Rural theft is on the rise — here’s how to protect yourself

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% 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.