The Puget Sound Auto Theft Task-Force (PSATT), which serves King and Pierce Counties, has issued a warning to car owners about the Kia Tik Tok Challenge. Since early July, some users of Tik Tok, the social media platform, have distributed instructions on how to hotwire a 2011 or newer Kia or 2015 or newer Hyundai using a USB cable. The instructions have been linked to an increase in Kia/Hyundai car thefts by local law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Kia’s and Hyundai’s that use traditional keys in their
ignition to start are particularly vulnerable to this theft technique. Kia’s
and Hyundai’s that use a push button to start are not at risk to the technique,
according to PSATT.
In a recent Facebook post, PSATT made the following observations
about the increase in Kia/Hyundai thefts in Pierce County:
·
Most of the thefts or attempted thefts
occurred at apartment complexes.
·
In several of the attempts, the vehicle’s
windows were broken out.
·
Vehicles that were locked and/or had vehicle
alarms seemed to prevent some thefts from occurring.
PSATT recommends:
·
Locking your vehicle!
·
Remove all valuables from your vehicle.
·
Activate a vehicle alarm system.
·
Install a hidden GPS tracking
system.
·
Install a hidden kill switch.
·
Install a steering wheel lock.
As mentioned earlier, PSATT covers King and Pierce Counties.
The activity that they described applies to those counties. However, with Tik
Tok being available just about anywhere, Snohomish County and the rest of the
Puget Sound region no doubt are susceptible to this car theft threat.
Puget Sound Auto Theft Task-Force:
https://www.facebook.com/pugetsoundautotheft/photos/a.105522928408595/372875261673359/
https://www.facebook.com/pugetsoundautotheft/photos/a.105522928408595/373345861626299/
FOX13:
Newsweek:
https://www.newsweek.com/tiktok-kia-challenge-dangerous-1728309
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