Two workers in Córdoba, Argentina, discovered covert tracking devices on their vehicles this week. The incident, reported by La Voz, revealed a growing surveillance threat using low-cost Bluetooth trackers like the InPlay SeekTag.
The discovery was accidental. A phone notification alerted one victim to an unknown tracker moving with them. The device had logged multiple locations in Villa Carlos Paz. Authorities have not identified who planted the trackers or why.
How These Covert Trackers Work
These trackers use Bluetooth, similar to Apple AirTags. They are commercially sold for legitimate purposes like finding lost keys or bags. But they enable secret tracking when misused.
Unlike traditional GPS trackers, these devices do not need a SIM card or internet connection. They emit radio signals. Nearby smartphones anonymously pick up these signals and update the tracker’s location in the cloud. The person who linked the tracker to their account can follow the vehicle’s movements in real time from anywhere.
How to Detect a Tracker on Your Vehicle
Both Android and iPhone systems have built-in tools to detect unauthorized trackers moving with you. The process differs slightly between platforms.
On Android devices, you can perform a manual scan. Go to Settings, then Security and emergency. Select “Alerts about unknown tracking devices.” Ensure the function is active and tap “Search now.” The scan takes about ten seconds and looks for compatible trackers separated from their owners.
iPhones automatically send notifications if an AirTag or compatible device travels with you during a trip. To receive these alerts, keep Bluetooth, location services, and notifications for the Find My app active. If an alert appears, the app shows a map of the journey and lets you play a sound to locate the tracker physically.
Security Experts Warn Detection Has Limits
Specialists clarify these scans do not catch all tracker models. They may miss larger GPS trackers that use their own cellular networks. The Bluetooth-based trackers are smaller and easier to hide, often using strong magnets to attach to a car’s chassis.
What to Do If You Get an Alert
If you receive a tracking alert, follow these steps. First, verify if the device belongs to someone you know, such as a friend you lent your car to or someone with a shared item like a backpack.
Next, perform a physical inspection. Check common hiding spots like the trunk, under seats, or the undercarriage where magnets might hold a device.
Your phone can help you find it. Use the option to make the tracker emit a sound. This helps you pinpoint its location.
If you find a suspicious device, document it. Take photos of the device, save screenshots of any notifications, and keep any identification data your phone displays. This information is crucial for filing a police report.
Turning off your phone’s Bluetooth or location services is not enough. The tracker will continue broadcasting to other phones nearby. The only way to stop the tracking is to physically remove and disable the device, typically by taking out its battery.
“These Bluetooth trackers create a dangerous blind spot in vehicle security. Their low cost and ease of use make them attractive for stalkers and malicious actors,” said a cybersecurity analyst who spoke with La Voz.
