Several customers at a supermarket on the outskirts of Sant Antoni experienced problems with their car remote controls on Monday evening, October 5, prompting concerns that a frequency jammer may have been operating nearby.

The incident occurred at around 20:00, during a busy period for supermarket shopping. According to accounts published by Noudiari, several people found that their remote controls were not responding when they tried to lock or unlock their vehicles.

There is currently no confirmation that a jammer was actually being used, or that a theft took place at the supermarket.

Several Cars Affected at the Same Time

One woman initially thought that the battery in her car key had run out when the remote failed to respond.

She manually opened the vehicle using the key and later encountered a friend who told her he had experienced the same problem when trying to lock his own car.

Two other people nearby were reportedly experiencing similar difficulties with their vehicles.

One of those present suggested that the simultaneous failures could be caused by a frequency jammer. He also said that he had previously been the victim of a theft from a vehicle in Ibiza that he believed involved the same technique.

Shortly afterwards, the remote controls reportedly began working again.

The circumstances led those present to suspect that an external source could have been interfering with the signals, although there was no independent confirmation that a jammer was responsible.

How a Frequency Jammer Can Affect a Car

A frequency jammer can interfere with the radio signal sent by a vehicle's remote control.

When a driver presses the locking button, the signal normally tells the vehicle to lock. If that signal is blocked, the driver may believe the car has been secured when the doors have actually remained unlocked.

This type of interference is different from a relay attack, which can involve capturing or amplifying the signal from a keyless vehicle key.

The two techniques should therefore not be treated as the same type of attack.

No Recent Police Report Confirming Such a Theft

The distinction is particularly important in this case.

Noudiari reports that Policía Nacional in Ibiza had not recently received reports of vehicle thefts involving frequency jammers.

The supermarket itself also declined to comment or provide information about its car park for security reasons.

As a result, there is currently no verified evidence that a theft occurred during Monday evening's incident or that a criminal was operating a jammer at the supermarket.

The reports from customers are enough to raise a concern, but they do not establish what caused the interference.

Previous Concerns in Ibiza

The use of signal interference in vehicle-related thefts has been reported as a concern in Ibiza before.

Noudiari also refers to reports from previous years, including an audio circulated in April 2023 concerning a suspected attempt to use this type of technique in Ibiza Town.

A separate August 2026 report described a couple who discovered after leaving the area that money had been taken from their vehicle at the Lidl car park in Figueretes. That case was also reported as an alleged theft involving an inhibitor, based on the account provided by a friend of the affected couple.

These previous reports show that the technique is a known concern, but they do not confirm that Monday's supermarket incident was connected to a theft.

How Drivers Can Protect Themselves

The simplest precaution is to physically check that the vehicle has locked.

If a remote control suddenly fails to work, drivers should avoid assuming immediately that the key battery is the problem. Checking the door manually can establish whether the vehicle has actually locked.

Drivers can also:

• Use the vehicle's physical key if the remote does not respond.

• Check the door handle after locking to make sure it is secured.

• Avoid leaving bags, luggage or valuables visible inside the vehicle.

• Pay attention if the remote suddenly stops working in a particular location.

• Report suspicious activity to the police and the establishment concerned.

For vehicles using keyless systems, Faraday pouches can also be used to reduce the risk of certain forms of signal interception when the key is stored.

A Warning, Not a Confirmed Crime

The incident at the Sant Antoni supermarket is therefore best understood as a warning for drivers rather than a confirmed case of a vehicle theft using a jammer.

Several customers reportedly experienced similar remote-control problems at approximately the same time, but there is currently no official confirmation that a frequency jammer caused the interference.

For drivers in Ibiza, the practical lesson is straightforward: if the remote does not respond as expected, check the vehicle manually before walking away.

A car that does not visibly lock should not be assumed to be secure.