Can ETC Be Stolen When Plugged in the Car?
2 Answers
ETC cannot be stolen when plugged in the car. ETC uses automatic vehicle identification technology to establish wireless data communication between the vehicle and the toll station, enabling automatic vehicle sensing and identification as well as the exchange of relevant toll data. It employs computer networks to process toll data, achieving a fully automatic electronic toll collection system without the need to stop or set up toll booths. The installation method for ETC is as follows: 1. Peel off the double-sided adhesive plastic film on the back of the ETC device and stick it to the position behind the rearview mirror on the upper part of the windshield; 2. Press firmly for about 10 seconds after sticking it; 3. Insert the card into the ETC device and then remove it, repeating this process several times to complete the installation.
As a frequent highway driver, I must remind you that there are two types of ETC cards. The early co-branded cards with UnionPay QuickPass functionality could indeed be wirelessly skimmed by special devices, but only for small payments from the card's built-in e-wallet. Nowadays, the standard ETC-only cards issued by banks have long disabled the contactless payment feature—when inserted in the vehicle, they're essentially just plastic pieces. Our transport fleet installed new devices with anti-tamper switches last year; once removed, they automatically lock, rendering them useless even if someone smashes the window to steal them. If you're still concerned, I simply remove the card and store it in the glove compartment when parked for over three days—after all, toll stations can now scan license plates for payment, so there's no need to keep it inserted all the time.
