By the Master Locksmith team · October 9, 2026
Key fob car theft is on the rise in Montgomery County, with thieves going after push-to-start vehicles by copying the signal from their fobs. Montgomery County police say auto theft is up about 20% in 2026 compared with last year, and they believe signal-copying devices are a big part of the rise. If you drive a car with a key fob, a few changes to how you store and manage your keys make you a much harder target, and this post walks through them.
What police are seeing with key fob car theft in Montgomery County
This summer, Bethesda Magazine reported that Montgomery County police had recorded a roughly 20% increase in auto thefts countywide in 2026. Police told the publication that devices able to scan and copy key fob radio signals may be driving both car thefts and thefts from cars, and that push-to-start vehicles are the ones most exposed.
NBC4 Washington reported that county police call these tools “replicators” and that the makes being targeted locally include Kia, Hyundai, Infiniti and Honda. Police also said the method takes some trial and error and does not work on every vehicle, which is part of why simple habits make a difference.
Police have pointed out that stolen cars are often stripped for parts or used in other crimes. That is one more reason to report a theft right away.
How a key fob signal can be copied
A smart key fob talks to your car by radio. When you press a button, or when you walk up to a car with keyless entry, the fob and the car exchange a coded signal and the car decides whether to open and start.
The devices police describe pick up that signal from nearby and try to reuse or relay it. In plain terms, the thief is borrowing your fob’s voice without ever touching the fob. That is why the risk is highest when the fob sits close to the car or close to an outside wall, such as on a hook by the front door or on a nightstand facing a driveway or parking lot.
You do not need to understand the electronics. You only need to control where the fob’s signal can reach and which keys your car still recognizes.
Everyday steps that make your car a harder target
These come from the advice Montgomery County police have given drivers this year, plus a few habits we suggest to our own automotive customers.
- Keep fobs in a signal-blocking pouch at home. Police recommend a Faraday bag for push-to-start fobs. To check that yours works, put the fob inside, stand next to your own car and try the door handle. If the car opens, the pouch is not blocking the signal.
- Move the key bowl away from the front door. A fob stored deeper inside the house, away from exterior walls, is harder to reach from outside.
- Use a steering wheel lock. Police say steering wheel locks are effective, and the county has been handing them out at district police stations while supplies last.
- Add a tracking device. Police suggest a GPS tracker or a small tag hidden in the car so officers can find it faster if it is taken.
- Lock up and park in light. Keep the car locked, park in well-lit spots when you can, and take valuables out of sight.
- Never leave a key or fob inside the car, and never leave the engine running unattended, even for a quick stop.
Lighting matters more over the next few weeks. Clocks fall back on November 1, and many of us will be walking to cars in the dark after work. If your building’s garage or parking lot is poorly lit, tell your property manager now.
Know how many keys your car will accept
Most drivers have no idea how many keys or fobs their car has been programmed to accept. Used cars are the biggest blind spot. A previous owner may have kept a spare, or a fob may have gone missing years ago and still be stored in the car’s memory.
Every working fob is a door into your car. If you cannot account for all of them, it is worth having the keys checked and reprogrammed. On many vehicles, programming a new set of keys lets the car drop the ones you no longer have, so a lost or stolen fob stops working. Whether that is possible depends on the make and model, and we tell you what your car supports before any work starts.
Master Locksmith does car key and fob programming on site for most domestic and foreign makes. A technician comes to your driveway, garage or parking spot in a service van, so you do not have to arrange a tow or a trip to the dealer.
If your fob is lost or stolen
A missing fob is more than an inconvenience right now. Treat it as an open door until you deal with it.
- If the car itself is gone, call the police first. Montgomery County police say a quick report puts the vehicle’s details into the national database that license plate readers check, which helps officers recover cars.
- Gather your paperwork. Have your vehicle’s make, model and year ready, along with your registration or title and ID. A professional locksmith will ask for proof of ownership before making or programming a key, and you should be wary of anyone who does not.
- Replace the missing key and update the programming. Our car key replacement service covers cutting and programming a new key or fob, and where your car allows it, removing the missing one from its memory.
- Get a spare at the same visit. A second programmed key means one lost fob never leaves you stranded.
If your car is recovered after a theft, check that your keys still work normally and that the ignition turns or the start button responds the way it did before. Damage around the steering column or start button should be looked at before you rely on the car again.
Questions drivers ask us about key fob security
Will a Faraday pouch drain or damage my fob?
No. A pouch only blocks the radio signal while the fob is inside. You take it out to drive as usual. A fob battery that is getting weak will show up the same way with or without a pouch, usually as a shorter range or a “key not detected” message.
Can a locksmith make a new fob if I have lost every key?
In most cases, yes. We can cut and program keys and fobs on site for most domestic and foreign makes without an original key. We confirm what is possible for your specific car and give you a clear quote and an honest ETA before a technician is dispatched.
Does a steering wheel lock still help if someone has copied my fob signal?
Yes. A copied signal may open and start the car, but a locked steering wheel still has to be dealt with before anyone can drive away, and it is easy to see from outside the car.
Get your car keys checked in Montgomery County
If you are not sure how many fobs your car accepts, or one has gone missing, we can usually program new keys and drop lost ones from the car’s memory in a single visit, where your vehicle allows it. We serve drivers across Montgomery County from our base in Silver Spring, with same-day service Monday through Saturday, 7am to 11pm, and Sunday, 8am to 6pm, and no hidden fees.
Call Master Locksmith at (301) 888-5152 to get your keys sorted.
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