The UK’s largest owner-managed loss adjusting and claims solutions group, QuestGates, has identified a modern reinvention of the old ‘Third Key’ vehicle theft method.
From the 1930s until the turn of the 21st century, secretly cutting a spare key remained a simple but effective approach to stealing cars. Since then, the introduction of transponder keys has seen criminals moving to keyless attacks. However, a surprising finding on a recent claim handled by QuestGates suggests that the copy key technique is back, reinvented for the digital age.
Case Study
A used luxury SUV was stolen from a policyholder’s driveway just days after it was purchased for in excess of £100,000. The short duration between transaction and reported theft, combined with the high value, prompted escalation to our investigation team. CCTV footage captured the alleged criminal calmly walking, hands in pockets, to the vehicle. The car’s indicators flash, the driver’s door opens, and off he goes. It all happens incredibly quickly, with none of the behaviours usually associated with keyless thefts.
The owner also provided two seemingly identical keys, which we sent for analysis. It turns out that only one was original, issued at manufacture, while the other was a copy. A little digging revealed that this additional key had been cut far more recently. The explanation settled upon by the police is that the car was taken using a key, presumably the missing original. This crime was brazen and organised. The third key looked so like the originals it got given to the new owner, which eventually gave the game away.
Philip Swift, Technical Director – Motor at QuestGates, said: “With so much focus on relay attacks and keyless entry in recent years, it’s important to remember that there are other threats. The unregulated and unrecorded ease with which spare keys can be obtained, particularly for certain makes, is concerning. In terms of practical solutions, we advise used car buyers to weigh the cost of key reprogramming, effectively changing the locks, against the desirability and value of their vehicle.”