Is There a Tracker on Your Car? Here’s How to Check.
Many people are familiar with Apple ‘AirTags,’ which are tiny, button-like devices about the size of a Canadian quarter. Canadians commonly use these tracking tools to track wallets, keys, luggage, cars, and even children’s school bags. Their popularity stems from their user-friendly nature—requiring no specialized knowledge to operate—and their ability to evade quick detection. However, these same attributes make them a dangerous tool in the hands of criminals who use them to track and steal vehicles.
Recently, police in various parts of Canada have warned motorists about the widespread use of these devices in car thefts as they crack down on car theft rings.
On August 20, 2026, in Toronto, the Halton Regional Police arrested 25-year-old Darryl Davance from Saint-Jérôme, Quebec. He was linked to the theft of more than a dozen vehicles in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), which he targeted using tracking devices placed on all his victims’ cars.
Police executed several search warrants related to the investigation, connecting Davance to 14 stolen Toyota and Lexus vehicles reported stolen between March and August. As part of their investigation, police released video footage showing the suspect placing a tracking device under a vehicle parked at Sherway Gardens. In the footage, he pulls up alongside the car in another vehicle and disappears within seconds.
Halton police report that vehicle thieves often target busy public places such as shopping malls and hotel parking lots. They may discreetly attach GPS or Bluetooth tracking devices to target vehicles—under trailer hitches, in side mirrors, wheel wells, or bumpers—and then monitor the vehicle’s location through an app. This allows them to wait until the vehicle is parked in a quiet area before executing a theft away from security cameras and potential witnesses.
To protect yourself, police recommend that vehicle owners regularly check for unfamiliar devices, use available apps to detect third-party trackers, and enable their vehicle’s video-recording features while parked.
How Widespread is the Problem?
Police have previously issued similar warnings following reports of tracking devices found hidden in vehicles in Barrie and other parts of Ontario. Similar incidents have also been reported in Calgary and Saskatoon.
An August 12 release from the Waterloo Regional Police Service highlighted the growing trend of “unidentified trackers” being placed on cars and belongings without the owner’s knowledge or consent and advised the public to be vigilant about this new tactic.
WRPS provided a list of the most common locations where criminals may hide these devices:
- Underneath the vehicle
- Behind license plates
- Within trailer hitch assemblies
- Inside wheel wells
- Among personal belongings
- In items stored in or around the vehicle
How to Protect Yourself from These Tracking Devices
Both Apple and Android devices have built-in detection features that alert users when a tracking device is moving with them.
In 2024, Apple and Google jointly released an industry specification called “Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers.” This system alerts users on both iOS and Android devices if a hidden Bluetooth device is tracking them without their knowledge. Users receive a notification on their phones stating: “[Item name] Found Moving with You.” This could include AirTags, Find My accessories, or other industry-standard compatible Bluetooth trackers.
Which iPhones and iPads Can Detect Unwanted Bluetooth Trackers?
Apple states that unwanted tracking notifications for AirTags and other Find My accessories are available on iPhones or iPads running iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, or later.
How to Turn on Unwanted Tracking Notifications for Apple and Android
If you need assistance with this process, please email us at the address at the bottom of this newsletter, and we will be happy to guide you.
Should You Remove a Hidden Tracker?
Police advise residents who find an unknown tracker to avoid handling, removing, or deactivating the device. Instead, contact law enforcement.
WRPS recommends noting when and where you found the device, along with any additional information that could help law enforcement.
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