Mzansi is home to a lot of things: the Gatsby, Bobotie, and high hijacking numbers. According to the 2023 - 2024 third quarter reports (October 2023 - December 2023), there were a total of 5,937 carjackings in the last three months of 2023. This adds up to about 65 vehicles being stolen every day. These numbers are so incredibly high that you can’t help but ask, "Why?" Let’s find out why vehicles are stolen so often.
Why are vehicles stolen in South Africa?
You might think vehicles are stolen just to be resold on the black market, but this isn’t the case. The vehicle theft market is a lucrative business for criminals, and this is because a stolen vehicle can be used for multiple reasons. These include:
Car parts:
Most times, vehicles are not stolen to resell them. They can be stolen and stripped of their parts. Car parts are in high demand, and depending on the vehicle or part, the sale can be a quick source of a large amount of money. The most in-demand parts include:
The more in-demand a vehicle is, the easier it is for criminals to get it off their hands. The longer a stolen vehicle is in a criminal's possession, the higher the chances of them getting caught. Criminals know this and will target high-demand vehicles because they know it is a guaranteed sale.
Getaway vehicles for other crimes:
Sometimes, a vehicle’s relationship with a criminal doesn’t come to an end as quickly. Some criminals will target high-speed vehicles to use as getaway vehicles for other crimes. Talk about putting a new spin on recycling, right?
Cross-border theft and sales:
On the 23rd of April, it was reported that since January,over 50 vehicles had been stolen in South Africa and smuggled into Mozambiqueacross the border. Most times, it’s easier to sell a stolen vehicle in a foreign country. Also, when vehicles are smuggled, it’s usually a cover for other crimes such as drug trafficking, money laundering, or storing bombs.
This shows how a stolen vehicle serves more than one purpose, making it an in-demand choice for criminals looking to make a quick buck. But what are the most common ways for them to get their hands on your vehicle?
What are the most common methods for vehicle theft?
When it comes to stealing your vehicle, thieves have a bunch of methods up their sleeve. Let’s go through five of the most popular ones at the moment.
Keyless car theft:
Remember the days when you would insert your key into your car door to get it unlocked? That’s now a thing of the past; with keyless entry, you can open your vehicle with a key fob or card. This sounds like quite the convenience for you, right? But it’s just as much of a convenience for cybercriminals. See, we live in the digital age, where a little hacking here and there can give you full access to a system. This applies to keyless entry cars. Last year, it was estimated that up to five or six keyless cars were being stolen daily.
Vehicles nowadays are computers on wheels, and when solutions go high-tech, thieves go even higher with their tactics. Sometimes, just gaining access to your vehicle isn’t enough; thieves want to have full on-demand access. It sounds like we’re selling you a streaming service, right? Well, this isn’t an episode of Shark Tank; we’re filling you in on how thieves can clone your keys.
Your key emits a signal that either locks, unlocks, or starts your vehicle’s engine. By using special key cloning devices, thieves can save these radio signals. This creates a copy of your key in just a few seconds, which they can use to their heart's content.
Blue Light Theft:
Seeing those flashing blue lights on a police car can make you hit the brakes faster than a debit order hitting your account on the 25th. But sometimes, you should be wary of stopping. Criminals are now committing what we call blue-light robberies. They will dress up as fake policemen, and when you stop (as any law-abiding citizen should), they rob you and take off with your vehicle.
Driveway hijackings:
Just last year, Crime SA reported that about 60 hijackings were being reported daily, which is crazy considering thatin 2019, this number was at 45. The majority of these happened in driveways. To put this into perspective,driveway hijacking made up over 70% of all these hijackings. This is a wild number, especially since your home should be the one place that is safe for your vehicle. With these hijackings, a target is rarely a spur-of-the-moment choice. Hijackers will study your movements to figure out your schedule and see how long it takes for you to open your gate, park your vehicle, and close the gate. So you must stay vigilant at all times, even in the comfort of your home.
The “tap tap” trap:
Hijackers understand that they’re in a country where road rage is just as common as load shedding. This is why they use the “tap tap” trap. When hijackers make you their target, they will drive behind you and bump into your vehicle. Yes, you read right. They will bump into your vehicle, so you can get out, and what seems like them asking to exchange insurance details is actually a well-thought-out scheme to steal your vehicle. It is also reported that hijackers will use a lady as a decoy driver, which gives their target a false sense of safety.
Whether you own a classic vehicle that still needs a key or you have a push-to-start vehicle that doesn’t need a key, thieves can still find a way to get into your vehicle. With all these tactics, what steps can you take to keep your vehicle safe?
What can you do to keep your vehicle from being stolen?
Vehicle theft is a harsh reality, but that doesn’t mean you should patiently wait for it to impact you. Here are a few steps you can implement to make sure your vehicle stays safe and in your possession:
Keep your doors locked:
This sounds straightforward, right? But listen, we have an explanation. Whether you’re a soccer mom, a work-from-home queen, or a student, we’re always on the move. So it is perfectly normal that you’ll think you locked your vehicle when you actually didn’t. So take those extra 5 seconds to double-check that your door handles aren’t opening up before you leave your vehicle.
Be careful where you park:
Stop eyeing that secluded parking spot and go for a visible spot. Sure, going incognito is fun and all, but this could cost you your vehicle. Hijackers love going for vehicles that are in places where they won’t be seen breaking into them, so make sure your vehicle is visible in a well-lit place with surveillance cameras (remember, hijackers don’t want to be caught in 4K).
Switch your routine up:
We know you love taking that road on the other side of town to admire the scenery. But hijackers know this, too. Hijackers study their targets, whether the route you take or getting your morning coffee fix from your local garage. So, change your routine every now and then to throw them off track and make yourself a difficult target for them.
Install a tracking device:
No one wants to consider the worst-case scenario, but unfortunately it’s a possibility. In the unfortunate event that your vehicle is stolen, you want to get it back home as soon as possible, and a tracking device is your one-way ticket there. Powered by GPS technology, a tracking device gives you detailed information on your vehicle’s location, which can increase your chances of recovery.
These all sound like simple tips to implement, but in South Africa, it’s not enough. You need to give your vehicle an extra layer of protection that does more than just locate it. If you’re ready to unlock "more," then stick around, because we’re about to tell you how Cartrack is the solution to getting more from your vehicle tracker.
Don’t become a statistic: Choose Cartrack’s tracking and recovery solutions
If you’re ready to give your vehicle access to ultimate safety and protection, then Cartrack is the answer to all your needs. We give you access to a wide range of services aimed at keeping your vehicle safe. These include:
Real-time GPS tracking:
Whether you’re popping inside a coffee shop or pulling an all-nighter at the library, you need to always know where your vehicle is.Open the door to real-time vehicle location updates with Cartrack’s GPS tracking. Our technology is accurate and convenient, available through the simple tap of a cell phone. In the unfortunate event that your vehicle is stolen, this is what we use to help us recover it.
Car guards are everywhere, but how many are actually paying special attention to your vehicle? Give your vehicle its own personal and virtual car guard with CarWatch. The moment this next-level feature is activated on your Cartrack app, you get access to early detection of all unauthorised movements. So whether your ignition is turned on or if there’s any movement you haven’t approved of, our 24-hour control room receives an instant alert. This helps us contact you to figure out if your vehicle is being stolen and if we need to dispatch a recovery team.
Why should you trust Cartrack? The proof is in the numbers
In a country with vehicle theft numbers that are as high as South Africa’s, you need a solution that stands out. When it comes to stolen vehicle recovery, Cartrack is truly in a league of its own. Just last year, we recovered over 17,000 vehicles, and with our above 90% stolen vehicle recovery rate, we’re all about that action.
Press the brakes on vehicle theft with Cartrack’s solutions
Cartrack is a global leader when it comes to vehicle tracking, so why wouldn’t you trust us with the safety of your vehicle?
Contact us today and unlock a new level of safety for your vehicle.
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