Authorities in Philadelphia suspect that a recent rash of car thefts and break-ins is related to a current TikTok challenge that specifically targets two of the most well-known car brands.
According to investigators, even a simple USB connection is being used by criminals to learn how to hotwire vehicles. There are detailed instructions in a since-deleted TikTok video.
The police think the thieves are especially going for Kia and Hyundai vehicles. Anti-theft bars for ignition-model cars and immobilizers for newer models are recommended by automakers.
The ignition system of John McIntyre’s Hyundai was broken. Police were looking into two car thefts and three other similar break-ins.
In order to better understand the issue, Philadelphia police are gathering information on the number of Hyundai and Kia vehicles that have been broken into or stolen. Residents are growing irritated in the meantime. Dan Foker stated, “They’re going to get caught sooner or later, it’s not that funny.”
Since then, a Philadelphia law firm has joined an Ohio business in a class action complaint against Hyundai and Kia, claiming that the cars lack anti-theft technology.