Four Parking Lot Habits That Can Help Protect Your Vehicle
Taking a few preventative measures can keep your car more secure.
By Lydia Dumyn | Illustrations by Mike Ellis
We all have a routine when we park: we find a spot, lock the doors and head off without much thought. Police services across Canada have recently warned drivers about distraction-based thefts in parking lots, where thieves are making greater use of technology to intercept key fob signals. The good news? Simple habits can help reduce the risk.
➊ Choose your parking spot carefully
One of the easiest auto theft prevention tips is to park in well-lit, high-traffic areas. These offer greater visibility and fewer opportunities for suspicious activity. It can be tempting to park in a quiet corner to avoid door dings, but isolation also provides more privacy for individuals looking to target vehicles.
➋ Pause before engaging with strangers
Be alert for unusual or overly persistent requests for help, offers of gifts or attempts to keep you standing near your vehicle. Similarly, be cautious of requests that require you to move closer to another person or their vehicle. “The thief could be asking for directions… in close proximity to the driver,” says Elliott Silverstein, director of government relations at CAA Club Group. “While the driver innocently engages, the thief could have a device that has been used to clone information from the key fob without the driver even knowing.” All too often, the signal captured from the fob is enough for the thief to drive away with the vehicle before the owner returns. Maintaining distance can give you more time to assess and react. If something feels suspicious, trust your instincts and step away.
“For auto theft prevention, think beyond a single security measure. Awareness is still one of your best tools.”
➌ Store your key fob in an RFID-blocking or Faraday pouch
Many of the auto theft tactics reported by police involve technology designed to exploit key fob signals. After exiting your vehicle, lock it immediately and take a second to verify that it is locked. “It’s important for drivers to know their surroundings and use an RFID-blocking or Faraday pouch to store their keys and block the fob’s signal,” says Silverstein. Keep your key fob on you, rather than in a shopping cart, unattended purse or other exposed location. If you ever notice a “Vehicle Key Missing” warning or another unusual key-related message, pay attention and ensure everything is functioning normally.
➍ Add layers of protection
Drivers often ask, “Does a steering wheel lock prevent auto theft?” Silverstein says visible auto theft prevention devices, such as steering wheel locks (such as the Club) and aftermarket immobilizers, can help deter thieves. Many drivers are also exploring other solutions, including vehicle tracking systems and recovery technologies, should a theft occur. It’s equally important to protect your personal information. Consider clearing any known addresses from your GPS and avoid leaving documents containing your name, address or identifying details in your vehicle, particularly when parking for an extended period. For auto theft prevention, think beyond a single security measure. Awareness is still one of your best tools. Staying alert and taking proactive steps to reduce vulnerability, like parking in well-lit high-traffic areas, avoiding unsolicited interactions and securing your key fob, can help you start — and finish — every trip with confidence. If something feels suspicious or staged, trust your instincts, disengage and move to a safer area. Even better, report suspicious behaviour, vehicles or distraction attempts to local police immediately, particularly if individuals appear to be targeting multiple vehicles or drivers. CAA
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