Philadelphia police recruits are fanning out across the city to knock on doors and let residents know how they can protect their cars, amid a rise in high-tech thefts.
Criminals are increasingly using devices to connect to a vehicle’s computer system and create a new key fob, law enforcement officials said. PPD leaders launched a campaign Thursday to raise awareness about methods designed to prevent the tactic.
Newer cars with push button starts are particularly vulnerable. It happens all over the city, though Northeast Philadelphia is viewed as a hot spot, Police Lieutenant Brian Geer, of the Major Crimes Unit, told reporters during a briefing at the department’s tow squad headquarters in Feltonville.
“With the key fob programming, I've seen them steal a car in under two minutes,” he added.
Geer recommends drivers look into on-board diagnostics, or OBD, locks, which block the port thieves use to alter the key fob. The OBD system is used for a variety of purposes, including by mechanics and locksmiths when a vehicle owner loses their key.
Though it has not been a major concern yet in Philadelphia, police are also concerned that criminals may soon turn to gadgets used to remotely steal RFID signals between the fob and a person’s car.
Faraday boxes and bags can block those signals and may have additional uses protecting phones and credit cards, Geer said.
In the event their car is stolen, residents may want to consider installing a GPS tracker, such as an Apple AirTag, to help authorities locate it, he added.
A more traditional security tool – the Club or other steering wheel locks – has also proven effective as a physical and visual deterrent, according to law enforcement.
Last year, the PPD began distributing free wheel locks to owners of 2012-2022 Kia and Hyundai vehicles, following a significant spike in thefts related to a social media trend that showed how the cars could be stolen without a key. The companies paid for the locks and have rolled out software updates, which can be obtained at dealerships.
Though the rash of Kia and Hyundai thefts appears to have waned, Geer said authorities continue to encourage owners to use the wheel lock.
Aside from purchasing security devices, drivers are being advised to always lock their cars; park in well-lit areas; never leave their vehicle running unattended; and keep key fobs away from the front door of their home.
More than 24,000 cars were stolen in Philadelphia in 2023, according to the PPD. That dropped to 14,000 last year, though thefts are up about 3.5% in 2025 – one of the few crime categories experiencing an increase – police data indicates.
Most break-ins occur between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. and involve broken windows, sun roofs or door handles, law enforcement officials said.
Carjackings, which surged in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, have since plummeted, Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore noted.
“We really attacked that problem with our federal partners,” he said. “We formed a task force. A lot of arrests were made, and we really were able to eradicate that problem over those years. That problem trended into the theft of these vehicles.”
In addition to the door-to-door outreach, which began Nov. 6, the PPD’s “Together, We Can Prevent Auto Theft” campaign will include community workshops, giveaways and social media messaging, department representatives added.
“We realize the car is one of the most valuable things some people have,” Vanore said. “They need it for work. They need it for emergencies. We don't want to see that stolen.”
