Elon Musk: “If You See This On Your Car, Run Fast And Ask For Help!” | HO

With over a million car thefts happening each year since 2022, this crime has been a constant threat to American motorists. The numbers have been increasing each year with an unexpected surge among EVs in 2024.

This was so unusual that Elon Musk, a leading pioneer in the EV industry, had to give a public statement to warn people about specific tracking devices used for stealing cars before advising on what to do if they happen to find one on their vehicle. What are these devices, and how have they managed to bypass advanced security systems?

In recent years, car theft has been on the rise, and it’s not just your regular thieves breaking into vehicles anymore. In fact, there’s a new trend, particularly in California, involving car thieves using high-tech devices and sophisticated methods to steal cars. This disturbing increase in car thefts has caused significant concern, especially with the rise in electric vehicles (EVs), which are thought to be much safer due to their advanced security systems.

However, even these state-of-the-art vehicles have become prime targets for criminals using magnets and GPS trackers to bypass their security systems. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and a leading innovator in the EV industry, recently issued a warning to car owners about these devices, and what to do if you notice anything suspicious on your car.

Car theft is not a new phenomenon; however, the methods used have evolved dramatically over the years. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the United States, a vehicle is stolen every 30 seconds, amounting to at least 700,000 cars stolen every year. With technological advancements, these criminals have become smarter, using high-tech tools to commit these crimes.

However, the rise of electric vehicles, which are considered much harder to steal due to their advanced security features, has led to a new wave of car thefts.

One of the primary devices used by car thieves is a small, magnet GPS tracker. This device allows criminals to track the movements of a car for several days or even weeks, allowing them to understand the owner’s routine and when the best time to steal the vehicle would be. Thieves typically attach these devices to the underside of the car using magnets, which can easily remain undetected, especially if the vehicle is parked in a private driveway or garage without proper lighting or surveillance.

Once the thieves have tracked the vehicle and gathered enough information about the owner’s habits, they move to the next phase. This phase involves attaching a thin, strong thread to the vehicle, which they later use to manipulate the garage door opener and gain access to the garage. The garage door is lifted enough to let the car out without disturbing the thief’s movements, and the car is driven out quietly.

Once inside the garage, the thieves need to bypass the car’s security systems. For traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, this can be done by using a tool known as a “turbo decoder,” which can easily break into cars with simple key mechanisms.

However, modern electric cars are much harder to break into, which is where the GPS tracker comes in. The hacker uses the device to access the car’s unique VIN number and one-time passcode, which helps them bypass the car’s more advanced security systems.

With this information, the hacker can connect a laptop to the car’s OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) port. This allows them to disable the car’s alarm systems, reset the car’s firmware, and take control of the vehicle—all within a matter of minutes. Once the thief has control of the car, they can simply drive it out of the garage, roll the door down carefully, and drive off without a trace.

EVs were once considered to be immune to traditional theft methods due to their advanced security systems and reliance on software rather than mechanical locks. However, recent cases have shown that even these high-tech vehicles are vulnerable to hacking.

EVs rely heavily on software that can be manipulated through unassigned code, and hackers have demonstrated how they can spoof GPS data to make the car drive to various locations without the owner’s consent.

This kind of exploitation of EVs was showcased publicly by a group of hackers who, using unassigned code, manipulated the location data of a Tesla Model 3.

Despite updates and patches being rolled out by Tesla to strengthen their security, such as features like “Pin to Drive” and “Sentry Mode,” hackers continue to find ways around these advanced systems.

For example, “Pin to Drive” can be bypassed by starting the car with an older version of the mobile app, and “Sentry Mode” can be defeated by simply covering the cameras or walking toward the car in a non-suspicious manner.

Magnets and GPS trackers have been used for many purposes over the years, but they have recently been adapted for illegal activities such as stalking, car theft, and other forms of harassment.

The GPS tracking device itself is small enough to be easily hidden and is capable of transmitting location data for long periods, making it the perfect tool for criminals looking to steal cars.

The widespread availability of affordable GPS trackers, coupled with the ease of obtaining them online, has only exacerbated the problem. What once was a tool for finding lost pets or keeping track of deliveries has turned into a tool for criminals to track vehicles and people without their consent. These devices are often sold online for as little as $20, which makes them accessible to almost anyone.

In addition to car theft, GPS trackers have been misused in a variety of ways. One notable case involved a man who used a GPS tracker to stalk his ex-girlfriend across multiple states.

It wasn’t until the woman’s mechanic discovered the device attached to her car that law enforcement was able to catch the stalker, who was found with weapons and other tools in his possession. Similarly, in other cases, ex-boyfriends or jealous individuals have used trackers to follow their victims without their knowledge.

Apple’s introduction of the AirTag in 2021 raised a new set of concerns. While the AirTag is marketed as a way to help users locate lost items, its small size and ability to be discreetly attached to a car have made it a popular tool for stalkers and thieves.

Even though Apple added a feature that alerts users if an AirTag is following them, these alerts can take up to 2 hours to be sent. This delay is problematic, as thieves can already be long gone by the time the notification reaches the victim.

Elon Musk has publicly warned Tesla owners and other EV drivers about the dangers of GPS trackers and other similar devices. He advised that if drivers notice anything suspicious on their car, such as a magnetic GPS tracker, they should immediately seek help and contact authorities.

While manufacturers like Tesla have worked hard to improve security systems, the increasing sophistication of these theft techniques means that the problem will likely continue to grow.

Despite the advancements in car security, there is still no foolproof solution to prevent car theft, especially as thieves continue to innovate. Musk’s warning to car owners to stay vigilant is one of the few things that can help in such cases.

Regularly checking your car for any suspicious devices and installing additional security measures, such as cameras or motion sensors, can also deter thieves from attempting to steal your vehicle.

In the end, while car manufacturers continue to improve their security systems, it is essential for car owners to remain aware of the growing threats posed by new technologies.

The fight against car theft has become an arms race between criminals and security experts, and it remains to be seen whether a lasting solution will ever be found. For now, the best advice is to stay vigilant and always be cautious if you notice anything out of the ordinary with your vehicle.