How The U.S. Is Cracking Down On Catalytic Convert Theft Rings and Car Theft

You know Catalytic thefts are getting serious when the federal government gets involved. From relentless viral Tik Tok trends promoting Kia and Hyundai car thefts to city-wide catalytic converter rings raking in record profits for stolen car parts, the United States is taking on the outrageous spike in vehicle crimes in America.

According to Findlaw.com, catalytic converter theft has ramped up 300% every year. Since the lockdowns, almost every state across the nation has witnessed the drastic number of thefts rising. If you've realized it or not, catalytic converter thieves have targeted numerous vehicles ranging from utility work trucks and vans to small compacts like the Toyota Prius. Even popular family SUVs and trucks have caught the eye of thieves for their larger-size catalytic converters. Whether it's nighttime or the afternoon lunch hour, your vehicle could become the next statistic if left unattended and unguarded.

Who & Why are People Stealing Catalytic Converters?

There is no question as to who is stealing catalytic converters. It's scrap metal thieves who seek a quick buck and could care less about your vehicle or the environment's health. It is easy to sell a stolen converter to a scrap metal buyer or any precious metal dealer who has the heated furnace and few tools it takes to melt down the platinum, rhodium, and palladium found inside the converter's body. These precious and expensive metals can sell between $1000 and $3000 on today's market.

Catalytic converters are just one of the things that has become easy to steal in recent years. There has also been a drastic uptick in grand theft auto for KIA and Hyundai models.

The Increase of KIA and Hyundai Thefts Due to Lack of Immobilizers

Not only are thieves stealing catalytic converters from neighborhood cars but KIA and Hyundai vehicles have also been targeted by petty thieves, primarily teenagers looking for a midnight joyride with their friends. Recently a viral Tik Tok video titled "The Kia Boys" has sparked a trend where teenagers are breaking into Kia and Hyundai cars. The social media videos started in Milwaukee and have since spread to LA and Chicago, where stolen car reports have surged over 800%. After removing the steering column cover on vehicles with key-ignition starters, all it takes is a USB chord to turn the ignition tumbler that starts the vehicle. Push-button start models are more difficult to hack, but if your Kia or Hyundai model has the traditional key start, you're at risk.

What Does an Immobilizer Do for Kia & Hyundai Models?

The Immobilizer is a theft-deterrent feature that utilizes a chip transponder that identifies the key match to your vehicle. Unfortunately, older models between 2010 and 2021, like the Kia Rio, Sportage, and Accent are the main targets because many of these models lack the immobilizer piece on the steering column.

However, only those models that still use a turn-key ignition, not the push-button start, are at the most risk. The Kia Boy trend peaked in the northeast and southern states after the Milwaukee-based Tik Tok channel gained over 33 million video views. Instead of using the traditional screwdriver to fandangle a makeshift key start, thieves are using the USB heads of a phone charger to start the car and steal it. It fits right over the key portion of the cylinder, and can start the car the way the car key would.

The Department of Justice Hits Catalytic Converter King Pins, but The Fight isn't Over

In recent news, the Department of Justice has announced that federal, state, and local law enforcement have begun their execution of finding those criminal kingpins and metal refineries who are stealing millions of dollars worth of catalytic converter metals from communities.

Searches and seizures have ensued in catalytic converter theft hot spots such as California, Minnesota, New York, and New Jersey, as well as Virginia and North Carolina. Across several states so far, at least 21 individuals have been indicted for conspiracy in partaking in a nationwide catalytic converter theft ring. Also, 32 search warrants were executed in effort to find the ring leaders behind the millions of dollars of damage done to cars in recent years.

California alone was responsible for 37% of the catalytic converters stolen nationwide, says the Eastern District of California's Attorney Phillip A. Talbert. He claims his district has indicted at least nine people who were at the center of the converter ring nationwide. A Sacramento, California, family was selling catalytic converters to a New Jersey Autobody chop shop out of their own home. They actually raked in $38 million in stolen catalytic converters over several years.

There has even been legislation brought forth in a handful of states to deter catalytic thieves from reselling converters. Over the summer of 2022, an article by Car & Driver reported the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) tracked 150 pieces of legislation that have gone to the house. Also, a federal bill called the PART Act is in motion in congress. The Preventing Auto Recycle Theft Act was introduced by Indiana Congressman, Jim Baird. The PARTS act has made it easier for law enforcement to track down stolen catalytic converters. Having catalytic converters marked with a VIN identification number makes it tougher to sell or repurchase stolen converters. It also allows cataloging these items into a system to better track where they are being sold or bought. The act also makes it a criminal offense to steal or resell stolen catalytic converters.

Should I Still Protect My Catalytic Converter?

With U.S legislation, the FBI, and local police jurisdictions cracking down on catalytic converter theft, is it still important to protect your catalytic converter? With the hopes that longer jail sentences and higher penalties for catalytic thieves deter crime, desperate criminals will still risk ripping the catalytic converter from your car.

Why take the risk of paying up to $2800+ for a new exhaust converter and labor? The cat security shield guard is one undercarriage plate that offers the best protection against a grimy criminal sliding underneath your car with their electric saw.