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Social media has its advantages, to keep you informed of staying connected with friends and family. Tiktok is one of the mostPopular platforms Now, amassing1.4 billion users worldwide. With so many users, ideas and trends are capable of circulating quickly and even "becoming viral". And although some trends have motivated people to collect fun hobs like baking bread or get in shape, others can cause more harm. Now, a Tiktok trend has led to a car flight peak, according to the police across the country. Read the rest to find out if your vehicle could be targeted and what you can do to protect yourself.

Read this then:If you see this while you are driving, call 911 immediately, the police warn.

Tiktok trends also include "challenges", a subset of trends where users themselves film a certain task or action. Earlier this summer, Green Bay police, Wisconsin, issued a warning on one of these challenges that involved a realistic appearancesplashing pistols. As part of the challenge, splashing pistols of frost were used toShoot others from cars And the balconies reported ABC30 Action News.

Both dangerous and illegal, the police urged parents to be aware of these toy guns, because "they can still cause injury or damage," said Green Bay police. In Clovis, California, an 18 -year -old was arrested after shooting a freezing pastoral in a vehicle by driving in a parking lot, and in another case, a teenager in Jackson, Mississippi, was killed in a "Prank went wrong“Implying one of these weapons.

Another Tiktok challenge now supports the police, and this time, social media users seem to intentionally cause damage.

The police at the national level warn the public of an increase in the flights of cars, which according to them, is due to a Tiktok trend which demonstrates how simple cars are to fly. According to WPXI-TV, the trend is mainly carried out by adolescents, whichUse USB cables To start and steal vehicles.

"You have heard ofAll these challenges, things that are very dangerous, "Jesse Minton, the spokesperson for the Arlington Police Service in Texas, told ABC WFAA's subsidiary.

In a movement that seems to be counterintuitive, thieves will actually film cars and publish them on Tiktok. "They get, you know, Cred Street and aa little attention, "SergeantCody Lance of the Saint Petersburg police service in FloridaTampa Bay Times.

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The police that certain brands are targeted, namely Kia and Hyundai vehicles. According toMiami Herald, the Tiktok trend has been nicknamed the "Kia Challenge" and vehicles have recently been stolen in several states, including Kentucky, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Minnesota and Virginia. The trend started in Milwaukee, but thanks to social media, other parts of the country have now seen crimes of copying.

"A collaborative group has started in Milwaukee, and it spreads through the country where they are able to take these vehicles simply using a mobile phone loading cable and using this to start the vehicle", "Tom Huerbin, Pittsburgh Police Sergeant told WPXI-TV, noting that more than 15,000 vehicles had been stolen in the Milwaukee region.

In Norfolk, Virginia, a35% increase In the flights of Kia and Hyundai was seen between July 1 and July 17, the Norfolk Police Service (NPD) confirmed to the Wavy presentiment. In Pittsburgh, 15 vehicles were stolen using USB cables, against five which were reported in June, Huerbin told WPXI-TV. "So, obviously, it is increasing in the region here, so it's a certain concern," he said. "And we want to make people know."AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

Hyundai and Kia have published declarations on the rise in flights, the two manufacturers adding that their vehicles "respect or exceed federal safety vehicle safety standards", according to theMiami Heraldand wpxi-tv.

"The safety and well-being of our customers and the community are and will remain our top priority," said Hyundai's declaration. Kia has confirmed that since the 2022 model year, "all KIA vehicles have an adjusted engine asset as standard", while Hyundai said that all their "new" vehicles have these immobilizers as "standard equipment".

Tiktok also responded to concerns about the trend, declaring: "The content that promotes or allows criminal activity, including theft, is contrary to our community guidelines and will be deleted from the platform", according to theMiami Herald. If you use Tiktok and see one of these videos, you should alsoreport them By clicking on the white arrow to the right of the video, then selecting "report" and "illegal activities" as reason, according toNowsweek.

Read this then:Do not fill your fuel tank without doing this first, the police now warn.

Police services ask the owners of cars to know these challenges, in particular those who lead new Kia and Hyundai models.Kia vehicles Made after 2015 and Hyundai vehicles manufactured after 2011 are at risk, according to the NPD (via Wavy), because they have a "vulnerability" which allows thieves to start them with a USB cord after having removed the steering column.

In addition to general security practices such as parking your car in well -lit areas and keeping your doors locked at any time, the police ask you to take additional caution by investing in a steering wheel lock or a camera security. You can also try to park your car closer to your home, Minton told WFAA, and avoid leaving your keys in the car or running when you are not there.

Kia and Hyundai said toMiami Herald That customers can contact them with questions and concerns. You can reach KIA customer service at 1-800-333-4552, and you can call Hyundai customer service at 800-633-5151.