CHARLOTTE, N.C. — By now we've all heard of the "Kia Challenge," the social media trend that sparked a huge spike in car thefts across the country and in Charlotte. But did you know that criminals can actually stand outside your house and duplicate your key fob to steal your car?
The Pineville Police Department posted a warning about this trend on Facebook and it got many people wondering how it works and if it could happen to anyone.
A warning from Pineville Police Department was posted on their Facebook page that if you have a car key fob, criminals could stand outside your home, duplicate your car key fob, and steal it.
THE QUESTION
Can criminals remotely make duplicates of your key fob?
THE ANSWER
Yes, criminals can make duplicates of your key fob from outside your home.
OUR SOURCES
WHAT WE FOUND
According to AAA, the radio frequency signal emitted by key fobs can be spoofed to unlock doors, turn engines on or off and even steal a vehicle. Frisk said this has happened in Charlotte, even when the criminals don't have the owner's fob in their hands.
"They're able to send a signal from your key fob to another key fob if they can get close enough," he explained.
AAA says the best way to prevent this from happening is to carry your keys in a "Faraday pouch," which is a bag that blocks both income and outgoing radio signals. These bags use similar technology as RFID wallets, which keep your credit and debit cards safe from criminals.
"It would protect from someone being able to clone your key fob if it's in your pocket, pocketbook, on your person or inside your house," Frisk said.
Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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