Be vigilant and don’t fall victim to remote jammers in public places

Anyone who has fallen victim to remote jamming will know that sinking feeling when you open your boot and find nothing there—no laptop, no handbag, no gym shoes. You look around, bewildered. My car was locked.
How did this happen? According to Charnel Hattingh, Fidelity Services Group’s Head of Marketing and Communications, remote jamming
is nothing new, but it remains a prevalent tactic among criminals and is on the rise. Remote jamming occurs when thieves block the
signal from the immobiliser to the car, preventing it from locking even when the owner presses the ‘lock’ button. A remote jammer is any device that deliberately blocks, jams, or interferes with authorised wireless communications. “This well-practised tactic is especially common in public places because motorists continue to be vulnerable to it,” Hattingh explains. She highlights that remote jamming is particularly prevalent in parking areas at shopping malls and petrol stations. The thieves are often so brazen that they do not even leave
the area after targeting a vehicle, continuing to seek out other victims. “These criminals rely on their ability to blend in while people go about their business of parking and shopping, not checking if their cars are locked or observing their surroundings.
While security guards and car guards are on high alert for these criminals, it is effortless for the thieves to approach a car, open it, pop the boot, take what they want, and walk off. They are not breaking into the car; they are not even concerned about the car security devices or vehicle antitheft systems you may have.”
Here are 7 tips to avoid falling victim to remote jammers:
1. Never lock your car and walk away. Check the doors to see if they are in fact locked. If your door opens, get in and drive away. Chances are that the criminals have targeted you.
2. Be aware of your surroundings and of suspicious people loitering around the parking area or sitting in cars.
3. Look around as you drive in and before you park. Follow your gut instinct and report suspicious looking people to security or move
your car to a safer place.
4. Remember that when you open your boot everyone around you can see what’s inside, especially if they are eagerly waiting for this. A boot with a visible laptop or other valuables can make you an instant target.
5. Never leave valuables in plain sight in the car.
6. Always park in the safest location, where there are many other cars and security guards.
7. Think about real-time car GPS tracking for added peace of mind.