The Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office is sponsoring an event to give away free anti-theft devices to owners of Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
Why those makes? Because they have been stolen at an alarming rate in recent years since a Tik Tok video exposed a vulnerability that allows many models to be started without a key.
Before 2020, the South Korean autos were stolen at a comparable rate to other cars, but thefts increased more than 1,000% between 2020 and 2023, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute, an industry group that tracks insurance rates.
The phenomenon was driven in part by a viral video showing many models made between 2011 and 2022 lack a device called an immobilizer that prevents them from being started without a key.
In response, the DA’s Auto Theft and Insurance Fraud Task Force will distribute free steering wheel lock devices to the owners of Kia and Hyundai vehicles.
The event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. May 8 at the AAA East Central office, 2072 Downyflake Lane, Allentown.
