A North Carolina woman says she believes her car was stolen as a result of the viral ‘Kia Challenge’ leaving her to pay hundreds to fix it: ‘It is ridiculous’

• A North Carolina lady says that her automotive was stolen as a result of viral ‘Kia Problem.’

• Rachel Bestman, who shared her story on Tik Tok, mentioned that her automotive was taken on Monday.

• Theives have been posting movies on the best way to steal Kia and Hyundai automobiles through the use of a USB wire

For twenty-four-year-old Rachel Bestman, her automotive was her new starting.

Bestman, a Charlotte, North Carolina resident, lately bought a Hyundai Elantra, a automotive she mentioned she beloved.  Nevertheless, her world turned the wrong way up when she realized that her automobile was not in its regular spot on Monday.

Bestman was leaving her residence advanced to move to work at round 10:30 p.m when she seen that her automotive was lacking.

“I used to be in denial for about three strong minutes,” Bestman advised Insider, including that she was in misery. “I walked via the parking zone like, ‘It is my fault. I misplaced my automotive.”

Bestman mentioned a safety guard who labored for the advanced approached her and referred to as the tow yard to assist find her automotive. She was knowledgeable that her automotive was towed after it was discovered on the exit of one other residence advanced a number of blocks from the place she lives.

“The upkeep man advised the tow driver that there have been 4 males hanging from my doorways prefer it was a jungle fitness center, and when he approached the automotive, all of them fled,” she mentioned. “The ignition had been taken aside, and the automotive had two busted tires.”

She later discovered of the “Kia Problem,” which has been going viral on social media, significantly on Tik Tok.

She now believes she is a sufferer of a social media competitors.

As Insider’s Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert beforehand reported, persons are posting movies on-line displaying tutorial movies that share the steps of the best way to steal a automotive — significantly Kia and Hyundai— through the use of solely a USB charging wire after damaging the ignition.

“The mentality of individuals to even take somebody’s hard-earned cash and simply trash it’s ridiculous,” Bestman mentioned. “To seek out out it was over a development. Actually, it put the icing on the cake. It was an actual downer for me.”

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Native police lately warned residents concerning the rise in automotive thefts

Auto thefts have elevated in cities throughout the county, together with in Charlotte. In a July 25 tweet, the Charlotte- Mecklenburg Police division shared that “virtually 200 vehicles have been stolen throughout the final 2 weeks.”

In keeping with native information, the division information reveals that there was an uptick in Hyundai and Kia thefts. Moreover, based on Fox 8 in North Carolina, legislation enforcement mentioned that the entire latest automotive theft incidents present injury to the ignition. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police didn’t reply to Insider’s request for remark.

Kia and Hyundai responded to the incident in statements to USA TODAY, emphasizing their concern concerning the latest thefts, and added that their automobiles “meet or exceed” the Federal Motor Car Security Requirements.

Bestman shared her story on TikTok to lift consciousness

Earlier this week, Bestman shared her expertise in an emotional video on TikTok that has garnered over 11 million views.

“If I might stop this from taking place to anyone else, that is the aim,” Bestman advised Insider.”That was the entire aim of the video, and I really feel actually good that I did that or that the notice is on the market, I actually do. And folks have been very supportive.”

Insider reached out to Outlaw Towing on Saturday and the proprietor Shannon, who declined to provide his final identify, confirmed he towed her automotive, which had injury to the ignition and two flat tires.

Since Bestman shared her story on TikTok, Shannon mentioned that he has been bombarded with calls, though he doesn’t produce other vehicles with comparable injury as Bestman in his tow yard.

“Since [Bestman] posted the TikTok, I hold getting calls from individuals all around the nation and in Charlotte checking to see if I’ve any Hyundai or Kia as a result of theirs had been stolen, after which persons are checking with me about different vehicles as properly,” Shannon advised Insider. “I simply direct them to name 311 as a result of I haven’t got their automobiles. It isn’t like I tow each stolen automotive in Charlotte.”

Bestman mentioned that she’s now caught with a number of payments to restore the automotive and pay the tow firm as a result of this incident however is grateful to those that have been serving to her throughout this time.

“I have been receiving Money Apps, which nearly overwhelms me,” she mentioned. “To really feel the love and see the assist from strangers who do not owe me kindness, they usually’re not those that took my automotive … I am actually simply grateful.”

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