How Bluetooth could be making your car a target for Bay Area break-ins

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

Thieves in at least three major Bay Area cities have been turning to Bluetooth technologies to help them nab electronics from parked vehicles, adding a high-tech twist to one of the region’s most intractable issues, according to law enforcement officials.

Police department spokespersons in San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose said they were aware of incidents in which thieves used their phones to locate Bluetooth and Wi-Fi signals emanating from laptops, tablets or other devices in vehicles.

This may help explain why, even if people take necessary precautions to hide their valuables from thieves — such as tinting their windows or stashing their electronics out-of-sight — they still could be the victim of a smash-and-grab.

Any smartphone can scan for Bluetooth signals, which means that if a phone is close enough to someone’s stashed cell phone, iPad or laptop, thieves who walk up to a car can detect its presence in just a matter of seconds, said Rob Enderle, a technology analyst and consultant.

LINK (paywall): https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/bluetooth-car-break-in-18257966.php

According to the link, simply closing a laptop isn’t enough. It goes into sleep mode which could still send out a Bluetooth signal.

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If thieves can detect a smartphone in your vehicle, I guess they could locate one in your pocket, briefcase or purse.

Holy jumpin' catfish!