As vehicle technology has developed, so has the car crime that targets your precious wheels! We’ve taken a look at the most common, current offences, from full vehicle theft through to fake accidents and car cloning, as well as the best ways to avoid to these costly car crimes…
The most up-to-date figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that in the period 2024/25 approximately 55,000 households experienced vehicle theft, costing the country half a billion dollars annually and of course contributing to the rising cost of insurance premiums.
While you may imagine luxury vehicles being the top of thieves’ target list, the staple Holden Commodore (2013-2017) is actually in the top three of most stolen cars. So, you shouldn’t consider any model, however ‘average’, safe from car thieves! The two other car brands popular with thieves are Subaru’s, including their Impreza, Outback and XV models, as well as several Toyota models including the HiLux, LandCruiser, Corolla and Rav4.
The likelihood of your car being stolen also seems to change depending on where your car is in the country…
Car theft data isn’t consistent across the country, but even without direct comparisons, it is clear that vehicle thefts are concentrated in major metropolitan areas.
Victoria is highlighted in all country wide statistics when it comes to vehicle theft, usually when looking for high-tech keyless theft (which we’ll cover later in more detail).
The Melbourne Metro area including CBD, Southbank and Dandenong are all considered car theft hotspot locations. Tarneit, St Albans and Truganina within Western Suburbs, and Reservoir, Craigieburn, Epping and Narre Warren are all highlighted within the Northern & South-Eastern Suburbs.
The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) has identified three specific Local Government Areas with the highest total vehicle thefts including Blacktown, Newcastle and Sydney CBD. Sydney’s surrounding inner-city areas record consistently high data for reported car thefts.
It is only right to point out that the latest vehicle theft figures for Queensland (in 2025) had showed a slight decline, but two key areas are still considered high risk not only for the territory, but for the whole country… Rockhampton has high figures for all forms of car crime, while South East Queensland highlights Brisbane and the Gold Coast as major areas of activity for stolen vehicles.
Finally, in Western Australia, Northbridge just above Perth’s CBD, has been labelled a ‘major hotspot’ for car theft, which is supposed to be due to its high density of nightlife and entertainment.
South Hedland and Wedgefield have also been named due to particularly high numbers of vehicle thefts specifically targeting high-value four-wheel drives.
What has changed about car theft over the years is the method in which thieves gain access to your car. Long gone are the days where a crow bar and brute force were the tools of choice, now a car thief can get into your vehicle without even touching it.
ABS gives an accurate picture from Victoria, where data is most comprehensive, and here, around one-in-five of every car theft in 2024/25 was thought to be carried out using high-tech methods. Not only are these ‘keyless’ thefts relatively common, 20% of them happen directly from residential streets or driveways, often while the owner still has the physical key in their possession.
CCTV footage reviewed by the police has shown criminals using these methods to steal vehicles in as little as 90 seconds. Victims of this kind of car theft often only discover the crime the following morning because there is so little disturbance caused by the theft.
So, exactly how are cars are being stolen using high-tech methods? There are various forms of key jacking…
Relay theft involves targeting cars parked near to the owner’s home. Two devices – a relay transmitter and an amplifier are used in tandem to trick the car into thinking the key is closer than it is, which means the car can be unlocked, started and driven away. This criminal equipment can be purchased for as little as $200 and has naturally become a growing problem for those tackling car theft.
Car key code grabbing is exactly as it sounds. Criminals wait for an opportunity, usually in public parking areas, to capture a key code using an electronic tool as the owner locks their vehicle. The code is then downloaded onto a blank key and used to steal the car.
On-board diagnostics system compromise uses a device that vehicle technicians would legitimately use to check the health of the car. But of course, this technology can be exploited by criminals to gain information on the car including the key’s unique code, which can then be used to create a duplicate key.
Transponder key cloning relies on criminals gaining original keys through businesses that may be entrusted with them for short periods of time such as garages or car washes. A device is used to copy the code from the original key onto a blank key, which is then used to steal the car at a later date.
Electronic control unit replacement means hacking or replacing what is essentially the computer controlling a vehicle’s electrical systems. By controlling this, thieves can start and drive a car away, but it’s not an easy or quick method of car theft, so it’s more likely to be used on vehicles parked overnight.
Believe it or not, the old fashioned steering wheel lock is one of the best way to deter car thieves. While it’s not impossible to remove a wheel lock, it’s a hassle, and far more time consuming than most thieves will be bothered with. Even if they’ve gone to great lengths to open and start your car, that’s useless without being able to steer!
Another, more advanced ‘lock’ is the type you can now buy for your vehicle’s On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) port. Installing a lock on the OBD port will physically prevent thieves from plugging in devices to reprogram keys.
The majority of modern cars have an alarm, but if you have a basic or vintage model, it’s definitely something you should consider.
Immobilisers are also a useful security device. All cars manufactured since July 2001 have an immobiliser fitted as standard, but you can purchase additional systems that will offer increased security and protection against car theft.
Blocking the signal from your car key (and spare keys!) is also a really simple but effective tool against some of the car theft methods we’ve described. Using a good quality, purpose made, ‘Faraday pouch’ will offer the best protection, but there are DIY methods that will block or at least inhibit those signals, if done correctly. Use aluminium foil or copper mesh to line a tin made from conductive metal and ensure it will close tightly for the best results.
The latest tech available is a ‘sleeping’ car key battery… This smart battery uses a motion sensor and goes into sleep mode if the key hasn’t moved for over three minutes. Simply, this means that once you’ve put down your keys at home and left them still, no signal can be sent to the car and relay theft is impossible.
It’s less common, but frighteningly still a reality, that criminals may break into your house specifically to target car keys. Protecting your car against this kind of theft is, of course, to actually secure your home. Ensure any entry to your house is properly locked and secured, use your house alarm, don’t leave valuables in view of windows, including your car keys, which should be in a secure place.
Another general, worthwhile security measure, but one that also specifically protects from transponder key cloning, is checking that the garage, valeting or car washing service you’ve chosen to use is trustworthy, before handing over your keys.
Theft from vehicles is hardly a modern crime, but it’s still rife across the country. As you’d probably imagine, the majority of thieves wouldn’t go to the effort of using the sophisticated technology methods we’ve described only to steal some loose change or a shopping bag.
The latest available data from ABS (for 2023/24) says that nationally, 2.1% of households (approximately 220,000) reported theft from a motor vehicle. However, it is also estimated that only 50% of households actually report these incidents to the police, so the true picture is likely to be closer to 440,000 households experiencing theft from a car.
Similar to full car theft, the majority of thefts from vehicles occur at home – making up a huge 73% either at the owner’s residence or another home.
According to ABS, the items most likely to be stolen from a car are personal financial items and small valuables. Money, purses and wallets are said to have been taken in 43% of all thefts from vehicles, with thieves breaking into vehicles for as little as a few dollars in change! Personal valuables such as jewellery, clothing, mobile phones and keys are stolen in an estimated 36% of incidents.
Police in both Queensland and Victoria have warned car owners about the growing number of opportunistic car break-ins with cash and mobile phones being the most targeted items. Even small amounts of cash, as previously mentioned, and random items such as fire extinguishers and tools can tempt a passing thief and have generated a growing number of ‘smash-and-grab’ incidents.
Police have even described tool theft as an ‘epidemic’ because of the high resale value of power tools. In 2025, a 16% year-on-year increase in tool theft incidents was recorded, while Victoria’s crime data showed that tool theft cost the region’s tradespeople an estimated $20 million every year, with nearly 30,000 tools stolen annually. Thieves often target toolboxes on the back of utes or vans, again often on domestic driveways.
There has even been an increase in the demand for car parts themselves, with a growing number by organised crime syndicates. Catalytic converters have always topped this ‘stolen parts’ list as they contain precious metals such as platinum and can be sold for high prices. The police have explained that SUVs, vans and utes tend to be targeted, purely because it’s easier to get underneath them to access the part!
Other car parts commonly stolen include wheels, as alloys and tyres are easy to sell on the second hand market for a high price, as well as tailgates, wing-mirrors, headlights and badges. All these parts are relatively easily and quickly removed and they are in high demand for replacements.
No matter whether your car is being stolen in its entirety, or it’s being broken into for an opportunistic or planned burglary of items, all the data sources we reviewed indicated that the majority of car theft crime happens outside a home. Clearly there are some precautions you can take as deterrents – gates or a barrier on your driveway, security lights etc – but these aren’t always options.
If you are parking away from home, it’s always recommended to leave your vehicle in a well-lit and busy location as thieves are less likely to target vehicles in busy locations with good visibility, but again there are limited precautions you can take when simply finding a place to leave your car.
What these situations highlight is the need to use other vehicle protection methods in addition to a sensible parking spot.
We mentioned car alarms in vehicle theft and they are even more effective for vehicle break-ins as the criminals in these instances are less likely to have a method of disabling them.
Don’t leave valuables in your car! Or, if you don’t have a choice, at least ensure they are out of view and ideally, secured. Remember that even a small bag of food shopping could be considered worth breaking into your car for, so making sure any item is hidden takes temptation away.
The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) published a bulletin in 2025 specifically advising motorists to keep valuable personal items, including electronics, out of sight. The RACV referred to a ‘record-breaking crime wave’ in the state but it’s sensible advice wherever you live.
Tool theft can be a harder ‘contents’ theft to manage if you have a work ute or van, because of accessing tools throughout the day. For tools that do have to stay in your vehicle, they should be kept out of sight and secured. Always remove them at the end of the day and use signage to explain no tools are stored in your vehicle overnight. It’s also highly effective to mark or ideally engrave your tools – it makes them harder to sell, easier to return if recovered, and helps convict any criminals caught with them. Some power tool brands now even offer integrated Bluetooth or GPS tracking to help locate stolen gear.
* Note that most standard car insurance policies do not automatically cover trade tools and you should look to purchase a specific tool insurance policy.
When it comes to protecting car parts from criminals it can be tricky! There are a few physical things you can do though – folding in your wing mirrors and locking them in place makes a thief’s job harder, as does leaving your wheels at a 45 degree angle, close to the curb. A car alarm should help deter a criminal trying to access your battery, you can also purchase battery locks and/or an additional bonnet lock. By etching your VIN number on your catalytic converter it will be worth less to the thief and may even make its way back to you if it’s recovered. There’s very little you can do to avoid your car emblem being stolen, but all the security methods mentioned here will help protect your vehicle in general.
After all these tips to protect your car from break-ins, remember the simplest piece of advice – to lock your doors and close your windows! While the stat that around 50% of cars show no signs of forced entry would support the evidence of growing high-tech keyless thefts there are still a large proportion that are accessed from an open door or window. Newcastle City Police District estimated that 85% of thefts from motor vehicles were from cars with unlocked doors. While incidents reported in Melbourne and Victoria over 2025 indicate that thieves often walk the streets just testing door handles. People are much more likely to feel safe leaving their cars unsecured on their own driveways, which is why so many thefts happen in domestic settings.
So, while all the precautions we’ve covered are sensible and worthwhile, the most important preventative method is also the most simple – never leave your car running, even for a moment, and always check you’ve locked it!
‘Crash for Cash’ is the modern motor crime causing governments and the insurance industry a major headache. While many people are now savy to this serious fraud, if you are targeted, it’s actually very hard to prove your innocence.
If you are not aware of the term ‘crash for cash’ we’re sure you haven’t struggled to figure it out – accidents are staged, usually with innocent road users involved, to gain profit from fraudulent insurance claims. Usually these scams are based on exaggerated injuries or damage.
A recent example to hit the headlines was a man arrested at Sydney Airport after police investigated a major operation involving the individual staging 16 collisions, involving 45 different vehicles, using fake identities and third-party insurance. He was said to have deliberately smashed into parked cars as part of a half-million-dollar insurance scam.
The Australian insurance industry has estimated that fraudulent claims, including staged crashes and exaggerated damage reports cost $560 million in 2024–25. These modern car crimes are also behind a soar in insurance costs. The average cost of comprehensive premiums have risen a huge 42% since 2019, with a typical policy now exceeding $1,050.
Not only are the public and the insurance industry suffering from this ‘new’ crime, but it’s developing quickly. AI is now helping fraudsters to create highly convincing but fake accident photos and police reports for accidents that never happened.
The reason these scams have been successful, is that the processes and laws dealing with them have been designed to protect the innocent, which these criminals are setting themselves up to be. However, government agencies are working hard to tackle this relatively new car crime. The police are working with the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) to investigate organised criminal syndicates staging car crashes. The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) is also working with the Insurance Crime Intelligence Network of Australia (ICINA) to launch an AI-powered national platform so that insurers can share data in real-time – identifying these ‘crash for cash’ networks.
There’s not a lot you can do to avoid this awful crime but a key piece of advice for drivers is to install a dashcam, as video evidence is the most effective way to prove a collision was staged and may even deter a scammer.
The only other preventative measures you can take involve defensive driving and being aware of suspicious behaviour. We should all maintain safe distances when driving, but it’s essential to give you time to react to a scammer’s ‘brake-check’. Be wary of another driver flashing their lights or waving their hand to indicate you are safe to join traffic as you may be lured into a planned collision. It’s also important to watch out for cars without working brake lights, slowing down for no reason, or driving erratically.
As we’ve explained, the authorities and the insurance industry are very much aware of this scam, so you will have common sense on your side.
Follow the authorities’ advice, which says not to challenge anyone at the scene of the incident. Try to deal with it as you would a genuine claim. Don’t admit any liability, don’t hand over any cash, and get as much information and evidence (photos, independent witnesses etc) as you can. Check for injuries and call 000 immediately.
Ensure you make note of the other cars and people involved so fraudsters can’t make up ‘ghost passengers’ after the event. Contact the police at the scene, and as well as your own insurer, notify Crime Stoppers Australia online, or on telephone number 1800 333 000. You can also report a scam to ScamWatch – a scheme run by the National Anti-Scam Centre collecting data to help warn others and stop scams.
Car cloning isn’t new, but it is a rapidly growing car crime that can cause a huge amount of distress and inconvenience. While there is limited national data available there are startling examples from across the country. Over the financial year ending mid 2025, Victoria Police reported cancelling 5,525 infringement notices due to being linked to cloned or stolen plates. That’s approximately 106 fines every week, which is not only a huge figure, but according to the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency, it’s also nearly double the amount recorded a decade earlier.
Car cloning isn’t as technical and futuristic as it sounds, it’s simply reproducing your number plate and putting it onto another vehicle, leaving you liable for all of its illegal activities. Innocent car owners are left receiving speeding tickets, parking fines, toll road fines and other driving related penalties. Cloned plates are being used for stealing fuel from service stations and even on vehicles used in serious crimes, such as ram raids and police chases.
There are national countermeasures being planned and introduced, for example, VicRoads has introduced plates with holographic watermarks to make them harder to clone. But this feature is not yet standard across all vehicles or territories, nor is it a guaranteed method to protect your plates. There are some precautionary measures you can take to try and avoid being targeted by this modern car crime…
Although it’s more likely to be a digital crime, some thieves do actually steal your physical licence plates. A simple and effective method to prevent this is to use one-way anti-theft screws, which can be installed with a regular screwdriver, but require a special tool to remove them. Look out on your local council, police or Neighbourhood Watch websites for updates on ‘Safe Plate’ days where they install them for free or for a small donation.
In terms of digital cloning, cars are most vulnerable on sales sites where criminals ‘shop’ for plates searching for a make, model and colour that matches their own vehicle. To tackle this crime, some platforms are now using AI to automatically blur reg plates, but you should always take the time to do this yourself, particularly when selling your car directly on sites such as Facebook Marketplace. Remember to keep your reg plate hidden if a supposed buyer asks for a video of the car, or for more photos from different angles. It’s also worth noting that you should never list your car’s VIN in the description, which may be used in high-level cloning.
A simple but helpful deterrent for license plate cloning is ensuring your car has distinguishing or unique features such as vinyl stickers / badges etc. You can also use custom or slimline plates which make your car more identifiable.
If you and your car have fallen victim to this crime then the key is to act quickly. If your plates have been physically stolen then report it immediately to the national Police Assistance Line (131 444). This is important as you will need a ‘police event number’ to refer to if you receive false future fines linked to that plate.
To stay ahead of the scammers you can check your toll accounts – if you notice trips logged at times or locations when you know you weren’t there it’s an early warning that your plates have been clones.
Never ignore official mail about your vehicle – fines for parking or speeding, even if you know they can’t be you, must be responded to – and the faster you identify a scam the better. Contact the issuing authority of the penalty, whether that is the police, a private parking company or local transport authority and produce any evidence you can to show it wasn’t your car in that location.
If it’s an ongoing problem, the police advise purchasing a private rego and updating your local transport authority – this way you can no longer be liable for penalties linked to the original registration.
We hope our information on current car crimes and what you can do to protect yourself and your car has been helpful.
If your car has been damaged through crime and will cost more to fix than it’s worth we can still offer you a competitive price for it. You can get an instant quote online or if you’d rather talk through the condition of your car, do get in touch directly with our lovely customer services team who will be happy to help you.
Stay safe
