Vehicle locking / alarm scam

JerryMungo

JerryMungo

Honorary Master
Joined
Jul 18, 2008
Messages
37,756
Reaction score
6,436
From here (Page 6):
On 03 February 2011 I exited my vehicle at Medi-Clinic Windhoek and walked at a fast pace to admissions while at the same time activating the vehicle locking system. I, at the same time noticed an individual sitting on the sidewalk of the parking lot but was not suspicious of him because he was well dressed and he greeted me in a friendly tone.

On my return some 15 minutes later I discovered that my lap-top was missing from my vehicle and that the vehicle was unlocked with no damage to the windows. At first I was totally perplexed about the event but then saw another person who complained of the very same thing. He said that he did indeed lock his vehicle but that he had heard that thieves sometimes use a remote control to “jam” the vehicle locking system and the unsuspecting driver then leaves, believing the vehicle to be locked. I found this extremely difficult to believe and did not report the incident to the police because even I could not believe it. In any event phoned my insurance company to explain what had happened and to inform them that I would not be claiming because I could not explain the events. I then proceeded to replace my lap-top 3g device and lap-top bag at my own cost on 7 February 2011.

Then on 22 February 2011 I had occasion to visit Medi-Clinic again and witnessed a similar episode. The gentleman involved then proceeded to show me that if my home gate control remote button was pressed and held in, the vehicle alarm remote would not work. He also used his own home gate control remote and my vehicle alarm locking system would not engage. Once at home I tried the same with my wife’s motor vehicle (Merc A Class) and sure enough the alarm locking system would not engage.

On the morning of 23 February 2011 I advised all staff working on our premises and I proceeded to check all vehicles parked on the premises. None of these vehicles alarm locking systems worked at the same time I pressed and held in my home gate remote. It would appear that the remote used for opening the gate is a BLUE (housing) one, two, three, four or six button remote AND this type of remote also “jams” the vehicle alarm locking system of various vehicles. It is not a special remote but any normal residence remote.

I also tried my work address gate remote, BLACK (housing) three button remote which had no effect on the vehicle alarm locking system. I then contacted the insurance company and arranged to meet with an official and showed him in person what could happen. He also used his own gate remote and saw the same effect – my vehicle alarm locking system did not activate. You can image his surprise.

EVERYONE, be aware that this could happen to you! This is not a crank mail that is why I have provided my name and contact details. A simple test by yourself can save you much trouble…

Take your gate or garage remote and keep the button pressed in while at the same time try to activate your vehicle alarm locking remote. (I believe that remotes with a BLUE housing, work most effectively and it also appears that this specific type of remote is most commonly used for garage doors and motor operated gates).

Hope this info helps all of you avoid an incident in future.
Click to expand...
 
I always listen for the sound of the car locking, or check the lights flash. Never trust the remote to just work...
 
ake your gate or garage remote and keep the button pressed in while at the same time try to activate your vehicle alarm locking remote. (I believe that remotes with a BLUE housing, work most effectively and it also appears that this specific type of remote is most commonly used for garage doors and motor operated gates).
Click to expand...

I've tried this a while ago and it's true, it will jam your vehicle's lock signal
 
The blue housing remotes (3 units) for my "DC Blue" overhead garage door motors do not have this problem.
 
Hardly new, people have been warning about this sort of thing of years. Some croocks also have recorded the sound of cars locking and play that back, so always check that the indicators flash.

This is not a crank mail ..
Click to expand...

Lol what's a crank mail, one you use to start antique mailboxes with?
 
Just learn to verify that your car has in fact locked. Besides the risk of crooks with garage remotes, what if the remote's battery has run down and starts working intermittently?
 
Well, my doors lock, indicators flash AND the alarm beeps, so yeah, if I don't hear all three, I check again. I have always done this, regardless of any well-dressed, well-spoken, characters that may be hanging around.

This scam is nothing new.

B
 
Wheres my tinfoil hat now. If this where true then not a single one of us could leave the flat in the morning with the others opening the gate. Adds another layer of tin foil.

The only issue we have experienced with our Atos 2 mysteriously being unlocked when returning to the car even though we heard the bark, was caused by a flat battery - having an automatic can drain your battery. I measured the AMPS dip on the battery that the alarm & central locking chow when activated and it was quiet a lot.
 
Who doesn't at least check the indicator lights? If you don't, whatever happens is your fault.
 
cbrunsdonza said:
Wheres my tinfoil hat now. If this where true then not a single one of us could leave the flat in the morning with the others opening the gate. Adds another layer of tin foil.

The only issue we have experienced with our Atos 2 mysteriously being unlocked when returning to the car even though we heard the bark, was caused by a flat battery - having an automatic can drain your battery. I measured the AMPS dip on the battery that the alarm & central locking chow when activated and it was quiet a lot.
Click to expand...

I've reverted to manual the two times my battery went flat (once a dud battery and another time my fault), but at least the doors stayed locked.

Quantum Theory said:
Who doesn't at least check the indicator lights? If you don't, whatever happens is your fault.
Click to expand...

My previous car had no alarm or central locking, when I got my current one which does have that, I automatically started checking the indicators (besides listening for the sound of the central-locking and alarm sound). If a door or the boot is not closed properly, you will hear the central locking unlock again, although the alarm stays armed, which I like.

B
 
cbrunsdonza said:
Wheres my tinfoil hat now. If this where true then not a single one of us could leave the flat in the morning with the others opening the gate. Adds another layer of tin foil.
Click to expand...

This doesn't happen with all models, but I tested it with mine and the gate remote certainly did prevent the car's remote from locking the car.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X