Car Hijacking vs Car Theft: Comparing Risks and Safety Solutions
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Vehicle owners face various threats on the road, including the risk of car theft and hijacking. While both crimes result in the loss of a vehicle, they differ drastically in how they happen and the dangers they pose to victims.
Hijackings often involve violent confrontations, whereas car theft typically occurs when the vehicle is unattended.
At first glance, car hijacking and car theft may seem similar since both result in vehicle loss. However, there is one key difference that separates the two: human contact.
In car hijacking, the hijacker and the victim will interact; criminals usually use threats and violence to gain access to the vehicle. In a vehicle theft situation, however, there isn’t direct human contact since access is achieved in the vehicle owner’s absence. As a result, hijackings often leave victims with physical injuries and severe emotional trauma, even if they survive the ordeal.
The table below compares the risks of car hijacking and car theft:
Risk
Car Hijacking
Car Theft
Personal Harm
Victims are at direct risk of physical injury or death due to violent confrontations.
Less likely to involve physical harm.
Emotional Trauma
Victims are more likely to experience emotional trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety, from the violent nature of hijacking.
Emotional distress from losing a vehicle, but less traumatic than hijacking.
Financial Loss
Significant financial losses due to vehicle damage, medical costs, and theft of personal items.
Financial loss from the stolen vehicle and personal items, but with less likelihood of physical confrontation.
Increased Car Insurance Premiums
Due to higher risk, especially in high-crime areas, insurance premiums may increase. Insurers assess your location, vehicle, and any security measures you've taken.
Car insurance premiums may increase based on vehicle value and how common car theft is in your area.
Identity Theft
Increased risk of identity theft from access to personal documents and cards during hijacking.
Risk of identity theft from stolen personal items, such as wallets or IDs.
The Latest Trends in Car Hijacking and Theft: What You Need to Know
Criminals are becoming more advanced each day by using sophisticated equipment and techniques to get your car. It is important to know how they think and which methods and equipment they use so you can protect yourself and your vehicle.
To increase their chances of success, criminals often monitor their targets for days or weeks, observing their movements and routines, before executing a hijacking or theft.
Relay attack devices: Criminals use these tools to capture and amplify signals from a key fob, allowing them to exploit keyless entry systems to unlock and start a vehicle without the actual key.
Signal jamming: Criminals use signal jammers to block communication between the key fob and the vehicle, preventing it from locking or unlocking.
Lockpicking: This is a technique where criminals manipulate a vehicle’s locks to gain access without needing the original key.
Cloning key fobs: Criminals copy the unique signal from a key fob to create a duplicate so they can access the vehicle.
Here are some tactics they use to steal and hijack vehicles:
Carwash tactic: Criminals target drivers at car washes, taking advantage of the moment when vehicles are left unattended during cleaning.
Tap-tap tactic: Hijackers gently bump into a vehicle at a stop sign or traffic, prompting the driver to exit and inspect the damage, making them vulnerable to hijacking.
Blue light impersonation: Hijackers may use flashing blue lights to impersonate police vehicles, coercing drivers to pull over in isolated areas.
Open-the-gate-hijacking: Criminals often follow drivers to their homes or other locations, hijacking them while they wait for the gates to open.
Effective Solutions to Prevent Car Theft and Car Hijacking
While hijacking and vehicle theft can never be fully eliminated, investing in preventative solutions significantly enhances vehicle and personal security.
Key Features to Prevent Car Theft and Hijacking
Car Theft:
Immobilisers: Prevents the vehicle from starting without the correct key.
Steering wheel locks: These act as a physical barrier that prevents criminals from turning the steering wheel, which means they won’t be able to drive off.
Alarm systems: When someone tries to gain unauthorised access to the vehicle, the alarm sensors will trigger loud alerts, which can help distract and deter a criminal from stealing the vehicle.
Car Hijacking:
Panic button:A discreet panic button can send alerts to emergency services or your car tracking service provider, enabling them to help you immediately in a car hijacking situation.
How to Respond to a Car Hijacking or Theft Situation
Knowing how to respond when your vehicle is stolen is essential for your safety and can enhance the chances of recovery. Always remember that your life is more precious, so do not try to confront criminals. Instead, follow these steps:
What to Do During and After a Car Hijacking
Comply with the hijackers' demands, hand over your keys, and avoid reaching out for belongings.
Avoid making sudden movements and direct eye contact with the hijackers, as this may aggravate them.
Try to gather information discreetly, such as how many hijackers there are, their outfits, how many firearms and weapons they have, and what language they speak. Also note the direction they drove off to and all your belongings that were left in the car. This information will be provided to the police to help with the investigation.
After they have sped off, immediately call the police and your tracker service provider so they can assist in recovering the vehicle. Most tracking companies, like Cartrack, offer stolen vehicle recovery services to help recover a vehicle if it gets stolen or hijacked.
Imagine you’re at the mall running errands when you suddenly realise that your car is missing. Whether you have a tracking device or not, it is important to act quickly. If you do have a tracking system, you might receive alerts from your mobile, indicating potential tampering with your vehicle. However, even without such alerts, every moment counts in recovering your vehicle.
Here are the steps to take:
Remain calm and avoid confronting the criminals.
Immediately contact your tracking service provider, if you have one.
Report the theft to the police as soon as possible. You will need to visit the police station in the jurisdiction where the theft occurred and provide the necessary documentation.
Check for witnesses or the CCTV footage, which could serve as crucial evidence.
Contact your insurance provider to start the claiming process.
Follow up with your tracking service provider, the police, and your insurer for any updates.
Why Cartrack is Your Best Defense Against Car Hijacking and Theft
At Cartrack, we are committed to protecting you and your vehicle at all times. In January 2025, Cartrack successfully recovered 1,402 vehicles. We worked closely with law enforcement, leading to the arrest of 42 suspects, the recovery of 13 firearms, and the confiscation of 12 jammers. This further highlights our commitment to reducing crime in the country.
We offer a range of products and services to help protect your vehicle from theft and assist you in hijacking situations.
Stolen vehicle recovery: Cartrack is an industry leader in car tracking and stolen vehicle recovery, boasting an audited recovery rate exceeding 90%. We have highly trained recovery response teams all over South Africa and neighbouring countries, which work alongside local police, ensuring that stolen vehicles are recovered quickly.
Power event notification: If your vehicle battery is disconnected, which suggests tampering, you will receive a notification on the Cartrack mobile app. This will encourage a swift response to investigate the alert, which could prevent potential theft or damage.
Panic button: If your Cartrack subscription includes a panic button, press it if possible in the event of a hijacking. This instantly sends a silent alert to Cartrack’s 24/7 control room. An operator will immediately contact your fleet manager or emergency contact to investigate and provide assistance if necessary.
Jamming detection: Cartrack offers signal-jamming detection as a value-added service. In a hijacking situation where a criminal uses a jamming device to block communication between the tracking system and the cellular network, Cartrack can switch to RF frequency, which enables us to continue communicating with the vehicle.
The main benefits are:
GPS allows accuracy down to 3m.
The backup battery unit can power the unit for up to 2 days; therefore, tracking your vehicle for maximum time.
Up to 3 years of battery life expectancy.
CarWatch: This is a value-added feature that acts as a virtual car guard, providing an extra layer of security for your vehicle. Activated via the Cartrack App, it uses the installed telematics device to detect any unauthorised movement. This feature offers peace of mind, especially for vehicles parked in public areas or left unattended for extended periods.
Imagine your vehicle moving unexpectedly while you’re at the mall, which could indicate theft. With CarWatch, you’ll receive instant alerts on the app, notifying you of this action. Our 24-hour control room agents will immediately contact you to investigate, ensuring a swift response and recovery if you confirm that the movement is unauthorised.
Geofencing alerts: On the Cartrack App, you can set up virtual boundaries around specific areas you or your loved ones frequent, such as the local mall. You will receive instant alerts should the vehicle be outside these areas. For example, if your partner borrows your car to run a quick errand at the mall but gets hijacked on the way, you will be notified when the vehicle exits the designated area. This alert lets you quickly assess the situation and contact authorities to investigate and assist.
In closing, while it is impossible to eliminate the risk of hijacking and theft completely, investing in Cartrack’s solutions can help you respond quickly when it happens. Our advanced solutions provide real-time monitoring, recovery services, and other enhanced security features that help safeguard you and your vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cartrack Solutions
Q: Can Cartrack track a motorbike or scooter?
A: Yes, Cartrack offers tracking solutions for motorbikes, scooters, and other vehicle types, ensuring that they are just as protected as cars and trucks.
Q: Can Cartrack track multiple vehicles at once if I own a fleet?
A: Yes, you can track and monitor your entire fleet on Cartrack’s fleet management platform. This way, you have full visibility of your fleet at all times and will be able to receive important alerts to enhance security and overall vehicle efficiency.
Q: What happens if I don’t have a tracking device when my vehicle is stolen or hijacked?
A: Without a tracking device such as the one from Cartrack, the chances of quickly recovering your stolen or hijacked vehicle are significantly reduced. A tracking system provides real-time location data, which allows authorities to act swiftly and increase recovery chances. It's highly recommended to invest in a tracking service for your safety.
Explore the risks of car hijacking vs. theft and discover how Cartrack’s tracking and recovery solutions can protect your vehicle and fleet from these threats.
