Keyless car theft concern with fake Faraday pouches being sold

Imitation Faraday pouches are flooding the market leaving drivers, who believe they are getting a bargain, still vulnerable to keyless car theft.

Most modern cars today feature keyless car entry, but thieves are using technology to intercept the electronic signals between the car and its fob when it is stored within range of the car.

Known as keyless car theft or a ‘relay attack’, it can can be completed in less than 60 seconds.

More than nine out of 10 stolen vehicles (94%) recovered by Tracker in 2023 were stolen this way. 

A Faraday pouch protects against this type of theft as it features internal metal layers that block the electromagnetic fields emitted from the fob stored in the pouch and the car itself.

However, tests have found that effectiveness varies significantly between pouches available.

“Unfortunately, it’s not just organised vehicle thieves benefitting from the increase in keyless vehicle thefts,” explained Clive Wain, head of police liaison at Tracker.

“Entrepreneurial individuals are also cashing in by selling fake or inadequate pouches, cases and bags to motorists who are trying to guard against falling victim to car theft.

“While a good quality pouch will provide reliable protection against the Relay Attack devices thieves use to extend the signal between a fob and the car, poor imitations are proving to offer little more than peace of mind.”

Tracker advises drivers to test its efficiency by taking the pouch – with the fob inside – close to the car to see if the car picks up the signal and unlocks as it usually would.

Drivers could also check if a mobile signal penetrates the bag, if it is large enough to fit a phone inside the sealed pouch. 

Effective alternatives to a Faraday pouch include a metal tin such as a biscuit barrel or a fridge.

Wain, however, urges users to exercise caution when using metal storage to protect keys. “Drivers should not rely solely on a car fob protection device,” he said.

“If nothing else, it is easy for anyone to forget to place the key fob and spare inside or to leave the pouch or container open. It doesn’t matter if you buy the best Faraday bag available if you don’t use it correctly every time.

“Without additional layers of protection in place, the car remains vulnerable. Utilising multiple security measures will slow criminals down and deter them as it makes them suspicious to passers-by or more identifiable on doorbell or security camera footage.”