The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), along with the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud and the International Association of Special Investigation Units, has despatched a joint letter to YouTube requesting the social media platform to take down all movies that present “how to” tutorials on carjacking Kia and Hyundai vehicles.
The organizations moved in response to the sudden spike in auto theft instances involving vehicles manufactured by Kia and Hyundai. It was discovered that sure vehicles – such because the Kia Rio and the Hyundai Accent – lack pc chips for theft “immobilizer” programs, permitting thieves to simply begin the automotive and drive them away. Some thieves have even made tutorial movies on tips on how to carry out the theft process utilizing only a screwdriver and a USB cable, which have been shared on platforms comparable to YouTube and TikTok.
“Everyday shoppers are being victimized by criminals utilizing social media platforms to be taught their latest unlawful tips and methods,” mentioned NICB CEO David Glawe. “Some platforms should not doing sufficient to guard harmless victims from pointless hurt.”
In their letter to YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, the trade organizations acknowledge that different social media platforms like TikTok have to do extra to stop these kinds of movies from being shared. But the letter additionally careworn that YouTube has did not take away many of those movies.
Citing information from varied police departments throughout the US, NICB mentioned that there have been “drastic increases” in Kia and Hyundai thefts in America for the reason that movies have been made. These thefts embrace:
- Chicago: 601 Kia and Hyundai automobiles have been stolen in August 2022, in comparison with simply 58 in August 2021, in accordance with the Cook County Sheriff’s Department.
- Los Angeles: An 85% enhance in Kia and Hyundai thefts have been dedicated in 2022 in comparison with 2021, in accordance with Los Angeles police officers.
- St. Louis: 48% of the three,970 motor automobiles reported stolen in 2022 (via August) have been Kia and Hyundai fashions, in contrast with solely 7% of the entire automobiles stolen in 2021, in accordance with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
- Milwaukee (the place the unique video was filmed): Two-thirds of the 5,144 automobiles stolen in 2021 (via July) have been Kia and Hyundai fashions.
“Insurance fraud is the crime all of us pay for. Posting of movies comparable to these harms American shoppers by rising auto thefts and driving up larger premiums. It is time for practices comparable to these to cease. We can all play a component in combating insurance coverage crime,” mentioned Coalition Against Insurance Fraud government director Matthew Smith.
“Enabling criminals to share the instruments and methods of their commerce via posting movies on-line adversely impacts all shoppers,” added International Association of Special Investigation Units president Celeste Dodson.
On the topic of auto theft, Massachusetts signed a invoice earlier this month that establishes penalties for the unauthorized sale of catalytic converters, in an try and curb the rampant theft of high-priced auto components.