Three anti-crime organizations have asked YouTube to take down any videos teaching people how to steal Kia and Hyundai cars. The organizations – the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud and the International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU) – made their request in response to an increase in thefts of these vehicles.
The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) reported late last year that bargain Kia and Hyundai vehicles were targeted for theft at prices similar to muscle cars and SUVs, based on an analysis of insurance claims in 2021
. The spike is due in part to the fact that the models that not stolen have electronic immobilizers that prevent thieves from bypassing the ignition.Some thieves have even made instructional videos – shared on platforms such as YouTube and TikTok – on how to carry out the theft procedure with just a screwdriver and a USB cable. Since these videos began appearing on social media, police departments across the United States have reported drastic increases in Kia and Hyundai thefts.
In Chicago, for example, where only 328 Kias were stolen in 2021, more than 3,500 were stolen last year, CBS Chicago reported.
“Everyday consumers are falling prey to criminals who use social media platforms to learn their latest illegal tricks and techniques,” said David Glawe, president and CEO of NICB. “Some platforms are not doing enough to protect innocent victims from unnecessary harm.”
Celeste Dodson, president of the IASIU, added: “When a vehicle is stolen, it is often not the end of the crime but the beginning. Vehicle theft is associated with a variety of criminal activities, including insurance fraud. The cost of these crimes is then passed on to consumers through higher premiums. “
Car insurance premiums for private passengers are experiencing upward pressure due to a variety of factors, including:
- Rising insurance company losses due to increasing accident frequency and severity;
- More deaths and injuries on the road, leading to increased lawyer involvement in claims;
- Continued supply chain issues, leading to rising costs for cars, parts and labor; and
- More expensive car repairs thanks to safer, more technologically sophisticated vehicles.
Theft of vehicles or components such as catalytic converters only increases the pressure to increase speed.
The only way to reduce that pressure is to reduce claims and losses by reducing accidents and theft. Making it harder for people to learn to break the law and cause harm by watching online videos would be a small but necessary step in that direction.
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