By Farmer Chalk - 10 Feb 2013
A recent spate of thefts of Range Rovers in the South east has highlighted a new phenomen which needs highlighting to owners and to make you aware of the scams! Recently thieves have used two clever methods to have away your pride and joy! Both will seem inconceivable but are actually happening out there!
The first occurs when you leave your car parked in the streets of London. You leave your vehicle secure and locked and when you return you find a note under the wiper blade from usually a woman who states that whilst parking she has damaged your car! Sure enough upon examination you see a dent. On the note she leaves her telephone number to contact her to arrange repairs. Thus pleasantly surprised that someone has taken the trouble you ring the mobile number left and actually speak to a woman who is incredibly apologetic. She states she has a friend who is a mobile dent repairer and gives you his number saying that she would settle any bill directly with him subsequently. Relieved you think this is ok and ring the man who arranges an appointment within a couple of days! As per appointment a mobile repairman then attends your address inspects the dent and states that he may need to do a superficial amount of paintwork and thus requires the paint code! Unsure of the exact paint code the fitter states he can find out by downloading it from the cars computer.
He then asks permission to plug into the cars obd port and read the paint code. Thinking he is being very helpful this he is allowed to do.
He then says he has to order the right paint and will need to return in a couple of days to complete the job. Another appointment is made and he leaves.
That night your car is stolen without keys from outside your house.
What the repairman actually did was whilst plugged into your car supposedly extracting the paint code he was actually teaching it a key ready to have the car away that night!
The second is a similar version whereby you have your car advertised for sale. A potential buyer contacts you with a view to purchase and agrees to the asking price providing he can have the car checked over by a Land Rover technician. You agree and both parties attend your house. Whilst you are showing owner the paperwork the 'technician' inspects your car. Again using an argument to determine the latest service regime and updates he asks to connect to the vehicle obd socket. The technician is attired in Land Rover clothing and you have no reason to doubt his provenance you agree.
The sale is agreed and a subsequent collection date arranged. That night your car is stolen!
Again what the technician did was teach the vehicle a new key!
Moral of the story? Never ever let anyone you do not know ever have access to your OBD socket!
Never leave keys with anyone! I personally would never park my car in a car wash, valet parking, or airport car park leaving the keys in their possession!
You have been warned!
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