Guard Your VIN With Tips to Prevent Key Fob Cloning
KSAT recently aired a segment featuring a retired Bexar County deputy and The Key Man’s owner, Idan Bibiy. Doorbell cameras caught three suspects sneaking into a driveway, snapping a phone photo of the Vehicle Identification Number on the dash, and sprinting back to a getaway car. The deputy later learned why the picture mattered: a full VIN lets underground suppliers cut and program a fresh key fob that will start the targeted vehicle.
Why Certain Makes Are Easier Targets
Automakers improve security every year, yet many 2020-and-older models still accept fobs cloned from the VIN alone. Bibiy reports that Dodge, Chevy, GM, Hyundai, and Kia vehicles appear most often in theft calls across San Antonio. Performance trims like Hellcats and Scat Packs add extra incentive because thieves can flip them for parts within hours.
How the Scam Works
A thief photographs the full 17-digit VIN through the windshield. That image travels to an underground vendor who pulls factory key codes from a database. The vendor then cuts and programs a blank fob the car accepts as original. Days later, the thief returns, unlocks the doors without breaking glass, and drives away while the factory alarm stays silent.
Hide the Code, Raise the Odds
You cannot remove or alter the VIN; tampering remains illegal. What you can do is limit what outsiders see. Place a thin strip of opaque film over the last eight characters—the portion used to request a key. Law enforcement can peel back the strip if required, yet parking-lot prowlers leave empty-handed.
Everyday Protection Checklist
- Signal-blocking pouch: Store spare fobs inside a Faraday sleeve so radio amplifiers cannot ping the circuits.
- Visible hardware: A steering-wheel bar or brake lock forces thieves to break or cut metal, a noisy and time-consuming effort that draws attention.
These two tools cost less than a single insurance deductible and move easily between vehicles.
Upgrade Your Digital Defenses
The Key Man installs OEM-grade immobilizers and aftermarket alarms with tilt and impact sensors. An immobilizer cuts fuel and ignition if an unauthorized key tries to start the engine. A modern alarm pushes phone alerts when glass breaks or wheels leave the ground. Together, they block high-tech cloning and old-fashioned towing.
Watch for Red Flags
A door that unlocks without chirping, an engine that starts with a spare you never programmed, or fresh scratches near the ignition all point to tampering. Respond sooner rather than later.
Parking and Software Habits Matter
Location matters almost as much as hardware. Park inside a garage when available, or under bright cameras near store entrances. Angle the wheels toward the curb and engage the parking brake; those small steps slow tow-away attempts.
Modern vehicles receive security patches through dealer visits or over-the-air updates. Check your owner portal once a month and apply pending firmware revisions. Updated software can close loopholes that clone fobs exploit, yet many drivers never install them.
Finally, inventory every key you own. If you cannot account for a fob, assume someone else has it. Clear lost fobs from memory, then create a fresh spare fob with help from a licensed locksmith. Keeping your digital key list short limits the openings thieves can use.
What To Do If Your VIN Might Be Compromised
- Call The Key Man at 210-480-0000.
- Provide proof of ownership so our technician can rekey or reprogram locks.
- Request a diagnostic scan to clear cloned fobs from memory.
- Schedule an immobilizer or alarm install for long-term peace of mind.
Prevention Beats Recovery
Cover part of the VIN, store spare fobs in signal-blocking sleeves, and add a visible steering-wheel bar. Digital upgrades from The Key Man close any remaining gaps. Contact us today to book mobile service and keep your vehicle secure.
The Key Man Locksmith San Antonio
7340 Blanco Rd STE 101, San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 480-0000
