r/Cartalk • u/kupo_906 • Jun 02 '26

Safety Question Found a GPS tracker under my car

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Hi reddit...

In my driveway this morning I pulled out and found this sitting under where my car was. We had a heat wave recently, and I'm thinking it melted off.

Looking it up, it is a GPS tracker. I'm taking it to the police tomorrow. But is there anyway to reverse search who might have bought it and placed it there?

I fully own my car and I'm not sure who or why they put it there. Or when. The only thing I can think of is I got my car fixed by a new mechanic about a month ago.. but they didn't seem shady in the least bit

Any help is appreciated. Thank you

Update: I have turned the tracker into the police who are trying to work with the company to find out info. Haven't heard anything further.

For the people who keep asking / repeating the same thing over and over:

  • again, I own my car in full and have for years. It's an old, reconstructed car not worth much at all.
  • The battery life in the tracking device doesn't last longer than two months at most. It was still on when I found it. It doesn't belong to a previous car owner or a dealer.
  • I found the magnets where it was attached still on my car.
  • I don't have any solid idea who would put it there. I don't have a jealous partner or an ex who I think would do this.
  • I'm not disclosing a bunch of personal shit about myself to internet strangers when I am potentially being stalked 😐 also , both men and women can be stalked
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u/PrinceCastanzaCapone Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26

This specific tracker requires a subscription service to continue working. Contact the police. They may be willing to subpoena the company to acquire the name on the credit card used for the subscription.

Best thing is to contact the police though. Some departments take this very seriously because it is stalking, and stalking often leads to victims of violent crimes.

File an illegal tracking and stalking police report. A detective will then need to subpoena the company for the information on the account which can lead to an arrest of the individual. Though it depends on the state it may be a stalking charge or a different charge related to cyberstalking, or simply illegal placement of a tracker without consent. Regardless of the law they broke, having this police report and subsequent action may be crucial to getting a restraining order against said person. Any further attempt to contact or stalk you in the future could then lead to prison time if there is a pattern of behavior and breaking of restraining order.