By Jessica Reynolds
Car thieves may be using overseas tactics to steal vehicles in Christchurch by attaching tracking devices to them.
A motorist believes he was targeted after discovering a tracking device had been placed on the underside of his 2007 Volkswagen Golf GTI.
He is unsure whether it was attached while he was waiting for an order at a New Brighton fish and chip shop, or at another time.
He was alerted to the device after receiving a notification on his iPhone from Apple’s Find My app, warning that an unknown device had been detected moving with him.
A map showed the device’s movements, including a location outside his home.
Using his phone, he made the device emit a beeping sound, which led him to discover a HiTag stuck underneath his car.
The motorist said his “heart literally sank” when he found it, adding he felt his privacy had been breached and his safety net compromised.
A HiTag is similar to an Apple AirTag in the way it’s designed for lost-item tracking, such as for keys.
He said the device was well hidden. He needed to “really feel around to find it”.
The motorist is now warning other people to be vigilant about where they park their car.
He reported the matter to the police and has given the device to them.
Police did not respond to questions from The Star if they are aware of a trend for car thieves using tracker devices to monitor vehicles.
In Canada, there is growing concern about thieves using similar devices to target vehicles.
In a recent case in Calgary, thieves allegedly hid a small GPS tracker behind a woman’s windshield wipers before later attempting to steal her SUV.