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Theft Alarm Notification* is a feature within the Stolen Vehicle Assistance* suite of services from OnStar,^®available on most 2014 model year and newer vehicles with an active OnStar Safety & Security Plan (or Essentials and Premium bundles, which include Safety & Security). If someone attempts to steal or tamper with your vehicle when it’s armed/locked, a notification will be sent to you based on your communication preferences and your vehicle capability.  

A Theft Alarm Notification will be sent to you, providing you with early notification that may increase the chances of recovering your vehicle or personal property by working with local law enforcement and OnStar. 

In order to receive Theft Alarm Notification, you will need to complete the following steps:

1. Confirm your vehicle is compatible with Theft Alarm Notification by visiting your GM Account or by speaking with an Advisor by pushing the blue OnStar button in your vehicle.
2. Ensure you are enrolled in an eligible OnStar plan. Theft Alarm Notification is available in the Safety & Security Plan and the Essentials and Premium bundles.
3. Set up your notification preference (e.g., text message, email) for receiving notifications on your GM Account or through an Advisor.
4. Every time you leave your vehicle, arm it by electronically locking your vehicle via the power door lock button or your Remote Key Fob or by using your vehicle mobile app* remote door lock feature.
    

For more information about plan options, visit our Plans & Pricing page.

Most 2014 model year and newer vehicles are compatible with Theft Alarm Notification. Your vehicle must have a GM factory-installed theft-deterrent system and you must have an active service plan and be enrolled to receive alerts. Every time you leave your vehicle, you should arm it by electronically locking your vehicle via the power door lock button or your Remote Key Fob or by using the remote lock feature on your vehicle mobile app (if supported by your service plan). 

If an equipped vehicle sensor is triggered (e.g., door ajar), a Theft Alarm Notification will be sent according to the notification preferences on your account.

A Theft Alarm Notification can be sent via email or text message to the contact phone number on file in your account. You can select one or both options or turn them both off if you no longer want to receive Theft Alarm Notification alerts. Text message* and email alerts will be selected as the default when you initially enrol in Theft Alarm Notification. If you need help setting up your preferences, contact an Advisor for assistance. 

If you would like to enrol or unenrol from Theft Alarm Notification, you can contact OnStar Customer Service at (888) 466-7827 and ask to speak with the Member Services Team.

If your vehicle has been stolen or tampered with, file a police report and let them know you have OnStar enabled. If your vehicle has been stolen, the authorities can work with OnStar to help locate your vehicle and, in some cases, use Remote Ignition Block™* or Stolen Vehicle Slowdown,^®* which are other services within the Stolen Vehicle Assistance suite of services.

After you receive a Theft Alarm Notification and file a report to law enforcement, Once law enforcement confirms your vehicle has been stolen, OnStar Advisors can utilize GPS technology to help authorities locate your vehicle and, when conditions are appropriate, remotely slow it down.

Most insurance companies require a police report for vehicle damage or personal property theft. If your vehicle has been tampered with, contact local law enforcement to file a report and then contact your insurance company. In addition, contact OnStar to report the incident.

The alert may specify the exact vehicle sensor that was triggered. There are two types of theft alerts: 

1. Content theft: This alert may indicate a content theft occurred if the vehicle’s alarm system was triggered when an attempt was made to enter the vehicle. (Note: An alarm system consists of many theft sensors that trigger and cause the alarm to go off. The vehicle must be armed electronically to enable the alarm system.)
2. Vehicle theft: This alert occurs when tampering is detected with the vehicle’s key cylinder. This can be triggered by an invalid key, screwdriver, foreign key fob or no key detected when trying to start the vehicle. The alarm does not sound with this type of theft event because it isn’t tied to the vehicle’s alarm system.
   
   

Most Theft Alarm Notification alerts are for content theft, as they rely on theft sensors. Vehicle theft events do not occur with newer keyless start vehicles, since a thief can force the vehicle into NEUTRAL. 

Some vehicles have a “key learning” theft trigger, which will not sound the vehicle alarm when activated. The “key learning” theft notification is triggered when someone has made a copy of a valid key. If you requested to have a duplicate key made, the duplication process may trigger a notification to you.  

A Theft Alarm Notification may also have been sent in error if your vehicle’s theft sensors were triggered without sounding the alert (e.g., someone or something bumped into your vehicle around a trigger point).  

If your alarm was accidentally triggered and there is no problem with your vehicle, a Stolen Vehicle Assistance Advisor can reset the alert on your account and answer any further questions you may have. You can also open the text message notification you received and select the option to report it as a false alarm. 

If you receive a Theft Alarm Notification and are unable to turn off the notification, contact OnStar Customer Service at 1.888.466.7827 and ask to speak with the Member Services Team. 

No. If your vehicle’s valid key/key fob is used to access and drive it, you would not receive a Theft Alarm Notification in that case. The Theft Alarm Notification system has no way to detect who is driving away with valid keys. Therefore, in this situation, please contact your local law enforcement agency and then contact OnStar.