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Auto Theft Prevention/Known Ford Exploit?

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Expert: - 2/12/2010


Question
Dear Mr. Painter:

Last Friday, while attending a seminar in Lake Mary, Florida my 2004 Ford F-150 pickup truck, with "keyless" entry and security system was burglarized in broad daylight, less than a hundred feet from the main convention center entrance.

The responding officer from the Lake Mary Police Department and the resident manager of the hotel/resort informed me that I this was very common now that it had become known that there is an exploit involving Ford trucks that made them near instant and easy targets.

It seems my drivers side lock had been punched in, the security system disabled and the thieves were in and out without doing any noticeable damage to the vehicle in less than a minute.

I called this to the attention of Ford Customer service and was advised to return to the dealership, where they would "assess" it and where I would be subject to an "assessment fee" and totally ignored my concern regarding whether this would even provide an actual fix, regardless of their charges.

Can you help me?

Is this a known defect that has put a target on all Ford truck owner's backs?

Is Ford aware of the issue, but simply choosing to deny and ignore it?

If so, are you aware of any class actions being pursued in remedy of this defect?

Thank you ahead of time for your time and trouble.  I can no longer secure my vehicle, Ford is denying any knowledge, or liability and I don't even know that if I pay what they might ask, that that will actually solve the problem, or just reset the lock for the next skilled thief to punch and run.

Answer
Hello,

First off all, cops and security guards will tell the owner of a particular vehicle that it is the most popular to thievs.

I saw this play out in 17 years of being directly involved in the repair of over 20,000 theft recovered vehicles.

You seem naive in the respect that this was done in broad day light. Happens all the time. Even if someone were to see this happening, people might think it was the owner damaging the vehicle or just plain don't get involved.

NICB still states the Ford F-150 on their top ten, however they can't be believed because their numbers have been found not to be validated between the difference of theft and owner give ups (fraud).

Now, you feel this is a defect from Ford. Vehicles are built to keep mcosts down and the components have to be light weight. You ran accross some sloppy thieves. I could be in your truck in 30 seconds or less with no lock or window damage, just like a professional thief or a repossessor.
There is not a vehicle built that is secure. Locks are made to give you a false sense of security. Locks are made for honest people.

The manufacturers (in my opinion) are not in the business to secure the vehicle. They are in the business to sell repair parts and new cars.

You unfortunately ran into some young kids not caring if they destroyed your (plastic door handle) and lock assembly.

If you were ever to go after FORD for a class action, I feel you would have a better chance of blatant misrepresentation of their so-called "Anti-theft" transponder named PATS (Passive Anti Theft System) which is a bold face lie. This system does not prevent theft!!!!!!

You are just another victim. You could have a 1997 Yugo and if the cop came by to write the theft report, he would tell you the 87 Yugo is popular for theft.

Here is one other point I commonly make--If the manufacturer won't warranty theft or vandalism and they are the ones that make the vehicles; how can the insurance company make the determination that a vehicle like yours equipped with an anti-theft system, is unstealable?

Rob

Auto Theft Prevention

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Rob Painter, ASE, CFL, CFEI

Expertise

My background in auto theft is extensive. I have been directly involved in the repair of over 10,000 theft recovered vehicles. I also do insurance investigation as to how a vehicle was last operated. My clients are insurance companies and attorneys. Was featured in the A & E auto theft documentary "Stealing Wheels" July 26, 2000. Has consulted with Daimler Chrysler steering column engineers to make their steering columns harder to defeat. Holds patent # 6,039,140 for 8 different variations to protect air bags from theft.

Experience

ROB PAINTER, ASE, CFL, CFEI Forensic Vehicle Component Analyst Diplomate, Board Certified Forensic Examiner ASE Certified Auto, Collision, Med/Hvy/Duty Truck Technician Certified Forensic Locksmith Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator Certified Forensic Auto Theft Examiner Certified Auto Theft and Fraud Expert http://www.autotheftexpert.com Email-rpainter@wi.rr.com P.O. Box 190 Big Bend, WI 53103 Phone (414) 698-9696 Fax (262) 662-1352 As per federal court rules of evidence (702) (Daubert) my testimony has qualified me as: Auto Theft and Fraud Expert Forensic Vehicle Analyst Fire Origin and Cause Expert In the trial transcript of Holiday vs Progressive Insurance Company (March 12, 2002?Eugene, Oregon) with Holiday being my client-named ?the expert for experts.? BUSINESS EXPERIENCE Founder of the ?Forensic Institute of Auto Theft Analysis? (January 2002). This is the training school that will set the standards in determining the last operation of a reported stolen vehicle-burned or unburned. Much of my testing and procedures have been accepted as the guide for the forensic community. 1986 opened Auto Recovery Specialists Inc., providing exclusive repair of theft recovered and vandalized vehicles. The initial concept of the business was to return vehicles to their original shape before the theft, vandalism or fire. In 1987 bought the rights to the theft deterrent known as the ?Chicago Collar?. Duties include complete component replacement: dash, stereo system, interior, locks and coding, rebuilding steering columns, repairing and installing vehicle security system components (factory and after market), engine components, body repair, glass replacement, repair and service of air conditioning components, brake and suspension repair, and replacement, wiring harnesses etc. to return vehicle to pre-theft condition Complete reconstruction. During the past 17 years directly involved in the repair of over 10,000 theft-recovered and fire damaged Personally examined and rebuilt thousands of steering columns on both import and domestic vehicles Internationally acknowledged as expert in auto theft including court, consulting with insurance companies, attorneys and law enforcement. Consultant on steering columns, locks, stereo systems and vehicle security for Special Investigation Units for many large insurance carriers during the past eight years. Consulting services include but not limited to: How a vehicle was last operated (with or without keys in burned or unburned vehicles), Origin and Cause of vehicle fires, and vehicle defects. Provides services as a consultant and researcher to attorneys and insurance companies, and private industry throughout the US in cases related to vehicles. Has worked with crime prevention officers throughout the US establishing training programs designed to protect the public from becoming victims of auto theft. PATENT: 3/21/00 issued patent# 6,039,140 for 8 different variations of airbag anti-theft devices. PUBLICATIONS Currently authors articles and test reports on an ongoing basis for SIUs and the forensic/vehicle fire industry. Published author: (1,297 slide training course) Auto Theft/ Fraud Training Course) ?The Modern Forensic Approach to Auto Theft Investigation.? (January, 2001) Author: ?Variables to Be Considered In Vehicle Fire Investigation after Suppression.? (Insurance publication-November 2001) Author: ?Ford Magnesium Steering Columns and the Results to Ignition Components after a Fire?. Article for peer review from the fire and forensic community. (November 2001) Author: ?The Truth About GM VATS.? (Article) (November 2001) Author: ?The Truth About GM PASSLOCK TM? (Article) (November 2001) Author:? Auto Theft Investigation: Hollywood vs. Reality? (Article) (February 2001) For the John Cooke Fraud Report. Published author: (Manual) ?Forensic Vehicle Fire/ Arson and Auto Theft Investigation? (October 2000) Published author: (Article) ?Petty Claims? for the John Cooke Fraud Report (October, 1998) Published author (Manual) ?AUTO THEFT: LET THE TRUTH BE KNOWN!? (1998) (Previously distributed by Barnes & Nobel) Co-authored the investigation manual, ?Surreptitious Entry & Auto Theft & Burn & the Investigator.? (1999) Authored test questions on the subject of steering columns and vehicle security for CFL designation to be given by the International Association of Investigative Locksmiths. January, 2000 Published author: (Manual) ?Saginaw Steering Columns-What Has Not Been Told? Training manual for fire investigators. (March 2000) Published (Article) ?Beyond The Lock? (May 2000) Published Author: (Article) Fraud Defense Network-August, 2000 Edition-?Melting Steering Column Tests.? http://www.fraudreport.com/index.cfm?month=08&year=2000 Published author: (Test Report) ?Burned Toyota Steering Column Testing to Determine How Last Operated?. Tool marks and procedures. (December 1999) Currently at the FBI Crime Lab in Washington DC and the US Army Crime Lab in Atlanta, GA for peer review. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Defeated the ?unstealable? Ford Securilock transponder system for a court case 10/10/00. They said it could not be done! Primary designer of a state of the art ?bait? car for a police department to catch car thieves. Worked with The National Highway Safety Transportation Administration and discovered a potential fire hazard on a vehicle and determined origin and cause of under hood fires on this type of vehicle. Featured as ?Auto Theft Expert? in the A & E auto theft documentary ?Stealing Wheels? that aired July 26, 2000. Contacted by Sears and Edelman Marketing to be a national spokesman for an anti theft device for vehicles. (November 1999) Invited to provide evaluation and consulting to steering column engineers at Daimler Chrysler Corporation in Auburn Hills, MI (10/19/99-10/22/99). The purpose of this project was to demonstrate how steering column locking mechanisms could be defeated without the use of a key and how to reinforce the columns against theft. Court Qualified as an Auto Theft Expert and my videos of defeating columns were also accepted by a Cleveland, Ohio Court in October 1999 as a valid piece of evidence. Contacted by Disney Touchstone Pictures for technical assistance in making the movie ?Gone in 60 Seconds? (March 1999) CONSULTANT FOR FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS ? Former contributor for The Insurance News Network (Auto theft and prevention) includes heading a forum for the public on how to protect their vehicles for 3+ years. ? Former editor and consultant for the public on matters involving auto theft and prevention 2000-2001 on the web at http://www.autotheft_forum.com. ? The Insurance Career Center (Auto theft and fraud). ? National Association of Investigative Specialists (Auto theft and fraud) ? Expert Find (Auto theft and fraud} TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE ? ASE (National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence) Certified in Auto: brakes, steering and suspension, engine repair, manual drive train and axles, air conditioning. Med/Heavy duty truck: gasoline engine repair, electrical/electronic components. Collision: elec.....

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