With the emergence of high-tech theft, even with the installation of cameras, burglar alarms, and other security systems at home or in a company, they may not be effective. This is because recent thieves have been using new techniques to disrupt Wi-Fi signals, rendering these security systems useless. Police advise residents to take some measures to avoid falling victim to these thieves.
In June of this year, the Florham Park police in New Jersey issued a statement about an incident on Lincoln Avenue. On the morning of June 10, a resident heard a loud noise in his basement. When he checked the surveillance cameras in his home, he saw a stranger attempting to break in. Soon after, the resident’s surveillance cameras and all Wi-Fi signals on his phone were suddenly interrupted, indicating that the suspect was using a Wi-Fi Signal Jammer, causing all Wi-Fi-connected devices to be rendered useless.
Upon realizing that someone was in the house, the suspect immediately fled. Unable to connect to the internet, the victim had to run to the street to ask passersby for help in calling the police. The New Jersey police identified the suspect as a Hispanic male, fitting the characteristics of the “South American Theft Group,” and they are currently searching for the suspect.
Authorities say that while this modus operandi is not common, the method of crime is quite complex. This group, with South American heritage, typically operates in groups of three, conducting reconnaissance on the target street to gather information and setting up surveillance devices disguised as landscape plants around the victim’s residence to determine if the occupants are home. Once the occupants leave the house, they use jamming devices to cut off the Wi-Fi signal, causing all Wi-Fi-connected surveillance devices in the house to fail.
Such theft methods have also been reported in other areas. In March of this year, the Wilshire division of the Los Angeles Police Department experienced multiple theft cases where 3 to 4 suspects used Wi-Fi signal jammers to disable the alarm systems in victims’ homes. They then broke into a house through a second-floor balcony, stealing jewelry, wallets, cash, and other items.
Most modern households rely on Wi-Fi signals for their security systems and surveillance devices, including doorbell cameras.
Police recommend that residents switch their Wi-Fi-connected surveillance devices to wired connections by having network providers or electricians connect the burglar alarm system to the router via cable. By doing so, they can prevent the Wi-Fi jammers from being effective.
Additionally, authorities suggest taking a few basic steps to avoid becoming targets of theft, including:
1. Stay vigilant and report any suspicious individuals or vehicles around your residence promptly to the police.
2. Reinforce sliding doors at the entrance and install motion sensor lights to increase the difficulty for burglars to break in.
3. Install electronic tracking devices on valuable items. For those with easily stealable valuables, the police recommend purchasing Apple AirTags that can be placed inside items for tracking via a smartphone.
4. Secure your circuit breaker. Residents can install padlocks on their circuit breakers to prevent easy access by thieves and tampering with alarm systems.
5. Stay alert. Pay attention to temporary license plates or suspicious vehicles with dealer plates in the community. Have neighbors collect your mail to ensure packages do not accumulate at your doorstep.
In fact, federal law prohibits the unsanctioned marketing and sale of Wi-Fi signal jamming devices. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) stated in a document in April 2020 that using phone jammers, GPS interceptors, or other devices designed to intentionally disrupt or interfere with legal wireless communications violates federal law. Promoting, selling, distributing, importing, or otherwise marketing interference devices to American consumers is deemed illegal.
The New York Daily News reported in March of this year that the FCC is investigating several retailers, including Amazon, for potential violations of the aforementioned laws.
The FCC reminds consumers that if they notice disruptions in their home Wi-Fi, they should immediately contact their provider to check for equipment malfunctions; otherwise, someone may be using jammers for malicious purposes.
If you wish to report individuals suspected of selling signal jammers, you can visit the website https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/filing-informal-complaint or contact the FCC Consumer Complaint Center through FCC.gov.