NORTH CAROLINA -- Electronics left in your car may be sending signals to thieves.

Laptops, smart phones, watches, or any device using Bluetooth sends out signals cybersecurity experts say can be tracked by criminals looking to break into cars.

“Now [a thief] can tell there’s a watch sitting in there, there’s a laptop sitting in there. And now [a criminal] can be very strategic about which cars I'm going to go after,” cybersecurity expert Doug Cassle said. 

The easiest way to stop someone from finding your electronic devices is not leaving any inside your car.

If you do, though, turn them off. Even if the device is in sleep mode, it can send out a Bluetooth signal.

“The Bluetooth is still calling out, letting people know, ‘Hey I’m a laptop hidden under your chair, under your sweater or something,' ” Cassle said.