MBOMBELA – An alarming number of remote-jamming incidents have reared their ugly heads in the area again. What is shocking is the ease with which criminals can gain access to a vehicle once the jamming device was accessed. Some say it’s like taking candy from a baby.
A local photographer recently took photos at a wedding after which he stepped out for a few minutes to get refreshments. He made the crucial mistake of leaving his camera on the car seat. Hours of work and endless memories were gone in seconds when his car remote was jammed and his camera stolen.
After an incident like this doubt of whether or not the vehicle had been locked immediately sets in. In actual fact, when a person leaves his vehicle and activates the central-locking and alarm system via a remote, a criminal uses a similar remote at the same time, effectively blocking the signal of the original remote. This is called remote-jamming, car-jamming or car jam.
Response manager of Hi-Tech Security Nelspruit, Mr Callum Macpherson, says it is of utmost importance not to leave valuable items in full view of passers-by. What makes this crime so upsetting, is the fact that there are no signs of forced entry, thus turning an insurance claim into a headache.
“Incidents like these happen a lot these days, and it causes many problems. Because there are no signs of forced entry, it is difficult for the insured to prove that their vehicle was broken into and a theft had occurred. It is also difficult to prove negligence on the part of the client, as to whether the items stolen were visible to the the perpetrator. Cases are handled in good faith, and some insurers will assist with an ex-gratia percentage payment, depending on the circumstances and insured’s loss ratio,” says Ms Heather Bourhill of LVM Insurance Brokers.
For exactly this reason, certain insurers put monetary limits on claims relating to cases like these. However, says Bourhill, “It remains every vehicle owner’s responsibility to ensure they keep their valuables out of sight when leaving it unattended. This prevents temptation from setting in among the criminals. It is also very important to ensure that your vehicle is locked and not assume that by pressing the lock button, your valuables will be safe. The onus is also on the insured to try and prevent a loss and not have the perception that they are insured, it is in order to be careless.”
Macpherson says up to 18 laptops have been reported stolen in one week, and those are only the cases that have been reported.
“It’s just as important to realise that these criminals can easily outwit security guards. But it is still important to park where guards are present to deter criminals,” he says.
“It is a crime that has become incredibly difficult to control, and that is why it has to be taken seriously,” he concludes.
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