Car security tracker company with no security!

[tsteenholdt]

I’ve just called a well known car security tracker company and had a conversation something like this:

Me: I’m selling my car on Friday and would like to cancel my subscrption.

Tracker Company: Certainly sir, please can I have your name and registration number:

Me: gave name and registration number

Tracker Company: Would you like it decommissioned today?

Me: No, Friday. Do I need to confirm this in writing?

Tracker Company: Officially yes, but don’t worry we’ll just deactivate it and all you really have to do is cancel your direct debit.

Me: So I definitely don’t need to confirm in writing and it will be deactivated on Friday.

Tracker Company: Yes


Unbelievable! They didn’t ask me any security questions or go through the security procedure set up when I had the tracking device installed, and were happy to deactivate the system today without me confirming in writing!

A scenario springs to mind: Car owner on holiday, thieves break into house, find tracker company’s literature somewhere and car in garage, find owners name on all kinds of stuff around house. Call tracker company, get tracker deactivated without needing to give any password or security information and disappear with the car!

[Podie]

Complain! (CarZee - sounds like a job for you!)

State the scenario that comes to mind... why have I wasted my money etc? and copy it to your insurance company for a laugh.

[judas]

I know this isn't the place for 'naming and shaming' but I've just paid to have a tracker fitted to my new Tuscan. Please contact me through my profile and let me know what company it was so I can take it up with the dealer who fitted it - maybe they can give them grief and tell them to get their act together!

[andyvdg]

...err followed up with "my car has just been stolen and I've told the police" and "please reactivate the account".

Simple.

[ninja_eli]

Could you also email me through my profile and let me know who the company is too, thanks!!

[TJMurphy]

And another request for the name of the company through e-mail please.

Actually, this is bad enough that I think you should post the name of the company up here. Bit of a chance they might get to hear about it and tighten their procedures.

[yertis]

And me because I'm just about to set up my subscrption... is it the one operated in association with the RAC?

[PetrolTed]

I've asked for details on this so I can check out the facts. It may not be as bad as has been made out as depending which system is being referred to the systems may not actually be 'deactivated'. It can just be an accounting procedure.

I'll follow up as necessary and report back.

[TSS]

PetrolTed said: I've asked for details on this so I can check out the facts. It may not be as bad as has been made out as depending which system is being referred to the systems may not actually be 'deactivated'. It can just be an accounting procedure.

I'll follow up as necessary and report back.

Ted, I've emailed you the details.

The impression given on the phone was definitely that they would decommission the system the same day if I wanted. As I’m not trading the car in until Friday I asked them to wait until then. (I subsequently changed this to Saturday just in case there are any problems when I go to swap cars at the dealer).

Having phoned my credit card company last night to cancel the direct debit, I found that I do need to give written notice to cancel the my subscrption payments. But written notice appears to be unnecessary to have the system decommissioned

[TSS]

andyvdg said: ...err followed up with "my car has just been stolen and I've told the police" and "please reactivate the account".

Simple.

Agreed, but if you're lying on a beech somewhere you wouldn't know your car has been stolen. The car won't have alerted the tracker company to the fact it has been moved because the system has been switched off. It could easily be on a boat to somewhere before you get home.

Admittedly my system is not a proactive one, i.e. I have to call them to say the car is missing. But my point is that they should not shut down a system without going through a security check.


>> Edited by TSS on Thursday 14th November 10:55