ROSEMONT — A surprising new trend on social media has some car owners and law enforcement agencies across the country on high alert.
It’s a challenge on TikTok where users make videos of themselves getting into Hyundais and Kias of a certain make and model. The trend is catching the attention of auto insurance companies.
Rosemont resident Natalie Galeckas says her Hyundai was stolen from her driveway around 10pm on January 19th.
Video from a doorbell camera across the street shows two people pulling up to her driveway, appearing to look inside a 2012 Hyundai before getting in and driving away. He says it took less than two minutes.
“I came out in the morning and it was gone,” Galeckas said.
Galeckas was getting ready for an early morning emergency room shift when he went outside and saw the empty spot in his driveway. She woke her husband to investigate.
“So he came out and sure enough, there was broken glass in the driveway,” Galeckas said.
She reported it to the police who told her she might have been a victim of the latest TikTok challenge.
“[The police officer] he said “all the Hyundais and Kias are gone, they keep getting stolen,” he said.
Once inside, the thieves use a USB cable to connect the car.
Galeckas’ insurance company, USAA, told him they would pay him what his car was worth, and they also paid for a temporary rental car.
But because the trend has gone viral, two of the nation’s top insurance providers, State Farm and Progressive, are halting new insurance policies for certain Hyundai and Kia makes and models.
CBS13 reached out to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, but they were unable to provide information on Galeckas’ case. But they say they are aware of the trend.
