“Key cloner” car thefts are on the rise in Southern California, according to one local law enforcement agency.
The Burbank Police Department issued a press release early Tuesday afternoon warning SoCal residents of the trend, which primarily affects newer vehicles that can be started without a key.
“Most newer vehicles sold today are enabled with keyless or remote ignition,” Burbank police said. “The owner of the vehicle simply needs to have their key fob close to unlock and start their vehicle.”
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The added convenience of being able to start a vehicle without actually being in it is complicated by new advancements in technology being employed by thieves to steal newer cars, according to authorities. Thieves typically take advantage of keyless entry systems by using an aftermarket device – normally about the size of a cell phone or small tablet – to remotely scan for a key fob signal and quickly create a cloned key…