Philadelphia police kicked off a major new campaign Thursday to help protect your car from theft.

Investigators say car theft has gone high-tech, where thieves will hack and reprogram your car's key fob, or a different key fob that they can match to your car.

"They're using technology to take over keyless entry, key fobs, copy it remotely and steal your car," Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said.

In the "Together, We Can Prevent Auto Theft" campaign, officers will be going door-to-door in areas they've identified as hot spots for vehicle theft.

They want to teach car owners about the best, practical ways to protect their vehicles.

Lt. Brian Geer recommended that anyone who keeps their car keys or key fob within signal range of their car purchase a protective RFID signal-blocking bag. These bags retail for as low as $6 for a pack of two that can attach to your keychain. 

You can also pick up RFID protection for your phone, and a secure box to hold keys at home, plus the keychain bag, for about $27, he said.

Without a method to block the signal, a thief can perform what's called a "relay attack," where they use a device to hone in on your key fob's signal, then duplicate it and unlock or even drive away your vehicle. Police say the peak hours for these thefts are between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Philadelphia police issued the following tips:

• Lock your vehicles
• Never leave your car running unattended
• Use theft deterrents such as a steering wheel lock, car alarm, kill switch and an onboard diagnostic lock
• Never leave your key fob by the front door unless stored in a bag or box that blocks electromagnetic fields, known as a Faraday bag or RFID signal-blocking bag 
• Park in well-lit or visible areas when possible
• Check with your dealership for vehicle anti-theft updates
• Report suspicious activity immediately

In 2023, CBS News Philadelphia reported on a spike in car thefts, with nearly 24,000 vehicles stolen in just one year.

The number dropped to about 15,800 in 2024. This year, about 14,000 vehicles have been stolen, up 3% from this time last year.

One way to cut down on car thefts is to go old school. Officers will be handing out steering wheel locks to car owners.