Making Auto Theft and Recovery Yesterday’s Challenge
Published by AutoTech Outlook, Canada Special, ISSN 2835-9720
Tag Tracking is championing an advanced layered, customer-focused approach to auto theft prevention and recovery. A North American leader in Prevention, Electronic Identification/Etching, vehicle tracking and recovery of stolen vehicles, it has become synonymous with the excellence of risk management programs in Quebec and Ontario, and it has saved close to 200 million dollars for the damage insurance industry in the region.
Leveraging its three decades of industry experience, Tag Tracking has developed a deep reservoir of insights into the complexities of vehicle theft to provide consumers and the damage insurance industry with a very affordable solution coupled with Prevention, Electronic Identification/Etching, vehicle tracking and recovery systems.
Its expertise covers the entire spectrum, from the modus operandi of organized crime syndicates to the various methods used for vehicle exportation and Re-Vining. This ability has powered the company to significantly contribute to minimizing auto theft insurance claims and vehicle financial risk.
“We’re constantly improving, studying habits, patterns and operations to hinder the auto thief’s ability to disable our product, making it very difficult for anyone to neutralize our multi-level system.” says Freddy Marcantonio, vice president of business development.
Layered Protection for Total Security
While car theft poses a significant challenge for many, it is no test for Tag Tracking. It employs a sophisticated, multi-level approach to vehicle protection, beginning with prevention. Permanently etching its logo onto vehicles on passenger and driver’s side windows is the first step.
This serves as a visible yet discreet reminder of the vehicle’s enhanced security, effectively reducing its appeal to potential thieves. According to insurance industry statistics, vehicles protected by Tag Tracking's system experience a significantly lower incidence of theft of over 90%.
Electronic identification forms the second layer of protection. This strategy involves installing a series of cutting-edge Nano-Tags throughout the vehicle. These are miniature, waterproof transponders the size of a grain of rice. The tiny RFID-enabled Nano-Tags are discreetly embedded in vehicle parts, which are highly sought after by thieves. Our miniature transponders each have their own unique serial number. The Nano Tag devices will easily identify the vehicle parts as stolen, making them harder to buy and sell. If the sale of a stolen vehicle part is attempted, these devices act as a warning label, exposing the parts as being obtained illegally.
Tracking and recovery form the third layer; Tag Tracking’s trained technicians conceal a varied number of wireless transmitters throughout a vehicle, making it very challenging for thieves to locate and remove. The tracking transmitters are permanently entrenched throughout the interior or exterior of the vehicle. The installation process ensures that the removal of the transmitters (Tags) cannot be done without causing damage to the vehicle. These transmitters are programmed to emit signals that are received daily by the Tag Tracking security central via our encrypted antenna/infrastructure. All transmissions via the multiple Tag kit units received by our security central are permanently recorded and kept in our protected database. In the event of a theft, these devices are activated in real-time and can be tracked at any time, anywhere in North America.
The Tag units are completely wireless and operate autonomously without interfering with the automobile’s existing mechanical or electronic components. The system's wireless nature assures integration without interrupting vehicle performance or functionality.
Central to Tag Tracking’s operations is a commitment to research and development. While most aftermarket and OEM anti-theft products have a shelf life of two to five years, the company’s consistent innovation has helped its solutions function for nearly 15 years. Vehicles with its technology are renowned for benefiting from a 100 percent recovery rate with a significant reduction in theft incidences.
Pioneering the Anti-Jamming Tech
A critical aspect that sets Tag Tracking apart is its state-of-the-art anti-jamming technology. Thieves, especially those operating within organized crime rings, often rely on jammers to block tracking signals, rendering traditional systems ineffective. The company’s patented anti-jamming feature is specifically designed to tackle this strategy. Tag Tracking’s unique anti-jamming technology is combined with a highly robust and secure communication protocol for maximum reliability.
This technology rooted in each Tag prevents interference by detecting and resisting attempts to disrupt the signal. Even in the presence of a jamming device, Tag Tracking’s system continues to function, with the tracking data remaining intact and accessible around the clock. The system goes a step further by alerting the in-house security central to the presence of a jammer in its vicinity. Prompt action can be taken with immediate notification, whether it's initiating vehicle retrieval or coordinating with law enforcement.
The Architects of Tag’s Legacy
Tag Tracking prides itself on a seasoned and highly skilled team that powers the vehicle recovery warranty of every Tag system. Most managers and directors have been with the company for two decades or more, contributing to a stable and knowledgeable workforce.
Tag Tracking’s team is organized into several specialized departments, each dedicated to different facets of its services and support. The different departments focus on rendering dedicated services to the insurance industry, managing dedicated risk management programs, encompassing ongoing technical training, and providing services to car dealers.
A group of senior support staff officials are also dedicated to providing essential assistance and expertise to various stakeholders, like insurers, law enforcement agencies and port authorities. These services enable Tag to properly endow the requirements needed to conduct its moral and professional duties in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth by the different regulatory boards and in accordance with all applicable laws. These essential services envelop the physical TAG product and strictly pertain to all professional characteristics needed to operate in the reality of auto theft.
In the Event of a Theft
With regard to auto theft, all the reporting elements are of particular importance. The tracking and security department operates internally and externally with a dedicated tracking team. Their work includes capturing detailed photos, documenting theft circumstances trends and compiling thorough reports for insurance company’s claims departments, law enforcement agencies and port authorities. If a vehicle is reported stolen, cutting-edge technology is leveraged to identify its location, and the team springs into action. They promptly use the provided event number to coordinate with law enforcement, facilitating quick recovery. The team informs the police of the vehicle’s location and remains on-site until the appropriate authorities secure it. This meticulous approach minimizes delays and promises an efficient recovery process.
A unique aspect is the team’s exclusive access to Canadian ports, facilitated through special passports issued by the Canadian Border Services Agency. These passports enable the team to enter ports and search containers where stolen vehicles are hidden.
Tag Tracking's culture fosters dedication and shared purpose, uniting employees towards the common goal of combating auto theft. This is evident in its impressive employee retention and satisfaction.
In a world where vehicle theft can strike in the brief moments it takes to warm up a car or grab a coffee from a convenience store, Tag Tracking stands as an alert overseer. Its cutting-edge technology and comprehensive approach guarantee that even the fleeting moments of vulnerability are met with robust protection and swift recovery solutions.