Is it just used car dealers installing these devices into vehicles?
No! GPS tracking devices can also be installed by the new car dealerships. Banks and specialized vehicle finance lenders sometimes require new car dealers to install these tracking devices in order to approve the loan , and in some cases, new car dealers offer to install a tracking device to get the loan approved by the lender. Title loan businesses have also recently started using GPS tracking devices.
How do I know if I have a GPS tracking device installed in my vehicle?
Unless you had a rare occurrence where the dealership informed you, you're not going to know. It is not in their interest to tell you that they will be able to locate the vehicle anytime they want. You can attempt to locate a device in your vehicle but most are well installed and hidden inside the vehicle.
How do I remove a GPS device if I find it?
We always recommend you have it removed by an experienced technician. These devices are interfaced into your vehicles wiring and removing them yourself could result in damage to the vehicle. For Liability reasons, it is our policy not to instruct you on the removal of these devices.
What if I just tell the dealership to remove it?
That's not going to happen. If they are aware that you are aware, they will just re-install it into a more secure location and tell you it was removed.
What type of information does the dealer or finance company get from having this device in my vehicle?
The technology in today's systems allow the dealer or lender to obtain any location the vehicle is driven to and from. The longer the device is installed, the more information about you will be recorded. Your residence, workplace, people you visit, places you go, your driving habits will be accessible at anytime by many different people with the click of a mouse. (video below)
How does GPS tracking work?
In the simplest of explanations, It's a lot like having a smart phone that's always on installed in your vehicle. The device uses GPS satellites to pinpoint the vehicles location. It is constantly monitoring many functions and its location. The end user, who is the dealer, can get on any computer and remotely access by "calling" your device through the internet using tracking and mapping software. Your current and past location(s) can be viewed in moments.
What are the risks of having a GPS tracking device installed in my vehicle?
Well besides it being a total violation of your right to privacy there have been many issues regarding the use of GPS tracking. Some dealers have the capability to shut down the starter on the vehicle making it inoperable. There have been cases of devices falling out of the dash into the driver pedals, vehicles being shutdown in error, owners being followed by repossession companies, and even dealers shutting down vehicles while they are moving resulting in near collisions. We have recently removed a device from a vehicle whose owner was fired after being late to work because the dealer disabled the vehicle after being only 1 day late on her payment.