A Bronx woman told News 12 she has had two Hyundai cars stolen from her within a matter of days, and she’s worried that she’s one of the latest victims in a TikTok theft trend.  

Esmeralda Surita didn’t know people were documenting stealing Hyundais and Kias despite the trend gaining traction for months. 

On Feb. 21, Surita’s family woke up to find their car missing. A few days later, she got notice from Hyundai that there was an anti-theft software upgrade for both her vehicles in response to the growing social media car theft trend.  

On Feb. 28, Surita left to take her second Hyundai to get the anti-theft update. When she woke up at 5 a.m., her second car was missing.  

She filed police reports on both incidents, but there are currently no leads on the location of the vehicles or who stole them.  

Surita wants to know why she only got notice of the software upgrade last week if the trend has gone on for months.  

“Someone has to be liable for this,” said Surita. “Someone has to take accountability.” 

While she waits to get her vehicles back and justice to be served, Surita is now in need of a rental car because she uses her car for work and to bring her son to day care. She says her insurance is not covering the rental costs, making it a massive financial burden.  

News 12 asked Hyundai if they planned to give any compensation for the ongoing thefts, and a press representative told News 12 about the free software upgrade offered in response to the trend.