are locked.
• Lock away all your valuables so that they are not visible..
• Visible security measures such as gear-lever or steering-wheel lock may deter thieves.
Another factor to consider is your insurance – most policies will not cover property stolen from your vehicle if there was notbeen forced entry. Other policies only cover property that was locked in the boot.
Wheels24 suggestion: Remove any valuables from cubbies in your car and then leave the lids or drop-down doors wide open if you are parking at, say, an airport. No temptation, no break-in... no tears.
Be aware of car remote-jamming. Criminals can block a vehicle’s remote-locking signal by using a device that operates on the same frequency.
IN A JAM
Alexander Forbes Insurance MD Gari Dombo warns: “The signal from an electronic gate controller could interfere with your remote vehicle locking system if used nearby at the same time.”
Manufacturers of vehicle and gate remotes use a fixed frequency of 433MHz. If two remotes operating on the same frequency are activated simultaneously and within range of each other, the signals can interfere with each other. If your remote is being jammed, your vehicle might not lock properly.
So, take these four simple precautions:
• Don’t walk away from your car unless you have heard/seen it lock.
• Physically check that your doors and boot are locked.
• Lock away all your valuables so that they are not visible..
• Visible security measures such as gear-lever or steering-wheel lock may deter thieves.
Another factor to consider is your insurance – most policies will not cover property stolen from your vehicle if there was notbeen forced entry. Other policies only cover property that was locked in the boot.
Wheels24 suggestion: Remove any valuables from cubbies in your car and then leave the lids or drop-down doors wide open if you are parking at, say, an airport. No temptation, no break-in... no tears.
