Abstract: A vehicle alarm system comprising a remote control for activation and deactivation of the alarm system, a multiplicity of sensors for detecting an alarm event, a siren, and a control unit which comprise monitoring circuitry for monitoring the multiplicity of sensors, a receiver for receiving signals from the remote control, an activation and deactivation circuit for activating and deactivating the vehicle alarm system based on signals from the receiver, a cellular telephone interface unit, and an alarm triggering unit, whereupon the detection of an alarm event from one of the multiplicity of sensors, the control unit activates the siren through the alarm triggering unit, and whereupon the detection of an alarm event from one of the multiplicity of sensors, the control unit, through the cellular telephone interface unit, calls a telephone number of a user; and whereupon the detection of an alarm event from one of the multiplicity of sensors, the control unit signals to the user the cause of the alarm event.