Atlanta, GA
Impact of TikTok’s ‘Kia Boyz’ trend on Kia, Hyundai car thefts in Atlanta
TikTok automotive theft pattern forces two producers to make adjustments
A TikTok pattern continues to trigger hassle for police and sure automotive homeowners in metro Atlanta. How-to movies posted to the app present thieves tips on how to steal sure Kia and Hyundai automobiles with easy instruments. Greater than 8 million automobiles are estimated to be in danger.
ATLANTA – A TikTok pattern continues to trigger hassle for police in metro Atlanta.
How-to movies on the social media platform present thieves tips on how to steal sure Kia and Hyundai automobiles.
Because the Kia and Hyundai theft problem kicked off final summer time, Atlanta Police say these automotive manufacturers account for a substantial portion of their circumstances.
To date this yr, APD says there’s a almost 500% enhance in comparison with the identical seven-week interval final yr.
“In lower than 5 minutes, he broke in, Youtubed or TikToked tips on how to steal my Kia and made away with it,” mentioned Olivia Garner.
Garner believes her 2014 Kia Rio was focused by thieves who’re a part of a viral social media pattern who use the hashtag: “Kia Boyz.”
The TikTok movies are particular how-to guides that present folks tips on how to steal.
The targets are sure Kia and Hyundai automobiles that use a key, not push begin automobiles.
The fashions concerned lack digital immobilizers and a USB cable can be utilized to bypass the ignition system.
The one that stole Garner’s automotive this manner, totaled it.
“He did $9 grand of harm to my automotive in lower than two days and made it a complete loss,” she mentioned.
“It is positively a recreation to them,” mentioned Lt. Justin Strom with Atlanta Police.
Strom is from APD’s Auto Theft Unit.
In response to numbers FOX 5 obtained, thieves stole greater than 3 times as many Kia and Hyundai automobiles in Atlanta in 2022 than in 2021.
“That takes away time from different crimes that we could possibly be attempting to unravel,” Lt. Strom mentioned.
APD says it has arrested upwards of 100 folks in connection to the crimes and roughly 90% of these are youngsters underneath 18.
To try to forestall thefts, Hyundai and Kia are updating software program that may require the important thing to be within the ignition to activate. The updates will probably be achieved on the vendor in phases over the approaching months.
“It is simply unlucky that that is turning into such a rash, brazen incident,” Garner mentioned.
APD will quickly hand out steering wheel locks supplied by the automakers for affected vehicles.
The U.S. Division of Transportation says the social media problem has not simply resulted in stolen automobiles, but in addition at the very least 14 crashes and eight deaths.
Kia homeowners with questions could contact our Buyer Care workforce instantly at 1-800-333-4542 (4KIA). As well as, a particular part of the Proprietor’s Portal at Kia.com has been revealed for homeowners to analysis software program improve eligibility and availability, and obtain extra info on ordering a steering wheel lock if relevant at https://homeowners.kia.com/us/en/kia-owner-portal.html/.