The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) is warning residents about the potential misuse of smart tracking devices after receiving reports of unidentified trackers found on personal property and vehicles.
Bluetooth trackers are commonly used to locate items such as keys, wallets, luggage and other valuables. The devices use Bluetooth technology and nearby mobile phones to provide location updates and help owners recover misplaced belongings. But police said they are increasingly seeing trackers placed on vehicles and personal belongings without the owner’s knowledge.
“It could be used as a stalking device by putting it in someone’s purse or in their jacket, or in a vehicle, and then tracking the motions of that individual,” said Ritesh Kotak, a tech and cybersecurity strategist.
Police said unauthorized trackers could be used to monitor a person’s movements and daily routine.
WRPS Const. Chris Iden said the devices could be used in cases involving criminal harassment, intimate partner violence or other crimes.
“It could be used in a situation where maybe a vehicle is being tracked to see when it’s being unoccupied as an opportunity,” he said.
Police said offenders could use the information to identify opportunities to commit crimes, including vehicle theft, theft from vehicles and break-and-enters.
Where can a tracker be hidden?
Police said trackers can be concealed in a number of locations on or inside a vehicle, including underneath the vehicle, behind licence plates, inside trailer hitch assemblies and within wheel wells. They can also be hidden among personal belongings or other items stored in or around a vehicle.
Iden said offenders may choose locations that are both easily accessible and difficult to spot.
“When people are putting these things into a vehicle, they’re not there for a long amount of time,” he said. “They want to be in and out quickly. So, that’s why it’s anywhere that’s quick, accessible, but also hidden at the same time.”
Kotak said the technology can potentially track someone wherever they go.
“Geography doesn’t really matter,” he said. “That tag, wherever it is, if it’s placed on you, it can essentially follow you around the world.”
Police are encouraging residents to periodically inspect their vehicles and personal belongings for unfamiliar devices and to pay attention to any alerts from their smartphones.
What to do if you find an unknown tracker
Police said residents should take the discovery of an unfamiliar tracker seriously, although there may be legitimate reasons for a device to be present in some circumstances.
If you find an unknown tracker, police recommend:
- Contacting police as soon as possible.
- Avoiding handling, removing or disabling the device, if possible.
- Noting when and where the device was found.
- Providing investigators with any information that could help determine why it was placed there.
Public safety analyst Chris Lewis said people who discover a tracker should prioritize their own safety.
“Pull over somewhere safe, somewhere well-lit, somewhere where there’s lots of people, and notify the police,” he said.
Iden said leaving the device in place can also help investigators.
“There could be information on there, depending on where it was located, it helps the investigation.”
WRPS continue to investigate reports involving unauthorized tracking devices. Anyone who discovers an unfamiliar tracker is encouraged to contact investigators at 519-570-9777.
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