Pop Locks and Reprogrammers: Why Car Theft Just Became Your Problem as a Property Manager

High-Tech Car Theft: What Property Managers Need to Know About Reprogrammer-Based Vehicle Theft

A recent report by WISN highlights a disturbing trend in auto theft: criminals using key fob reprogrammers to steal cars in under 90 seconds. This is more than just a resident issue—it’s a growing liability for multifamily and commercial property owners.

In 2024, a vehicle was stolen approximately every 37 seconds in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That’s a whole lot of auto theft and now the problem has gotten worse.

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How Reprogrammer-Based Car Theft Works

Thieves are using locksmith-grade tools to override car security systems. Sometimes these re-programmers are illicitly purchased for around $600, but the news report also talks about locksmiths being held up at gunpoint to obtain them.

The reason is because these reprogrammers enable car thieves to steal a lot of cars, incredibly quickly. The process is shockingly simple:

1. Break into the vehicle (usually through a window)
   
2. Plug a reprogrammer into the OBD port
   
3. Program a new key fob in seconds—and drive away
   
   

These devices are readily available online and work seamlessly on a range of vehicles, particularly:

• Honda, Nissan, Infiniti
  
• Dodge, Chrysler
  
• Toyota, Lexus

The most vulnerable model years are 2007-2017, because they do not require a waiting period before reprogramming them. 

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Why This Should Alarm Property Managers

Vehicle theft and car break-ins have been the fastest rising property crimes since the pandemic began. And every incident increases jeopardy for a security negligence case against property management and ownership groups, particularly in states with plaintiff-friendly premises liability laws like California, Illinois and New York. (Check your state’s liability law here.)

And then there’s the insurance hikes and the reputation damage: the more residents leaving reviews citing security problems, the harder it becomes to fill the vacancies. 

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How to Prevent Car Break-ins on Your Property

Here’s how you can get proactive in your parking garage:

✅ Educate residents about security risks and simple deterrents such as not leaving keys or valuables in the car and never leave it running unattended,  Don’t forget the steering wheel locks.

✅ Add additional security cameras. Don’t settle for just entrance/exit points. You want to see if people are moving from car to car.

✅ Upgrade to AI video surveillance in your garage or lot.  Look for surveillance provider that offers seamless remote guarding software.

✅ Deploy Speakers and Remote Guarding Services to intervene in real time

Your residents will LOVE it. According to a 2024 NAA study, only 13% of multifamily residents currently live in a monitored environment but they are overwhelmingly more likely to feel safe and recommend their community to a friend.  

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Don’t Miss the Webinar! "Pop Locks and Legal Talks"

Want to get advice from counsel on this topic? For free? Join us for an expert-led session with attorney Melinda McBeth of Offit/Kurman, an expert in parking garage liability. 

👉 Register Now for Pop Locks and Legal Talks. Thursday, May 15th, 2025. 12pm ET / 9am PT

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