The legend of the GPS key fob is as old as the Internet itself. And despite numerous refutations, it keeps popping up.
Here at Mimikama we first reported on this hoax in 2012 and now, in July 2023, this legend seems to be experiencing something of a rebirth as we are receiving many new inquiries about it.

The resurrected hoax
This persistent hoax claims that criminals hand out free key fobs at gas stations into which they secretly install GPS chips. In this way, they should be able to locate their victims, determine their place of residence and break in while they are away. This hoax has increasingly appeared on social media platforms such as Facebook in recent weeks and has triggered a new wave of concern and uncertainty. But is there really anything to the story?
The truth behind the legend
The truth is that this hoax has been around for many years and has been debunked numerous times. The origin of the story lies in an advertising campaign by the South African gas station chain Caltex in 2008, in which key rings were distributed as promotional gifts. Rumors quickly emerged that these key fobs could contain a hidden GPS chip. That was the beginning of a legend that eventually spread from the USA to Germany and Austria.
Why the hoax lives on
The main reason this hoax has survived for so long is probably due to the fact that it speaks to deep-seated fears and concerns. The idea that criminals could use GPS technology to spy on us has strong resonance at a time when privacy and surveillance have become important issues.
The dynamics of social media also play a role. The rapid spread of information – and misinformation – in the digital age means that a hoax, even if it has been debunked several times, can still resurface.
Conclusion: old hoax revived
The story of the GPS key fobs at gas stations is a classic example of a hoax that keeps popping up, no matter how many times it's been debunked.
We at Mimikama always strive to uncover such false reports and get to the bottom of the truth. It is important to question such stories critically and to obtain information from trustworthy sources. This is the only way we can be sure that we are not being exposed to false information. And this is the only way we can take the wind out of the sails of fears and worries.
This might also interest you:
The 225,000 euro phishing lure: How fraudsters outsmarted the Saxon Ministry of Social Affairs
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

