Lt. Brian Geer with the Philadelphia Police Department demonstrates anti-theft devices used to prevent key fob cloning attacks. Read more Jesse Bunch

by Jesse Bunch Published Nov. 6, 2025, 12:26 p.m. ET

The Philadelphia Police Department is urging the public to protect their vehicles amid a wave of high-tech auto theft targeting push-to-start vehicles with keyless fobs.

The Inquirer reported on those thefts — dubbed key fob cloning — last month, detailing methods that criminals use to remotely access locked vehicles using relatively inexpensive tools found for purchase online.

Law enforcement agencies across the Philadelphia region have noticed the thefts. They say thieves can break into vehicles and use an onboard diagnostics tool, a device commonly found in auto garages

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