While the technology in our vehicles continues to evolve, so do sophisticated auto thieves who are using technology to bypass security systems and electronically gain access to Canadians’ vehicles.

Technology is having a major impact on vehicle thefts, as evident in this year’s annual list, compiled by the Équité Association, and its Investigative Services team.

Équité Association is a new organization, conceived by the insurance industry to integrate cross-insurer data analytics operations with the former Insurance Bureau of Canada’s Investigative Services as a centralized effort to combat insurance fraud.

For this year’s list, Équité highlighted the following key trends in vehicle thefts: Electronic auto theft is on the rise across the country as more vehicles are equipped with technology like push button start; many high-end SUVs continue to be stolen for export; and stolen vehicles are being given false vehicle identification numbers and sold to unsuspecting consumers.

Topping the Canadian Top 10 list are the following vehicles:

• 2018 Ford Trucks (F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450)
• 2018 Honda (CRV)
• 2005 Chevrolet (GMC Silverado, Sierra 1500)
• 2019 Dodge Ram (2500, 3500)
• 2019 Lexus (RX350. RX450)
• 2019 Honda (Civic)
• 2019 Toyota (Highlander)
• 2017 Chrysler (Town & Country, Grand Caravan)
• 2017 Toyota (Corolla)
• 2018 Honda (Accord)

In Ontario, the top stolen vehicle is the 2018 Lexus (RX) followed by the 2019 Honda (CRV).

“Regardless of the type of vehicle, auto theft is a serious threat to public safety and continues to affect our local communities coast to coast and crosses international borders,” says Bryan Gast, Vice President, Investigative Services, Équité Association. “The vehicles being stolen are commodity-based money laundering, where they’re being exchanged to fund organized crime and terrorism.”

Gast offers these tips to prevent you from being a victim of auto theft:

Don’t leave a keyless entry remote in a vehicle or unprotected at the front entrance of your home. Thieves can use wireless transmitters to intercept the signal, giving them access to the vehicle. Consider storing fobs in a protective box or bag in your home that blocks the radio frequency identification (RFID) signal.

Install an immobilizing device that prevents thieves from bypassing the ignition or reprogramming the electronics through onboard diagnostic port. This can include devices that require wireless ignition authentication or starter, ignition and fuel pump disablers.

But most importantly, Never leave a vehicle running when unattended and lock the and close all windows when the vehicle is parked.