Growing wave of vehicle theft sweeping through rural Ontario, leaving farmers and residents grappling with threat once thought confined to urban centres

By Andrea McCoy-Naperstkow, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture:

It's a sinking feeling you don't forget. And it's one that more and more Ontarians, including in rural communities, are experiencing: finding yourself the victim of theft.

My experience happened while at a conference of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) - my first one as a new director on the organization's board - in Toronto when my vehicle was stolen out of a hotel parking lot.

Farms and rural communities are increasingly becoming targets too. I've lived in the country my whole life, and I've always felt a sense of safety that comes with knowing your neighbours. But that reality is changing: thefts that once seemed like "city problems" are showing up more and more in our rural communities -- and farmers are often prime targets.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada reports that in Ontario alone, auto theft claims costs increased by 524 per cent between 2018 and 2023 and reached more than $1 billion annually for the first time in 2023. Actions by the Ontario government to crack down on auto thefts are providing some relief, but the problem remains a significant one.

The OFA recently hosted a webinar with on the topic featuring a constable from Perth County OPP. He noted that in rural areas, rising drug addictions are a key driver behind vehicle thefts - and trucks and SUVs, particularly newer models, are attractive targets.

The way cars are stolen is becoming more sophisticated too. Many stolen vehicles are shipped overseas or stripped for parts, and thieves increasingly using technology to make thefts quick and quiet.

The good news is that many thefts are preventable, according to police, but to protect yourself, it's important to know the main ways vehicles are stolen. Four of the most common methods include:

Relay attacks: Thieves use a device to pick up the signal from your key fob inside your house and transmit it to your car, unlocking and starting it.

Break and enter: A smashed window is cheap to replace if it lets someone steal a truck worth $80,000.

OBD-II attacks: Thieves plug into your vehicle's diagnostic port to program a new key and disable security systems.

Tow truck thefts: More common in cities but growing. They simply lift and haul your vehicle away.

It's also still very common -- especially on farms -- to leave vehicles running or unlocked, and while that might feel safe, it's an easy opportunity for a thief to simply get in your vehicle and drive away.

Some people will simply believe that's what insurance is for, but as someone who has been through this, I know from experience that the real costs go well beyond the deductible.

There's the financial hit of higher insurance premiums and lost time dealing with paperwork, insurance adjusters, towing companies and repair businesses. There's the emotional and psychological toll -- the violation of knowing someone was bold enough to take what's yours, and the stress of trying settle a claim. And there's the broader societal impact: stolen vehicles are often used to commit other crimes, putting everyone at risk.

Not every theft is preventable, but there are many things that can be done to make ourselves less of a target:

Always lock your doors and never leave keys in the ignition. Park inside a locked garage if possible, or in well-lit, visible areas. Keep keys and fobs stored well away from doors and windows -- preferably in a Faraday pouch, an inexpensive way to block electronic signals. Consider immobilizers, steering wheel locks, and audible alarms. Install cameras or motion lights around your yard.

If a theft does happen, call police right away and provide as much detail as possible. Notify your insurance company and keep track of all communications about the file. Ask them to review the claim steps with you so you know what to expect. And if your vehicle is recovered and needs repair, don't make any payments until you're satisfied with the completed work.

OFA also works with and supports Crime Stoppers to raise awareness of crime prevention. The organization is known for their anonymous tip lines where people who've witnessed a crime can make a report, as well as for the cash rewards they pay if a tip leads to a crime being solved,

Farmers are facing more threats than ever -- from trespassing to digital scams -- and staying safe means adapting how we do things. It's worth taking a few extra minutes to lock up and being aware of your surroundings.

OFA's webinar on theft prevention is available here: https://youtu.be/uGwRSaqMIGc.

To learn more about how to protect your assets, visit: https://ofa.on.ca/resources/securing-your-assets/

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