Key fob cloning is not new, but it is becoming a bigger problem. Especially in cities like Chicago, Illinois.

A recent report reveals car thieves in the Windy City are increasingly using key fob cloning technology. This follows a trend that has seen this tech used in other Midwestern cities like Cleveland and St. Louis.

In one St. Louis suburb, police spent five months untangling a car theft operation that looked more like a professional export business than a street crime spree. In that case, the thieves focused on high-performance Dodges, especially Challengers and Chargers, known for their resale value and ease of modification.

Key fob cloning is a quick and easy way to steal a car

Now, according to Lt. Adam Broshous of the Illinois Secretary of State Police, key fob cloning is becoming far more common.

“They’re getting one of these key fob programmers, and they’ll break into a vehicle,” he told Fox 32 News. They’ll smash out a window or use a slim jim to unlock it, or whatever method they choose to do that. But once they’re into the vehicle… it only takes a minute or two… [to] plug it into the vehicles and program a new fob.”

Broshous said the devices these car thieves use to program or clone key fobs are now widely available online. Some of these devices can capture the signal from a car owner’s key fob, store it, and later use it to unlock and start the vehicle.

That method is “not as popular in the Chicagoland area… [but] they’re using devices that will capture the signal that is coming from the legitimate fobs that you may have in your pocket, your purse, hanging by the door to your home,” Broshous said. “This electronic device will capture that signal that’s being emitted from those fobs and will then store that and replicate that to be able to open your car, start your car [and drive away].”

How to prevent car thieves from cloning your key fob

In California, the Anaheim Police Department has issued warnings to the public about these high-tech methods thieves are using to steal cars. In many cases, these cars are being stolen right from owners’ driveways.

They suggest turning off the key fob feature that allows remote access to your car and parking in a well-lit area. Storing keys in different places in your home, not the same spot every time, and purchasing or making a Faraday Bag could also deter thieves.

Wrapping your key fob in aluminum foil or storing it inside an empty potato chip bag could also potentially work, but there are better ways to go.

As Lt. Broshous pointed out, while car manufacturers continue to update vehicle security systems, it’s a “cat-and-mouse game.”

“The manufacturers will update and bolster their encryption, their safeguards, their fallbacks in regards to this,” Broshous said. “And almost as quickly, the offenders are picking up on that and circumventing it.”