Woman Uses Daughter's Key To 'Steal' Car

A college student who reported that his car was stolen got a surprise when he learned a woman had mistaken it for her daughter's car and taken it- using her key.

[concerned person]

WOW, that seems like something that would only happen on a TV lifetime show or something. If her key fit that man's car and it wasn't even his her daughter car, that is some serious business there. But things like that should not be placed on the news, because I think it gives the car theives more ideals now. I just pray to GOD that my car will never be a victim of theft.
I am glad that was just a simple misunderstanding on the lady part that took the car. I seriously think that the makers of the Camry need to think twice before making a key lock for the next car.

[David]

I also suffered from a case of mistaken "identikey". When I first started driving in the 1970's we had an old 60's era Pontiac that became my car when the family got a new car. There was (what I assumed to be) a spare key on the kitchen key rack and I always used that whenever I needed to drive my car. Since theft was never a problem back then, I never locked the car doors. However, one Friday evening, after promising several people a ride home after the school dance, I found that I couldn't get into the car that for some reason I had decided to lock. It turns out that the "spare" key was actually a relic from a 1950's Pontiac that my parents previously owned. The key from that car fit the ignition from its replacement, but didn't fit the door locks. Now, whenever I drive a car for the first time, I always make sure that the key fits the door lock as well as the ignition.

[Not so concerned]

I agree that it may give people with malicious intent an idea, but like the article said, the car was about 20 years old and the key technology was not as sophisticated back then. I have a 2007 Camry and I feel perfectly secure in knowing that this probably won't happen to me since they have come so far with computer chips in the key and other technology to assist in making sure this does not happen. Thankfully, for everyone involved it was an honest mistake and was recognized as such by all parties. There are people out there that would have made it a lot worse than it needed to be. Kudos to how they handled this bizarre situation.

[Sounds Familiar]

I had a similar experience with my Nissian Truck. However, after unlocking the door and getting in I realized it wasn't mine. I jumped out and looked around to see if anyone was watching thinking that they might think I was trying to steal it.

[cmn]

I too have found myself sticking my key into a car door only to find that it didn't work and then realized that it was not my own. I also did the quick look around to see if anyone was watching.

[Nick]

I took my firt car (a used 54 Chevy) in to be worked on at the dealer and when it came time for it to be taken inside, they couldn't find the key I had given them, so just "for the hell of it" the mechanic tried the key for his personal '68 and it worked like a charm. They found my key before I picked it up so I didn't have to borrow the mechanic's key.

[Tom]

My Dad has a 2004 Dodge RAM1500 Pickup and I have a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. He borrowed my Jeep one day and unlocked the doors of the Jeep and started the SUV just to find out I still had the keys to the Jeep and he was using the keys to his Pickup truck!

[ALW]

I use to live in an apartment complex. My neighbor and I both had a Ford Escort that was the same make , color and year. I jumped in the car and got around the block before I realized it was not my car. It was a little hard to unlock the door but,I thought it was because of the cold weather.

[newdon35]

Well as Toyota said, technology has changed. This is surely what is called "a honest mistake".

[newdon35]

I hope she gave the student a tank of gas for his troubles.

[Angie]

This is not uncommon. It happen to me. Someone using their own toyota car keys took my car drove to lunch and then returned with the car. They assume the car was theirs. It was a Toyota, same color, same make. The funny thing was they worked in my same building. I had called the cops, and they were there processing the information when the other party arrived back from lunch with my car! It was very scary! And I got rid of the car! Sold it!

[JAK]

Wow...Who uses a key to unlock a car door anymore? lol