Here's a privacy problem that isn't about phones at all, but catches thousands of people a year: keyless car theft. The good news is it's genuinely easy to understand, and the fix costs about the same as a takeaway. No scare stories needed, just the facts and a cheap solution.
How “relay theft” actually works
If your car unlocks when the key is just near it, it's constantly listening for your fob. Thieves exploit that with two cheap relay devices: one person stands near your house to pick up the faint signal from your key (often sitting on a hall table or hook by the door) and relays it to an accomplice stood by the car. The car thinks the key is present, unlocks, and starts. Your keys never move. The car's gone in under a minute, in near silence.
Why it's so common now
It's mainstream crime, not a niche worry. Keyless entry is standard on most modern cars, the kit is cheap and easy to get, and it's quick and quiet to pull off. Vans and popular models are particular targets. If your car has keyless entry, you're in scope.
Free things you can do tonight
We'll always tell you the no-cost options first:
- Move your keys away from the front of the house. Keep them well inside, away from doors, windows and the driveway wall. The harder the signal is to reach, the harder it is to relay.
- Check if your fob has a sleep mode. Some keys can be set to stop transmitting when still, so it's worth a look in the manual.
- The old-fashioned backups still work: a steering lock is a visible deterrent, and a tray made of metal can help dampen the signal.
The £15 fix: a Faraday pouch
The simplest, most reliable answer is a Faraday pouch: a small lined pouch that blocks the signal entirely. Drop your keys in when you're home, and there's simply nothing for a thief to relay. No batteries, no app, no faff. It either works or your keys don't unlock the car through it. It's easy to test, and they do work.
You can buy one anywhere, and we don't sell them: marking up a simple product into a panic purchase isn't our idea of a business. We just say which to get on our everyday kit page, where the cheap one that won a magazine test is the one we point at. Buy any decent pouch you like. The point is that you're protected.
Wondering which of the other signal-blocking gadgets are worth it? Our guide to gadgets that physically block tracking sorts the useful few from the gimmicks.
The honest bottom line
Keyless theft is real and common, but it's also one of the cheapest risks to shut down. Move your keys, consider a steering lock, and pop the fob in a Faraday pouch. That's it. No subscription, no gadget, no fear required.