Key chain alert making way around state

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A key chain crook alert is making its way across New Mexico. But after a closer look, KRQE News 13 discovered what you need to know.

“We actually got an email from a law enforcement agency warning us of this scam,” UNM Police Lt. Robert Haarhues said.

The alert says criminals are handing key chains out at gas stations and parking lots. Inside, a GPS tracker they use to see when you're home or not.

The alert was recently passed on by a tri-state crime prevention group that monitors criminal trends.

A department of health official even sent out an email saying APD had sent the alert, but APD had not.

There were even claims that the GPS key chains had been handed out on UNM’s campus and that a professor had figured out the ruse and gathered some of the key chains up.

Haarhues says they immediately looked into it.

“It's better to be safe than sorry,” Haahues said.

A Google search shows this is most likely a hoax that started five years ago and halfway around the world.

“The whole thing doesn't really make sense for someone to spend all of that money on the technology when they could just follow you from where you are at,” Haarhues said. “Or if they are going to carjack you they are going to carjack you right there they are not going to wait until you go all the way home.”

The health department has even sent a retraction email.

Haarhues says even though they don't believe this key chain trick is really going on, if you are unsure of something you have been given recently,” Contact their local police agency and have them look at the key chain and see if there is any merit.”