The trick
A smart key constantly broadcasts a short-range signal. In a relay attack, one thief stands near your house to pick up the signal and another stands by your car with a device that relays it, so the car thinks the key is nearby.
Easy defenses
Keep keys in a signal-blocking pouch or box at home. Park inside a garage when you can. Use a steering-wheel lock if you wish. Turn off keyless features if your car lets you.
Aftermarket layers
A starter interrupt or hidden kill switch stops the engine even if the car is unlocked and started. GPS tracking helps with recovery.
A simple home routine
Put your keys in a pouch or a metal box when you walk in. Keep the spare in one too. Park in the garage if you can. If your car has a setting to turn off keyless entry when the fob is idle, learn how it works.
Quick answers
Does a signal pouch work?
A good pouch blocks the signal. Test it by trying to open the car with the key inside.
Does an alarm help here?
A starter kill helps more than an alarm for this kind of theft.
