CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Whistleblower 9 investigation has uncovered a new method that thieves are using to unlock car doors and steal from unsuspecting vehicle owners.
Experts who have seen the video say there's a high-tech key to the crime homemade key fob that tricks your car into unlocking.
Criminals are building the devices with electronic parts bought online for about $30.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau said the high-tech heist is happening all over the country, including in the Carolinas.
"It's a device that's being used to pop open these locks by reading the fob signal that communicates between your key fob and the vehicle itself," said special agent Dave Renaud.
There have been 146 reports of vehicle break-ins and thefts in Charlotte alone over the last month.
Experts can't say how many of the break-ins used the new technology, but they're certain that it's happening.
Many victims mistakenly believe that they left their vehicles unlocked, because there's no sign of forced entry.
Whistleblower 9 interviewed a nationally known computer hacker who demonstrated the homemade key fob technology.
Sami Kamkar coded software in his computer lab and programmed a circuit board with a radio antenna.
"I am looking for the signal that the key fob sends to the vehicle," Kamkar said.
He intercepted the key fob's signal and was able to quickly unlock the doors on a minivan.
"Virtually every vehicle is vulnerable to the same type of attacks," Kamkar said.
Several different methods are being used across the country to duplicate key fob unlock signals.
Investigators said some criminals are literally walking neighborhoods and city streets searching for key fob signals from inside homes. The technology amplifies the radio signal coming from your key fob, even if it's on your kitchen counter, and tricks your car into unlocking.
Charlotte police said they're staying vigilant.
"Obviously we know that the technology is out there. It's our job to detect it and try to stay a step ahead of them if we can," said Officer John Frisk, who heads up CMPD's crime prevention program.
Police are encouraging residents to report any suspicious activity around parked cars and they suggest not leaving anything valuable inside vehicles.
"If someone doesn't see anything in your car, naturally they're going to move on to the next location and look into another car," Frisk said.
Car manufacturers are developing stronger key fob security that they say will stop hackers from breaking in, but that technology could take years to fully implement.
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