Film depictions and urban legends of sophisticated car thieves using scanning devices to identify unlocking and ignition codes are widespread, but noted car experts Tom and Ray Magliozzi – in their syndicated column – recently stated that this is not a common technique among criminals.
In the column, the Magliozzi brothers say that, in the 1980s, remote key fobs used to lock and unlock cars were set to a specific frequency, which would have made them vulnerable to thieves with the right type of scanning equipment. However, they say, modern key fobs use rotating frequencies and unique codes to make sure that this is much more difficult. It is possible, they say, but it would require much more sophisticated equipment than is commonly available to the casual car thief.
Ray writes "most people who break into your car to steal something off the seat are opportunists, not master planners. These guys go looking for a car that's been left open, or they'll see a computer on a seat and break a window to grab it."
The brothers also reiterated the common-sense advice that most car experts offer to motorists looking to avoid theft and keep their car insurance rates low: Make sure valuables are kept well out of sight, park in well-lit, well-traveled areas, and remember to lock the car.
Others say that there are technological devices that can be used to deter or catch thieves, including various types of car alarm and many kinds of remote tracker – frequently based on GPS technology – that can report a stolen vehicle's location to law enforcement.