Not a day goes by we don’t hear about vehicle thefts in Canada – on the news or someone you know – with 2023 proving to be the worst year on record at more than 115,000 vehicles stolen nationally, totalling a loss of more than $1.5 billion dollars.

Toronto alone saw a 329 per cent increase in vehicle thefts.

While things were better in 2024, the Insurance Bureau of Canada estimates nearly 60,000 car thefts were reported – still a significant number.

High-tech and low-tech solutions can help reduce the risk of your vehicle being lifted from your driveway or a public place.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as they say.

Aside from always locking your vehicle’s doors and windows after entering and exiting it, the following are a handful of simple prevention tips:

 

Use Your Garage (if you’ve got one)

A locked garage creates a physical barrier between your car and the thieves who want it. Ensure you have good lighting in your garage, such as one connected to a motion sensor, which illuminates brightly when you’re walking around the vehicle. Don’t have transparent windows that let thieves look inside the garage (use translucent glass or window treatments).

Speaking of garages, upgrade an old garage door opener to a newer, more secure (“encrypted”) model, which are more difficult to hack. If you have a keypad, make sure you have a more difficult PIN to open the door than 1-2-3-4 or 1-1-1-1.

If you own a less expensive car, as well, park it behind the more valuable one (even on the driveway, behind the pricier vehicle inside the garage).

 

Get Yourself a Faraday Pouch

Modern key fobs with keyless entry are convenient, but they can also be susceptible to hacking. Invest in a signal-blocking fob device (a “Faraday” box or pouch) to prevent unauthorized cellular access to your key fob’s signal when it’s inside.

Keep it away from your front door, too, to mitigate the risk.

 

Car Alarms and Extra Locks

Even when you’re not at home, a visible and audible car alarm is a great deterrent to a would-be thief. 

Also, consider using an anti-theft steering wheel lock when you park your car at home or in a public place. It takes a couple of seconds to lock the wheel and the same amount of time to take it off before you drive.

 

While they’re not impenetrable, they’re going to add time the criminals don’t want to spend.

Some vehicle owners opt for wheel locks instead.

 

Lock the OBD Port

Securing the onboard diagnostic (OBD) port using a simple device (that can be purchased online) blocks access to where thieves reprogram the vehicle’s key fob.

Or consider installing an aftermarket car immobilizer, which is an electronic device that prevents the engine from starting without a specific key or code.

These both add another layer of security to your car’s defences.

 

Install a GPS Solution

Alternatively, invest in an aftermarket global positioning system (GPS) tracker, as it may assist in recovery of the vehicle if it’s stolen. But always work with the authorities to retrieve a vehicle you may see on a map instead of you trying to retrieve it yourself, which could be dangerous.

 

Lights, Camera, Action!

Always try to park in a well-lit area, whether when you’re in a parking spot or on your driveway.

At home, ensure you’ve got outdoor security cameras – which are not expensive these days – that not only records suspicious activity but act as a deterrent, too.

 

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

This one is a no-brainer: don’t leave valuables in plain sight.

While it’s easy to forget, avoid leaving a laptop, pricy sunglasses, or backpacks in the front or back seat to tempt anyone.

Place valuable items under the seat or in the trunk, or take them with you when you step out.

 

Dash Cams Can Help

Many of today’s dashboard cameras (“dash Cams”) have a “parking mode” (or “standby mode”) that begin recording video around (and sometimes inside) the vehicle when it senses motion or sound – and many can push a notification to your phone while you’re, say, inside a restaurant or shopping mall.

Some dashcams even have a two-way voice feature, allowing you to tell the crooks that the cops are on their way. Some cars already have multiple cameras built in, to show all around the vehicle, which is convenient to have as well. The more eyes on the car, the better.

 

Gates and Retractable Bollards

Homeowners with expensive vehicles might consider a gate in front of their driveway, with push-button entrance inside the vehicle.

Another option is retractable bollards, which are raised after you park on the driveway (or in the garage) to prevent a would-be thief from driving off with your vehicle.

 

 

Bonus Pro Tip: Watch Out for Your Personal Info

For ages, we’ve kept a vehicle’s registration and proof of insurance in the vehicle’s glove compartment in case you’re pulled over or if you get into a fender bender. But insurance companies and law enforcement officials are now advising against this practice.

A stolen vehicle with your personal info can lead to identity fraud. After all, criminals may not stop at stealing just the vehicle itself. 

Plus, if your vehicle is stolen in a public place, the thieves now have your home address too!

If you don’t want to keep these papers in your wallet or purse – and a digital copy stored on your smartphone – at least hide these documents in your vehicle.

(On a related note, you may have programmed your exact home address into your vehicle’s mapping software, as part of its infotainment system, but a thief can simply tap “Home” and the navigation will take them straight to you. Instead, make your “Home” a nearby business, like a gas station.)

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