AirTag Anti-theft

[mdolan92869]

I was putting an AirTag on my bike today when it got me thinking about the one I have on my keychain. I was thinking that it would probably work well with hiding one in a car.

The AirTag goes in the holder, the cable loops around something sturdy and then the holder is secured around the cable and AirTag with an Allen screw. Not fool-proof, but it keeps someone from just digging it out from where ever it's hidden and throwing it out. They'd need the right wrench or a cable cutter to remove it. Or a hammer to just crush the AirTag. The cable is really not that big, small enough to thread through keys so it's not like a chain bike lock.

Here's a link for it:

Belkin Secure Holder For AIrTag

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[DevSecOps]

I assume you haven't seen the hundreds of stories where people place air tags on cars to stalk wives, exes, strangers?

This gave way to Apple modifying air tags so that they issue an alert for air tags that aren't with the owner. So, if a car thief takes the car and they have an iPhone it will alert them that there's an air tag following them. They would be on to it quickly.

That could be a good thing if they just abandon the car, but it could also just make them search for it and throw it out.

 

[azerik]

Takes 4 screws to pull the trunk liner up in the back of the car. Easy to install, a PITA if you're stealing the car and don't have a t25(?) torx. Or just throw it inside the hole for the subwoofer lol.

 

[flapjake314]

is the car's GPS not sufficient for this purpose?

 

[astrorob]

This gave way to Apple modifying air tags so that they issue an alert for air tags that aren't with the owner. So, if a car thief takes the car and they have an iPhone it will alert them that there's an air tag following them. They would be on to it quickly.

this doesn't kick in that fast though. and although iPhones are pretty ubiquitous, lots of people still have android phones. the "am i being tracked" app for android has to be downloaded; it's not part of the OS the way it is on iOS. so there's a chance you'll get data for a while/

on the other hand the AirTag does depend on being near an iPhone to transmit its location.

i think this would get you a good hour or two of tracking before the alert. and of course you can always disable the speaker in the AirTag so that it doesn't start making noise.

 

[Fat Mach]

My folks had their tow rig, enclosed trailer, and 1935 Phaeton stolen in Portland last year. Dad had put an air tag on the trailer and quickly located it in a Home Depot parking lot. The Phaeton was unharmed.

 

[MellowJohnny]

It also emits an audible alert, so I hide mine in the trunk. I like that Belkin holder tho...

And thieves use android burner phones... ;-)

 

[Jimrpa]

Takes 4 screws to pull the trunk liner up in the back of the car. Easy to install, a PITA if you're stealing the car and don't have a t25(?) torx. Or just throw it inside the hole for the subwoofer lol.

And destroy the purity of the amazing B&O sound system? ????
Actually, it would probably enhance the sound ???

 

[ARK]

You can use the FordPass app to track the location of your Mach-E. I think they would probably have to be smart enough to do some sort of reset in the vehicle settings to disable your FordPass access.

Also, the Mach-E isn't going to be hot wired, and there is a tilt alarm that would go off if they tried to somehow drag it onto a flatbed. Unless they get your keys, a Mach-E would be really tough to steal.

 

[Motomax]

It also emits an audible alert, so I hide mine in the trunk. I like that Belkin holder tho...

And thieves use android burner phones... ;-)

You can just pop it open and disconnect the speaker. Android is working with Apple to provide tracker notifications so pretty soon these will just be useful for people who can’t keep track of their keys.

 

[EELinneman]

I have 2 Airtags in my car. One is easy to find and is in the center divider. The other one is a bit more difficult. The speaker is disabled by cutting the wire, it's mounted in a very difficult-to-reach place in a weather-proof enclosure.

Will it stop theft, no, but it might make it more favorable to find the car and for the scumbags to decide to just leave it. I do hope that Apple's changes alert them.

What we don't want is this: https://www.denverpost.com/2023/02/07/fatal-denver-shooting-elias-armstrong/

 

[RickMachE]

You can use the FordPass app to track the location of your Mach-E. I think they would probably have to be smart enough to do some sort of reset in the vehicle settings to disable your FordPass access.

Also, the Mach-E isn't going to be hot wired, and there is a tilt alarm that would go off if they tried to somehow drag it onto a flatbed. Unless they get your keys, a Mach-E would be really tough to steal.

Master reset is in settings.

 

[BigMach-E]

I say air tag, GPS LoJack type system, and any other methods that are available.

 

[macchiaz-o]

I'm going to put an AirTag in the Mach-E's catalytic converter. Those things are stolen too often these days. Not sure how to protect it from the intense heat in there, though?

Also, I don't have an iPhone. I'm starting to question the wisdom of my plan.

 

[raggmoppmr]

Electric cars do not have catalytic converter‘s

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