CATA News

This week’s vandalism at three dealerships in Schaumburg is a good reminder for dealers to share the details of the crimes they are experiencing so the CATA can keep other dealers informed about the latest tactics from thieves and other criminals.  "Obviously, we shouldn’t the first call when you are dealing with this type of crime, but please let us know within the first 24 hours and we’ll share details with other dealers so they can be prepared," says CATA President, Dave Sloan.

Karianne Thomas, Director of Security at Ziegler Automotive says such communication is key to bringing this this crime wave to an end.  "The more resistance we are able to mount, the sooner the bad guys will stop targeting dealerships," she said.  Thomas spent 30 years in law enforcement before she was hired by Ziegler last year.

Dealers who are crime victims should report details to the CATA by email or phone as soon as possible.  Email Dave Sloan at dsloan@Drivechicago.com or call (430) 495-2282.

The Federal Trade Commission's updated Safeguards Rule took effect last month. Dealerships and other financial institutions will need to comply with its major provisions by Dec. 9. The new rule addresses topics similar to the old version, but it removes some of the ambiguity of the original.

Under the amended Safeguards Rule, which is mandated by Congress under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, dealerships will be expected to:

• Appoint a "qualified individual" to oversee, implement and enforce the information security program and submit an annual written report to the board of directors or governing body.
• Prepare a written risk assessment that can be used to evaluate and identify security risks periodically.
• Encrypt all customer information, both at rest and in transit over external networks.*
• Require multifactor authentication "whenever any individual — employee, customer or otherwise — accesses an information system."*
• Implement policies and procedures for monitoring and logging the activity of authorized users and detecting unauthorized access to, use of or tampering with customer data by those users.
• Perform annual penetration tests and biannual vulnerability assessments.
• Ensure personnel are able to enact the information security program by providing security awareness training and other training programs that are updated as necessary.
• Oversee and monitor service providers, and assess those providers after onboarding.
• Adopt a written incident response plan.

For more information visit this article on Automotive News: https://www.autonews.com/finance-insurance/dealerships-other-financial-institutions-must-reach-full-compliance-ftc.

The Cook County Sheriff's office has developed a consent form for dealers and vehicle buyers that will allow law enforcement to access data location information for the described vehicle from the relevant car company if the car has been unlawfully taken and such information is available. Swift access to such information can help law enforcement recover the vehicle.

Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced legislation requiring auto manufacturers to create a 24/7 recovery hotline to help law enforcement quickly track stolen vehicles. The inability for law enforcement to access tracking information in real time after a carjacking makes it difficult to catch offenders and prevent the vehicle from being used in additional crimes. Currently, each auto manufacturer has their own process for obtaining such existing information, often causing unnecessary delays. Under the legislation, law enforcement can obtain this information, if the owner consents, when a vehicle has been carjacked or is being used in the commission of other violent crimes.

For more information, please visit https://suburbanchicagoland.com/2022/04/06/sheriff-dart-announces-anti-carjacking-legislation/.

The consent form and safety tips are available on the Sheriff’s Office website. Click here for the form: https://www.cookcountysheriff.org/departments/c-c-s-p-d/carjacking/.

The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) has selected Vitu as its endorsed Electronic Registration and Title (ERT) partner for the association’s more than 400 franchised, new-car dealer members in the Chicagoland area. Vitu’s innovative ERT platform provides a best-in-class in-state and out-of-state titling and registration solution combined with its award-winning customer service.

"We took great care in selecting Vitu as CATA’s preferred ERT solution partner. Following an evaluation of all providers in the market, it became clear why an increasing number of our dealers are choosing Vitu’s innovative technology and comprehensive dealer support system," said Kevin Keefe, CATA chairman. "Vitu's commitment to serving dealers' interests will take this partnership to a new level as we work together to continuously improve the Vitu platform and ancillary services and also introduce new title and registration training opportunities for our dealers."

Vitu pioneered an advanced vehicle registration solution, focused on streamlining operations between the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS), Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) and dealerships. Accomplishing this kind of industry-wide change required an in-depth understanding of the needs of each stakeholder, as well as a thorough knowledge of tax, titling and registration regulations. Recent rapid gains in market share prove that Vitu’s inclusive approach is right on target.

"One of Vitu's core beliefs is that a deep partnership with every stakeholder – from the dealers to our association partners to the SOS/IDOR – is crucial to the overall success of the program. We are grateful to enter into a partnership with an organization that carries the same values. Vitu and CATA both believe in excellence in every part of the ecosystem," said Joe Nemelka, chief operations officer/EVP at Vitu. "In partnering with CATA, we look forward to leveraging our combined skills to strengthen the public/private partnership model and support Chicagoland dealers with innovations that create efficiencies throughout the dealership."

For more information about the partnership with ViTu contact Dave Sloan at (630) 424-6055 or dsloan@drivechicago.com.

To arrange for a sale presentation contact Randy Skolnick, Senior Sales Representative VITU-Illinois, at (818) 299-3269
or rskolnick@vitu.com.

On Tuesday, March 29, the CATA hosted a seminar focusing on recent vehicle thefts at new-car dealerships. Presenting were Karianne Thomas, Director of Security for the Zeigler Auto Group; Joshua Mailey, President and Security Consultant for Signal 88 Security; Adam Broshous, Lieutenant Illinois Secretary of State Police and Deputy Director Illinois Statewide Auto Theft Task Force; and Roe Conn, Senior Project Manager for the Cook County Sheriff’s office.

The panel discussed the recent spike in vehicle thefts from new-car dealerships, efforts that can be made to reduce thefts and what to do if a theft happens at your dealership. The CATA recorded the seminar, but because of the sensitive topics discussed, it will only be available to members upon request. Requests for the video and presentations can be made to Mark Bilek, Senior Director of Communications & Technology at the CATA.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• How to best protect your vehicles at your dealership and reduce the risk of theft
• How to properly respond to theft attempts
• What to do in the event of a vehicle theft
• Additional government resources beyond your local police department

YOU GET HIT: NOW WHAT?

• As soon as cars are stolen, dealers need to notify local municipality and then second call is to ISATT (708-740-0425). Ensure law enforcement clears the scene.
• Report dealer plate number AND the letter associated with that plate.
• Dealers need to keep record and track what plate is on what vehicle.
• Report it stolen and get correct VIN # into the system. Then as soon as VIN # hits the system, the ISATT is notified.
• Are keys with or without the vehicle – important to know this.
• For test drives, get a clear colored copy of Government Issued ID because enforcers can use this to identify the thieves. Secondary ID is also crucial.
• Dealerships to get cameras like Flock, Genetec or Vigilant systems – as they integrate with local law enforcements.
• Ensure dealers don’t make contact with the thieves or try to scare them off.
• Lock down the lot.
• Help track if factory or aftermarket is available on any or all missing vehicles.
• Don’t assume the thieves won’t come back: When an attack happens, the next attack could come within hours. Attacks that come overnight, could now come in the day. Making sure to identify people who come in for test drives, make that info available to law enforcement.

KEY CONTACTS

• Joshua Mailey, Signal 88 security, 847-456-0689 or jmailey@signal88.com
• ISATT (Illinois Secretary of State Police), 708-740-0425

On Tuesday, March 29, the CATA hosted a seminar focusing on recent vehicle thefts at new-car dealerships. Presenting were Karianne Thomas, Director of Security for the Zeigler Auto Group; Joshua Mailey, President and Security Consultant for Signal 88 Security; Adam Broshous, Lieutenant Illinois Secretary of State Police and Deputy Director Illinois Statewide Auto Theft Task Force; and Roe Conn, Senior Project Manager for the Cook County Sheriff’s office.

The panel discussed the recent spike in vehicle thefts from new-car dealerships, efforts that can be made to reduce thefts and what to do if a theft happens at your dealership. The CATA recorded the seminar, but because of the sensitive topics discussed, it will only be available to members upon request. Requests for the video and presentations can be made to Mark Bilek, Senior Director of Communications & Technology at the CATA.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• How to best protect your vehicles at your dealership and reduce the risk of theft
• How to properly respond to theft attempts
• What to do in the event of a vehicle theft
• Additional government resources beyond your local police department

YOU GET HIT: NOW WHAT?

• As soon as cars are stolen, dealers need to notify local municipality and then second call is to ISATT (708-740-0425). Ensure law enforcement clears the scene.
• Report dealer plate number AND the letter associated with that plate.
• Dealers need to keep record and track what plate is on what vehicle.
• Report it stolen and get correct VIN # into the system. Then as soon as VIN # hits the system, the ISATT is notified.
• Are keys with or without the vehicle – important to know this.
• For test drives, get a clear colored copy of Government Issued ID because enforcers can use this to identify the thieves. Secondary ID is also crucial.
• Dealerships to get cameras like Flock, Genetec or Vigilant systems – as they integrate with local law enforcements.
• Ensure dealers don’t make contact with the thieves or try to scare them off.
• Lock down the lot.
• Help track if factory or aftermarket is available on any or all missing vehicles.
• Don’t assume the thieves won’t come back: When an attack happens, the next attack could come within hours. Attacks that come overnight, could now come in the day. Making sure to identify people who come in for test drives, make that info available to law enforcement.

KEY CONTACTS

• Joshua Mailey, Signal 88 security, 847-456-0689 or jmailey@signal88.com
• ISATT (Illinois Secretary of State Police), 708-740-0425