In 2022, the police began to warn the public in the United States about a TikTok trend that is increasing thefts of Hyundai and Kia cars across the country. The trend encourages thieves to disassemble the ignition of vehicles and start them with a USB charger. Even young boys without any criminal background are trying this as just fun.
Recently, a Florida woman fell victim to this TikTok carjacking trend when she woke up to discover her 2018 Hyundai Elantra had disappeared from her driveway. Twelve hours later, the car was found on Jacksonville’s Southside, severely damaged and completely unusable. The victim, Porsha Minton, said the thieves took a cable and twisted it until the car started. When she found her vehicle, it was in the back of an apartment complex with the windows down and no one around.
How Does the Viral “Kia Boyz” TikTok Challenge Works, and How It Also Affects Hyundai Vehicles
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, there were more than one million reported car thefts last year in the United States. While the trend of Hyundai and Kia car thefts is worrisome, owners of these vehicles can protect themselves from thieves. Hyundai introduced an anti-theft software update in February to prevent cars from starting. The upgrade is free, and homeowners only need to schedule a service appointment to have it installed.
“When I found my vehicle, it was in the back of the apartments. So all my windows were down. Everything would pop up on the screen, but it just wouldn’t boot,” Minton stated to the local news media. She is grateful to have her car back, but hopes her auto insurance company will help her with the damage. Hyundai and Kia car owners should be aware of the trend of theft that is on the rise and take preventive measures to avoid becoming a victim of car thieves.
The Police Answer to the TikTok Car Theft Challenge Is Making Owners Angry
It looks like the NYPD has finally caught up with the times and is using Apple AirTags to fight back against a car theft challenge on TikTok. Yes, you read that right, the police are using technology that is primarily used to track lost items like keys and wallets to locate stolen cars.
And if that wasn’t enough, they’re also bringing back the Digidog and piloting a car-mounted launcher that shoots GPS tracking tags onto vehicles. Because, you know, traditional police work is just so outdated. This is making New Yorkers furious, because the focus must be on avoiding the thefts to happen, and not over how to find the cars that have been already stolen, that usually end up being garbage.
Mayor Adams is so into technology that he even elected to get his first three paychecks in cryptocurrency. Because nothing says “I’m in touch with the people” like using digital currency that most of the citizens don’t even understand.
So, to avoid being the next victim, remember to call your car’s manufacture or dealer, and ask for the free software updates. That’s fast and secure for you and your vehicle.