Anyone who has fallen victim to remote jamming will know that sinking feeling when you open your boot and there’s nothing there – no laptop, no handbag, no shopping bag, no gym shoes.
You look around, dumbfounded. My car was locked. How did this happen?
Remote jamming is when thieves jam the signal from the immobiliser to the car, so it doesn’t lock even when the owner presses the “lock” button.
Charnel Hattingh, Group Head of Marketing and Communications at the Fidelity Services Group, gives the following tips: . Never lock your car and walk away. Check the doors to see if they are in fact locked. If your door opens, get in and drive away. Chances are the criminals have targeted you.. Be aware of your surroundings and of suspicious-looking people loitering around the parking area or sitting in cars.. Look around as you drive in and before you park. Follow your gut instinct and report suspicious-looking people to security or move your car to a safer place.. Remember that when you open your boot everyone around you can see what’s inside, especially when they are eagerly waiting for you to do so. . Never leave valuables in plain sight in the car.. Always park in the safest location, where there are many other cars and security guards.
“Crime is undoubtedly one of the biggest areas of concern as it continues to affect all us on a daily basis,” Hattingh concluded.
“We can stay safe by increasing vigilance and using common sense. Being security-conscious should be a habit, certainly not an after-thought.
