Kia and Hyundai vehicle theft has reportedly increased because of this TikTok trend
2 min readKia and Hyundai motorists, beware!
A new social media challenge termed “Kia Boyz” exhibits how USB charging cords can start up vehicles that never have press-commence buttons. Films posted by accounts on social media platforms display men and women breaking off the less than sprint panels of car wheels and then use USB cords to commence the cars and trucks and acquire off.
In a video posted on Youtube, a guy who claimed to have made use of the process advised, “if you have a Hyundai or a Kia, you’re by no means intended to depart a plug-in piece like this.”
The spread of “Kia Boyz” tutorial movies has caused an raise in motor car theft in some components of the place. Authorities say this is specially true for Kias and Hyundais. In sections of the Midwest, wherever the pattern reportedly started, thefts have grown in excess.
In accordance to a Fb submit from the Hilliard Division of Law enforcement in Ohio, the office has investigated 15 stolen autos since May. Nine of the vehicles in issue have been both Kias or Hyundais.
WCMH, the Columbus, Ohio, neighborhood NBC affiliate, documented the challenge is especially widespread in that location.
“For these children, it is a game and it is a standing symbol to see how quite a few they can steal in a working day, and then they are employing these cars to dedicate a collection of other crimes,” Commander Duane Mabry with the Columbus Division of Police advised WCMH in April. “What they’re carrying out is peeling the column and utilizing a USB — or whatever they can find nearby — to flip the ignition and then steal the car or truck.”
A statement issued to NBC News by a Kia spokesperson on Monday mentioned that the company is conscious of the rise in car or truck thefts.
“All 2022 versions and trims have an immobilizer used both at the starting of the year or as a jogging adjust. All Kia motor vehicles for sale in the U.S. satisfy or exceed Federal Motor Car Basic safety Standards,” the assertion reads.
The company inspired Kia consumers to get in touch with the Customer Aid Heart at 1-800-333-4542 with issues concerning their Kia car.
A assertion issued to NBC News by a spokesperson for TikTok stated that the social media platform “does not condone this actions which categorically violates our policies and will be taken out if uncovered on our system.”
In the Hilliard Division of Police’s Facebook write-up, the division encouraged drivers to use theft prevention equipment like a steering wheel lock, parking in a garage when probable, trying to keep doorways locked at all moments, eliminating valuables from cars, and activating alarm systems.
Cristian Santana contributed.
